Bride cautions others before wedding day about risky beauty treatments: 'Pain wasn't worth it'

A bride-to-be who wanted to look "like a princess" on her wedding day ended up looking far worse than that after a severe allergic reaction to a fake eyelash treatment.

Polly Bibby, 26, an illustrator, decided to try classic eyelash extensions ahead of her big day compared to her usual minimal makeup look.

She had a patch test done, she said, according to Kennedy News & Media — and since she suffered no reaction, she went ahead with the procedure in early July, before her wedding day.

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After getting the treatment done — which cost her about $88, she said — she was initially happy with her "dressier" appearance.

Just a few hours after the appointment, however, her eyes became watery and sore. She shrugged it off as symptoms of hay fever.

But when her eyes started to sting and then stick together due to a yellow discharge, alarm bells began going off. She called an urgent care medical line and was advised to head to the nearest hospital emergency room.

A shocking photo shows her red, raw and swollen eyes. After being seen by a nurse in the eye unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Hinchingbrooke, Cambridge, it was confirmed she'd suffered an allergic reaction to the eyelash extensions.

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She was given a course of antibiotics and antihistamines, and told to wait three days for the swelling to go down before getting the false lashes removed.

"To keep the eyes safe, [artificial] lashes should be applied by an experienced aesthetician in a sanitary setting, with chemicals that are safe for your skin," said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., a board-certified ophthalmologist in Nashville, in a statement on the American Academy of Ophthalmology website.

"The procedure does come with risks, namely trauma to or infection of the eyelid or cornea; allergic reaction to the glue; and permanent or temporary loss of eyelashes."

Infection can also result, Taylor said, from inadequate hygiene in the salon or damage to the eye during application. 

Even though her skin is now slowly healing, Bibby of Cambridgeshire, in the United Kingdom, feared her eyes would still be red by the time she said "I do" to her to 29-year-old fiancé, Benjamin May. 

She said she's been sharing her experience to warn other brides about getting certain treatments so close to their big day.

"I don't wear that much makeup," she told Kennedy News & Media. "Getting married is the biggest day of your life, so I just wanted to test out different makeup and actually feel like a princess for the day."

She said it was a trial for her wedding, as she'd "never had my eyelashes done before."

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About four or five hours after the appointment, her partner looked at her eyes, she said, and thought they were a little red.

"By that evening, they had gone red, raw and were stinging. The only way I can describe [how I looked] is the man from 'The Goonies' with the big puffy eyes called Sloth. I just didn't look like myself. I looked like a different person."

She said her eyes were "burning," and "it got to the point where I was losing my vision and I couldn't see at all."

Every time she blinked, she said, her "eyes were sticking together as I had discharge building up [in] my eyes ... a sticky yellow discharge pretty similar to when babies have conjunctivitis."

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She said the medical staff who treated her were "quite taken back and shocked by it."

During the removal of the false lashes, she said it felt like "acid was being poured onto her face."

She said, "I was screaming, crying and tensing up. My eyes are still red, scabby and very 'rashy.' The eyelids themselves are really swollen, and I've still got quite blurry vision."

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She also said, "When people joke around and say things [can] go wrong [on your wedding day] — I didn't realize it would happen to me."

Ahead of her wedding, she said, "I won't be getting eyelash extensions for the big day. Going through that pain was not worth it. If I knew in hindsight, I'd just use mascara."

She added, "I'd hate for anyone else to go through this."

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Fitness expert reveals one simple exercise for a stronger core — and it’s not a sit-up

Strengthening the core improves balance and stability, which supports movement and physical performance, experts say.

While traditional abdominal exercises can be effective, one yoga pose may offer added benefits. Boat pose, or Navasana, forms the body into a "V" and challenges multiple muscles involved in core stability.

Melissa Leach, a certified yoga instructor and strength and conditioning coach in Philadelphia, said a strong core provides a foundation for both exercise and everyday movement.

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"Ab exercises help support that by strengthening key muscles such as the obliques, lower back, and deep stabilizers like the transverse abdominis," she told Fox News Digital.

"Together, these muscles work to stabilize your spine, creating a strong foundation for movement and allowing you to transfer force more efficiently between your upper and lower body."

Many routine activities, from carrying groceries to getting up from a chair, engage the core muscles to stabilize the trunk, maintain balance and support controlled movement.

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A strong core can also help reduce the risk of lower back pain by improving stability in the spine and ensuring control during lifting and other physically demanding movements, the expert said.

"While injury risk isn’t determined by core strength alone, a well-conditioned core provides a stable foundation for movement in everyday life," she noted.

Boat pose challenges the ab muscles while also engaging the hip flexors, glutes and back, according to Leach. This helps to build functional core strength rather than just targeting a single muscle group.

Compared to the traditional sit-up, which is carried out in "one plane of motion," the boat pose requires the entire core to "work together to keep you balanced and lifted, which places greater demands on core stability, balance and control," Leach said.

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"Whether you're holding the pose or moving dynamically, you're training the muscles that stabilize your spine and pelvis, rather than primarily strengthening the muscles required for trunk flexion, as a sit-up does," she went on. 

"Both have their place, but boat pose challenges the core to work as an integrated system rather than focusing on one movement pattern."

The pose develops both stability and muscular endurance, according to Leach.

"The position requires your deep core muscles, the ones that support your spine and pelvis, to stay engaged throughout," she said. "Over time, this can translate into better posture, a stronger lower back and a core that supports everyday movement."

Leach shared the following steps for performing the boat pose safely and with proper form.

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Those looking to make the exercise more dynamic can move in and out of the pose rather than holding it, the expert said.

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For beginners, Leach recommended some modifications.

Those who struggle with balance and maintaining a straight spine can sit on a folded blanket or cushion to help tilt the pelvis forward, Leach suggested.

Another option is to sit with the back a few inches from the wall "for reassurance," she said, "while still allowing enough space for you to perform the crunching movement without hitting your head."

For seniors or anyone with limited core strength, Leach recommends trying a chair-supported version. Sit toward the front edge of a sturdy chair, hold the sides for support, and lean back slightly while lifting one or both feet a few inches off the floor.

"This builds the same engagement without the demand of balancing unsupported, and you can progress to the floor version once you feel steadier," she advised.

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Biden's battle with advancing cancer renews focus on prostate disease

Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread further since his diagnosis last year, his son Hunter Biden revealed in a BBC interview that aired Friday.

"The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further," Hunter Biden told BBC Newsnight, describing his father’s condition as "very painful" and "very debilitating in many respects."

"It’s really sad to watch," the younger Biden went on. "The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good."

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Biden, 83, announced his diagnosis in May 2025, after news that a "small nodule" had been found in the former president's prostate during a routine exam.

"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management," his office said at the time. "The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."

Biden later underwent hormone therapy and radiation treatment, completing a course of radiation at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia in October 2025, according to the former president's spokesperson.

In addition to hormone therapy, common treatment options for prostate cancer include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiopharmaceutical treatments.

Fox News Digital reached out to Biden's office for comment.

Prostate cancer is a disease found in men that develops in the prostate gland. Cases have been on the rise in recent years, with overall incidence increasing about 3% annually from 2014 through 2021, according to the American Cancer Society.

Rates of advanced-stage prostate cancer rose about 5% per year during that period.

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About 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026, and about 36,320 men are expected to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, the same source stated.

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Older men are at a higher risk of the disease, with six in 10 cases diagnosed in patients 65 and older. The average age at diagnosis is 67, with men under 40 rarely affected.

Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men, behind only skin cancer, the ACS noted.

Among men who undergo routine prostate cancer screening, the disease is usually caught early before symptoms emerge, per the ACS.

Typical early symptoms include problems urinating, a weak or slow urinary stream or an increased need to urinate. Some men may also notice blood in the urine or bodily fluids.

More advanced symptoms may occur after the disease has spread. Those may include pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs) or other areas, the ACS stated.

Men may also suffer from erectile dysfunction, weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force states that men aged 55 to 69 years should have the option to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening to monitor for prostate cancer.

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"Before deciding whether to be screened, men should have an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with their clinician and to incorporate their values and preferences in the decision," the USPSTF states.

While screening offers a "small potential benefit" of reducing the chances of dying from the disease, the agency noted that some men may experience negative effects, including false-positive results, overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and treatment complications.

Alternative prostate cancer screening methods are currently being researched, including one that uses a non-invasive urine test, as Fox News Digital recently reported.

For localized prostate cancers, where the disease is contained within the prostate, the five-year survival rate is at least 99%, according to the ACS.

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For regional cases, where the disease has spread only to "nearby structures or lymph nodes," the five-year survival rate is also 99% or greater.

If the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, the five-year survival rate drops to 37%.

Actual survival rates may vary based on the patient's age, overall health, how the cancer has progressed post-diagnosis, the disease's response to treatment, and other factors, the ACS noted.

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Common marriage habit could quietly kill your sex life, expert warns

Sexual desire can change over the course of a marriage, particularly with age and major life changes — and research suggests certain lifestyle and relationship factors may also contribute to a lower libido.

But changes in desire or frequency do not necessarily mean a couple’s sex life is unhealthy, according to experts.

Dr. Anna Elton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, said there is "no medically prescribed number that defines a healthy sex life."

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"What's healthy is whether both partners feel connected, satisfied and respected in their intimate relationship," she told Fox News Digital.

"For some couples, that may mean several times a week, while for others it may be once or twice a month. The healthiest benchmark is mutual fulfillment."

Rather than comparing their sex lives to those of others, Elton encouraged couples to define what is healthy for their own relationship.

"Talk about what feels satisfying, how much time can pass before one or both of you starts feeling disconnected and what your warning signs are," she said. "Once you've agreed on that range, make a commitment to maintain it together."

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Elton advised couples not to let too much time pass without "intentionally reconnecting," as prolonged disconnection can take a toll on the relationship.

"If we simply wait until the mood is perfect or the stars align, work, children and everyday responsibilities usually get in the way," she said. "Healthy relationships require intention. Both partners should share responsibility for initiating connection and creating the conditions where desire can develop."

For many couples, building careers, raising children, caring for aging parents, managing finances and juggling other responsibilities can demand more of their attention — and they may not realize that the relationship itself has become a low priority.

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"As a result, couples begin living parallel lives," Elton told Fox News Digital. "Conversations revolve around schedules, errands, bills and the kids. Intentional time together becomes less frequent. Affection, physical touch, flirting and playfulness become less frequent, replaced by stress, conflict and growing resentment."

"For many couples, those changes are among the earliest signs that the relationship is no longer being intentionally nurtured, and sexual intimacy declines soon afterward."

Elton countered that many couples she's worked with continued to have sex regularly to "keep the peace or avoid conflict." While their sex life appeared healthy from the outside, the couples felt "emotionally disconnected and unfulfilled."

"Physical intimacy and emotional closeness go hand in hand," she said. "If we want to improve our sex lives, we have to focus on the connection itself."

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"If one or both partners consistently feel rejected, lonely or resentful, or avoid conversations about intimacy altogether, it's time to seek help."

If sex becomes painful or erectile difficulties arise – or if hormonal concerns, trauma, depression, anxiety or persistent differences in desire are creating distress – couples should address these issues with a professional as early as possible, the expert advised.

One of the most common concerns Elton sees in her practice is differences in sexual desire, which she confirmed is "completely normal."

The key is to approach intimacy "as a team," as research has shown this leads to maintaining "stronger desire" over time.

"Being responsive means staying curious about your partner's experience," she said. "Instead of pressuring or withdrawing, couples communicate openly, respect each other's boundaries and work together to find an approach to intimacy that feels satisfying for both people."

Couples should also broaden their definition of intimacy, Elton suggested, as general affection, physical touch, flirting, emotional closeness and intentional time together can "help partners feel more connected and create the conditions where sexual desire naturally returns."

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Beachgoers warned after deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria kills 5 in southern state

A potentially deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria has killed five people in Louisiana this year, a sharp rise from the state’s typical death toll.

Health officials are warning beachgoers to take extra precautions before heading into the water.

Vibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria. Found primarily in warm, coastal waters, it can cause serious, potentially life-threatening infections when contaminated seawater enters an open wound, according to the CDC.

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Infections can also occur when someone eats raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported nine cases and five deaths so far this year. All nine cases were linked to people entering seawater with open wounds, and all of the infected patients had existing medical conditions, officials said.

In previous years, the state has averaged seven cases and one death.

Vibrio bacteria are found in higher numbers from May to October, when water temperatures are warmer, the health department noted.

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Although infections are rare, Vibrio vulnificus can cause an illness called vibriosis, often marked by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as potentially severe skin infections.

"People with severe infections may require intensive care or limb amputation," Louisiana health officials warned. "About one in five people with Vibrio vulnificus infection dies, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill."

Initial signs and symptoms of a Vibrio skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge, per the CDC.

While healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks.

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If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, it can cause advanced illness marked by fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions.

Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound dies, the CDC cautions. This rare side effect has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as "flesh-eating bacteria."

The bacterial infection is diagnosed by testing cultures obtained from stool, wounds or blood, according to health officials.

For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

Those with severe or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates.

For patients with infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue.

About one in five people will die from the infection, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill, the CDC states.

Health officials caution against entering warm saltwater or brackish water if any fresh cuts, scrapes or wounds are present.

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It’s also recommended to avoid consuming raw oysters and other raw shellfish, and to avoid cross-contamination of other foods with raw seafood or its juices.

Protective gloves should be worn when handling raw shellfish.

Those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia (a group of hereditary blood disorders) — as well as those who are taking immune-suppressing medications — are at a higher risk of complications and should take extra precautions, the CDC warns.

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Organ harvesting began while patients still showed ‘signs of life,’ federal investigation finds

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun the decertification of Network for Hope, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, following federal reviews that uncovered serious patient safety failures.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiated the decertification action after investigations revealed persistent safety issues, including instances where the organ harvesting process was initiated on patients who still showed active signs of life.

Appearing on America's Newsroom, Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, described details from his interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the department's actions against the nonprofit organization.

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"Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy is bringing to light horror stories about the dark corners of organ harvesting," Siegel said.

"The department is now pulling the accreditation of Kentucky's Network for Hope, the main organ procurement organization in the state."

Network for Hope's chief executive officer stated that the organization plans to appeal the federal decision, maintaining that it remains fully compliant with organ procurement and transportation network policies.

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Siegel said he spoke with Secretary Kennedy about the case of TJ Hoover, a prospective donor who reportedly nearly had his organs removed by Network for Hope while still alive.

"Even after those signs of life, Kennedy says the organ procurement process continued until the physician refused to proceed," the doctor said.

HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration examined 351 cases at Network for Hope between 2021 and 2024 in which organ donation was authorized but ultimately not completed.

The review identified 103 cases with concerning features, including 73 patients with what HHS described as "neurological signs incompatible with organ donation."

"HHS says it uncovered 73 separate instances where the process of harvesting an organ should have been stopped sooner," Siegel said. "The investigation revealed that the nonprofit pressured medical personnel to proceed despite patients showing active signs of live and neurological function."

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According to federal officials, investigators found evidence of inadequate neurological assessments, poor coordination with hospital care teams, questionable consent practices and improper classification of causes of death.

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"Thirty percent of the procedures that they were performing had something wrong with them," Siegel added. "If there's a bad organization that's willing to do things that are unethical, they're going to get away with things at any place where they operate."

Despite the agency's findings, Siegel noted that Kennedy remains supportive of organ donation when conducted under proper standards, pointing to personal experience with his own family.

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"Kennedy says he strongly supports organ donation when it's done ethically and properly," Siegel said. "His own nephew, Michael Hines, saved multiple lives by donating his organs after his death at age 20."

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Eating too much protein could backfire, experts warn after longevity review

A recent scientific review challenged the idea that consuming more protein necessarily leads to better health, suggesting that the optimal amount depends on factors such as age, activity level and overall health.

After reviewing more than 350 studies, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison concluded that while higher protein intake can support muscle growth and other health benefits, consuming more than the body needs may offer little advantage.

In fact, it could even reduce longevity in some sedentary adults, particularly when protein comes from certain sources or amino acid profiles, they concluded.

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For those wondering how to adjust their own diets in light of these findings, the answer lies in personalization, activity level and food sources, according to experts.

"We are hearing conflicting things from doctors ... and influencers," Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.

"The message lately has been to increase your protein," said the expert, who was not involved in the research. 

"However, we do know that excess protein is associated with negative effects. It can put a strain on your kidney health, and it can interfere with bone and calcium homeostasis."

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For sedentary individuals, cutting back on excess protein isn’t the only option, according to Freirich. Increasing physical activity can also help the body use nutrients more effectively.

"If you are moving your body — strength training, building muscle or doing sports — you probably do need a little bit more protein," she noted.

"Now, let's say you were a super active person and unfortunately had an injury and have gone down to a very sedentary level — you should modify your protein because your body is not utilizing it in the same way."

Exercise may also support longevity in ways that go beyond nutrition, Freirich noted, by helping people stay active and independent.

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"Adding exercise is always a good idea because it is associated with having fewer falls, having more joy in life and protecting you from injury," she said.

For those looking to rebalance their nutrition without doing a total overhaul, Freirich offered the following five tips.

No. 1: Focus on plate proportions: Aim for 50% of your plate to consist of vegetables, 25% protein and 25% starches or whole grains.

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No. 2: Do the quick math: A general guideline is to consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for adults with lower activity levels, while those who are more physically active may benefit from about 1.0 gram per kilogram per day.

No. 3: Eat the rainbow: Incorporate fruits and vegetables across various colors to ensure a diverse intake of vitamins and micro-nutrients.

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No. 4: Switch to plant proteins: Shift a portion of animal protein toward plant-based alternatives like lentils, beans, chickpeas and seeds. "A lot of people who were on protein-restricted diets and saw better health outcomes were eating a lot of their proteins from plants," Freirich noted.

No. 5: Stick to whole foods: Unprocessed foods support natural satiety signals. "Moving away from really processed foods to more unprocessed foods actually helps your body regulate a lot better," Freirich advised.

Ultimately, dietary choices shouldn't be governed by a single headline or study, according to the expert.

"Research is ever-evolving," Freirich said. "Everyone should think about their personal situation and discuss it with healthcare providers to figure out the best route for them."

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