Whether summer means great outdoors or great air-conditioned spaces for you, this season brings a fresh range of healthy activities – many with less than desirable side effects (looking at you, sunburn). It’s hard to know which of the threadbare wisdoms about summer challenges – like poison ivy and mosquitoes – are real and which are basically nonsense. Chances are you’ve heard or told one of these myths about good health during the summer months, so here’s the truth.
Myth # 1: Air conditioning can give you a cold.
The truth: Colds are caused by viruses, and only viruses. (Sorry, Grandma!) “There is no evidence that exposure to cold alone causes a cold,” says Dr. Kwame Akoto, family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente, Baltimore. Too much AC, however, can reduce humidity in the upper airways, leading to thinning and cracking of the airway lining, says Dr. Akoto. This can cause a scratchy throat and dry nose or sinuses (nasal sprays and saline spray can help). In addition, a poorly maintained air conditioner can be a breeding ground for mold or mildew, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose, so be sure to replace air filters, consider using a HEPA filter, and clean up any water that collects.
Myth #2: Poison ivy rashes are contagious.
The truth: poison ivy rashes look and feel disgusting, but you can’t give them to someone else. “The rash is a reaction to the oil in the plant, and you can get it anywhere the oil touches. It’s the contagious part, ”says Dr. Purvisha Patel, founder of Advanced Dermatology & amp; Skin cancer coworkers. After washing off the poison ivy essential oil, you shouldn’t be able to spread the rash to other people or to new parts of your body. However, oil from poison ivy and poison weeds can be difficult – it can get under your fingernails and stay on your clothes. Avoid the rash by wearing long clothes in wooded areas and cleaning your hands, clothes, and pets as soon as you get home. The FDA also recommends wearing washable gloves to work in the garden and regularly wash your tools.
Myth #3: Swimmer’s ear means there’s water in your ear canal.
The truth: swimmer’s ear is actually the name of a bacterial infection. It’s often caused by water that’s in your external ear canal – but it sticks even when it’s dry and doesn’t always contain water. An infection that can muffle your hearing and cause swelling, pain, and redness in the ear can also be caused by atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, ear cleaning, and certain medications, Dr. Akoto says. Still, it’s wise to remove any water from your ears before it becomes a problem. Try tilting your head to the side and gently pulling on your earlobe to widen the ear canal, Dr. This may interest you : Montgomery launches high-tech flood sensor program – Conduit Street. Akoto says. “Sometimes just lying flat on this side allows the fluid to drain on its own,” she adds. You can also wear silicone earplugs while swimming, and dry your ears with a towel. And skip the cotton swabs: earwax actually helps protect your ears. If you get swimmer’s ear, your doctor may give you antibiotic ear drops.
Myth #4: Mosquitoes are attracted to certain people because they have sweeter blood.
The truth: These little bloodsuckers attack you in droves for the way you look and smell, not the way you taste. Mosquitoes can sense body heat and smell sweat, and the receptors in their antennae help them detect the carbon dioxide (CO2) we exhale. The more you sweat and the more CO2 you exhale, the more likely it is to land on you. Small worms are also attracted to people who secrete blood group antigens through their body fluids – 80% of us do, but people with type 0 blood are especially prone. See the article : Scientists created a sprayed wrapper that could reduce food waste. Mosquitoes also enjoy the smell of certain compounds on our skin, as found in a Current Biology study. Protect yourself by wearing an insect repellent that contains DEET or lemon eucalyptus oil, and avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. And don’t wear red in your grill – research shows that red attracts mosquitoes.
Myth #5: The higher the SPF, the better.
The Truth: While you want a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, nothing over an SPF 50 will do much more than cost you more. SPF refers to the amount of sunlight in sunscreen, but as SPF numbers increase, the distinction between the two isn’t as significant. See the article : Summer travel is hell this year. For example, there is a significant difference between an SPF 15 which filters out 93% of the UVB rays, and an SPF 30 which filters out about 97%. But the difference between SPF 50 and SPF 100 is only 1% (98% versus 99% of UVB rays, according to the American Cancer Society). To choose the best sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum filter that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply at least every two hours. Also, says Dr. Patel, it’s wise to wear a hat and stay in the shade whenever possible.
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