What's That Rash?

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Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

17 HR AGO

Is loving your pets bad for you?

A post from Queensland Health has been ridiculed after for urging people not to kiss their pets or let them sleep in the same bed. So how do the risks of pet ownership stack up to the presumed benefits of having a furry (feathery or scaly) friend? Norman and Tegan take a look at the evidence – and some of its flaws – and reignite the age-old cat vs dog debate. References: If you have a pet as a kid, does this lower your risk of asthma and eczema? | WEHIZoonotic diseases and pets | American Veterinary Medical Association Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors | PNASPet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the LiteratureIs Dog Ownership Associated with Mental Health? A Population Study of 68,362 Adults Living in EnglandNo beneficial associations between living with a pet and mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large UK longitudinal sample - ScienceDirectPet ownership, loneliness, and social isolation: a systematic review | Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric EpidemiologyThe Relationship Between Attachment to Pets and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review Pet ownership and maintenance of cognitive function in community-residing older adults: evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) | Scientific ReportsDog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people without a dog: An investigation of the association between dog ownership and physical activity levels in a UK community | Scientific Reports A modest protective association between pet ownership and cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis | PLOS OneDog, cat, bird, fish, and other pet ownership and mortality: Evidence from the HILDA cohortLong-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners | Scientific ReportsIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! How worried should you be about microplastics?Is daylight saving time bad for us?MSG's messy myths and racist tropesYou can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

21 min
9 SEPT

Checking the pollen count? Here are some hay fever tips

It’s hay fever season, and as you sniffle away next to an air purifier, you might be wondering why we haven’t cured such a common allergy. Allergic rhinitis, as it’s scientifically known, has plagued people for generations. It's thought up to 24 per cent of Australians suffer from it. Norman and Tegan run through what hay fever is, how we identified it and what can be done to treat it. This episode first aired on October 23, 2024. References: Allergic Rhinitis: A ReviewO Rose thou art sick… history of allergic rhinitisI’m considering allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I need to know?Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trialThe Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini ReviewCan you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

16 min
2 SEPT

Is there a cure for jet lag?

It’s a tale as old as air travel … you’re off on a whirlwind holiday but spend the first week suffering from fatigue. If you ask anyone about jet lag they’ll have their own tips, but what are some evidence-based ways to reset your body clock? Norman and Tegan talk through some of the ways you can adjust to a totally different timezone. References: Time-zone effects on the long-distance air traveler - 1969Jet lag syndrome: circadian organization, pathophysiology, and management strategiesAn Abrupt Shift in the Day/Night Cycle Causes Desynchrony in the Mammalian Circadian CenterThe genetics of mammalian circadian order and disorder: implications for physiology and diseaseHow To Travel the World Without Jet LagEastward Jet Lag is Associated with Impaired Performance and Game Outcome in the National Basketball AssociationManaging Travel Fatigue and Jet Lag in Athletes: A Review and Consensus StatementMelatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag | Cochrane ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Chronotypes: Early birds vs night owlsIs daylight saving time bad for us?What is the perfect nap duration?

21 min
26 AUG

Don’t Die: Is Bryan Johnson going to live forever?

If you haven’t heard of the Don’t Die movement or Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Protocol, then buckle in. Johnson is a millionaire who is pouring his money into a massive effort to stay as young as possible, for as long as possible. Norman and Tegan unpack the basics of his routine, and some of his whackier attempts to turn back the biological clock. References: DunedinPACE, a DNA methylation biomarker of the pace of agingHow old are you really? Are the latest ‘biological age’ tests all they’re cracked up to be?Plasma-Based Strategies for Therapeutic Modulation of Brain AgingInfusion of young donor plasma components in older patients modifies the immune and inflammatory response to surgical tissue injury: a randomized clinical trial | Journal of Translational MedicineOld plasma dilution reduces human biological age: a clinical studyMetformin as Anti-Aging Therapy: Is It for Everyone?Targeting ageing with rapamycin and its derivatives in humans: a systematic review - The Lancet Healthy LongevityA Phase 1/2a Follistatin Gene Therapy Trial for Becker Muscular DystrophyFollistatin Gene Therapy Improves Ambulation in Becker Muscular DystrophyIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout?Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?Can you train yourself to sleep less?

28 min
19 AUG

Should you cut or chuck mouldy food?

You go to make a sandwich and notice mould on the corner of a single slice of bread — we've all been there. So what do you do? Chop off the affected corner? Ditch the single slice and choose bread from further down in the bag? Or chuck the entire bag? Norman and Tegan take on this controversial topic at the World Science Festival in Brisbane. References: Mycotoxin contamination in moldy slices of bread is mostly limited to the immediate vicinity of the visible infestationAflatoxins - National Cancer InstituteErgot poisoning: Symptoms, treatment, and historyThe expert verdict on whether it's ever OK to cut off the mould on food and eat the rest - ABC NewsDisgust as an adaptive system for disease avoidance behaviourYucky! How Do Toddlers Learn About Disgust?If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why the carnivore diet is so riskyCracking your knuckles: good, bad or just annoying?

19 min
12 AUG

Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?

It might be the last thing on your mind when you’re congested and miserable, but we swear it’s a genuine question we get asked. When you’ve got exercise baked into your routine, do you have to take a break when you’re unwell? Norman and Tegan unpack the nuance of exercising when you’re sick – when you can, and when you can’t. References: The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense systemModerate exercise induces trained immunity in macrophages | American Journal of Physiology-Cell PhysiologyHigher risk of upper respiratory tract infection post marathon running: when physical exercise becomes a threat to the immune systemSport and exercise during viral acute respiratory illness—Time to revisitExercise effect on symptom severity, morbidity and mortality in viral infections: a systematic review and meta-analysisEffects of 60-day bed rest with and without exercise on cellular and humoral immunological parameters | Cellular & Molecular ImmunologyThe effect of exercise training on the severity and duration of a viral upper respiratory illnessOrthostatic reactions and blood volumes after moderate physical activation during acute febrile infectionsExercising while sick won’t help you get over a cold faster – but it may prevent your next oneIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you train yourself to pee less?Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Is sitting the new smoking?

19 min
5 AUG

At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?

It has become pretty common to send off a saliva sample or a cheek swab to find out more about yourself. At-home DNA testing kits offer insights into ancestry, but also claim to be able to tell you your risk of certain diseases, or even give you unique diet advice. Norman and Tegan explore the limits of these kits, and some things you should consider before potentially buying one. References: Understanding Human Genetic VariationWhat Can At-Home Genetic Tests Tell Me About My Health? - PMCThe sense and nonsense of direct-to-consumer genetic testing for cardiovascular diseaseFirst, do no harm: direct-to-consumer genetic testingDo at-home genetic tests work? - MD AndersonGenetic testing | Cancer Council Direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests providing health risk information: A systematic review of consequences for consumers and health servicesAustralians’ perspectives on support around use of personal genomic testing: Findings from the Genioz studyUnderstanding Direct-to-Consumer genetic DNA testing | NHMRCWhat people really change after genetic testing (GT) performed in private labs: results from an Italian studyDirect‐to‐consumer genetic tests providing health risk information: A systematic review of consequences for consumers and health servicesIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Should you base your diet on your blood type?Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol?What on earth is grounding?!

23 min
29 JUL

Is emu oil the new snake oil?

Australians have a long and complicated history with the emu – and the tale continues in the murky wellness space. There are a handful of emu farms still operating locally to harvest meat, oil, eggs and feathers from the flightless birds. Norman and Tegan discuss the growing demand for emu oil, and what it’s claimed to do. References: The Emu: More-Than-Human and More-Than-Animal GeographiesChemical Characterization and In Vivo Toxicological Safety Evaluation of Emu Oil - PMC Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine - ScienceDirect Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oils in rats | InflammopharmacologyEmu Oil Combined with Lyprinol™ Reduces Small Intestinal Damage in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced MucositisEmu oil expedites small intestinal repair following 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in ratsVitamins and fatty acids against chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositisEmu Oil and zinc monoglycerolate independently reduce disease severity in a rat model of ulcerative colitisOrally administered emu oil attenuates disease in a mouse model of Crohn's-like colitisEmu Oil reduces disease severity in a mouse model of chronic ulcerative colitisEmu oil enhances cutaneous wound healing by modulating inflammation through promoting macrophage M2 polarization via MAPK signaling pathwayEffects of Topical Emu Oil on Burn Wounds in the Skin of Balb/c MicePreparation and evaluation of minoxidil foamable emu oil emulsionComparative effects of emu and olive oil on aortic early atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in hypercholesterolemic hamstersEmu oil decreases atherogenic plaque formation in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Should we all be vegetarian?Infrared, ultraviolet and LED therapy – can lights cure us?Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?

20 min

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Norman Swan

Host
Tegan Taylor

Host

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.