What's That Rash?

ABC
  • 4.7 (176)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 3H AGO

    Should you wait to swim after eating?

    It’s so common to tell kids to wait an hour after eating to swim that many of us never question it. But what are the actual consequences of jumping straight back in the pool after you’ve had your lunch? Norman and Tegan tackle whether this advice is grounded in evidence, and discuss what you should actually avoid. References: Scouting for boys - 1908The International Lifesaving Federation medical position statement 2014 Effect of food consumption on 200-yard freestyle swim performanceThe National Drowning Report 2025 Monday’s medical myth: wait 30 minutes after eating before you swim – the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Does magnesium work against muscle cramps? Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?Is being an Olympian bad for your health?

    14 min

  2. JAN 20

    Is retirement bad for you?

    Last year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains. After an influx of requests, we’ve looked at the evidence not only when it comes to brain health, but heart health, metabolic health and mental wellbeing. Norman and Tegan unpack the complex story of what happens to your brain and body when you retire – depending on the job you had. References: How Retirement Was Invented: The earliest schemes for financial support in old age were pegged to life expectancy Towards higher retirement incomes for Australians: a history of the Australian retirement income system since Federation Impact of retirement transition on health, well-being and health behaviours: critical insights from an overview of reviews Effect of retirement on cognitive function: the Whitehall II cohort study Retirement or no Retirement? The Decision’s Effects on Cognitive Functioning, Well-Being, and Quality of LifeRisk of Cognitive Declines With Retirement: Who Declines and Why?The Impact of Retirement on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal StudiesRetirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-beingThe Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?The Role of Meaning in the Retirement Transition: Scoping ReviewLife after work: how we can support retirees – R U OK? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?How much protein do you REALLY need?

    21 min

  3. JAN 13

    Diet vs exercise: which is more important?

    A few weeks into the new year you might be reassessing your resolutions and wondering where to put your energy.  Is it possible to choose between diet or exercise? Or are the two inherently intertwined? Norman and Tegan try to untangle the untangleable, pitting diet and exercise against one another in different arenas.  References: The history of nutritional sciences Casimir Funk: The scientist who gave us the word 'vitamin' How the Seven Countries Study contributed to the definition and development of the Mediterranean diet concept: A 50-year journey Coronary Heart Disease and Physical Activity of WorkLong-term effectiveness of diet-plus-exercise interventions vs. diet-only interventions for weight loss: a meta-analysis Efficacy of dietary intervention or in combination with exercise on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review Diet or diet plus physical activity versus usual care in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: the Early ACTID randomised controlled trial Trading off dietary choices, physical exercise and cardiovascular disease risks If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why Norman won't shut up about the Mediterranean dietWhy the carnivore diet is so riskyIs botox worth a shot?

    21 min

  4. JAN 6

    Why you don't need to avoid seed oils

    It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to). But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction recently is that seed oils – think canola, sunflower, grapeseed – are terrible for you. Norman and Tegan unpack how that assumption has spread, and whether there’s any solid evidence to back it up. References: Biomarkers of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and MortalitySerum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of death: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor StudyOmega-6 fats to prevent and treat heart and circulatory diseasesPolyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, mental health, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studiesPerspective on the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids and commonly consumed plant oils high in unsaturated fatIf you’re worried about inflammation, stop stressing about seed oils and focus on the basics

    17 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    Should you opt for aluminium-free deodorant?

    We haven’t always suppressed our sweat or our natural body odour, but in many cultures now it’s expected we’ll all try to smell our best. You might be seeing more ads for ‘natural’ deodorants that promise to keep you fresh without any harmful ingredients. Norman and Tegan talk through those ingredients, and whether they carry any risks. This episode first aired on March 19, 2025.  References: The specific biochemistry of human axilla odour formation viewed in an evolutionary contextUse of Aluminium in Antiperspirants - Australian Department of HealthAntiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer - National Cancer InstituteAntiperspirants - National Kidney FoundationHow Advertisers Convinced Americans They Smelled Bad - Smithsonian Magazine

    17 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    Why do some people pee more often?

    Do you find yourself complaining that you've got a small bladder, as you run to the toilet for the third time in an hour? There are many reasons a person might pee more than others, including some scary medical conditions.  But as Norman and Tegan explain, in most cases your bladder is just deconditioned and you need to get your urinary tract into shape.  This episode first aired on April 15, 2025.  References: Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies ease problemsA randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of a product containing pumpkin seed extract and soy germ extract to improve overactive bladder-related voiding dysfunction and quality of lifePumpkin Seed Oil Extracted From Cucurbita maxima Improves Urinary Disorder in Human Overactive BladderProsta Fink Forte capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Multicentric surveillance study in 2245 patients

    16 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    Sunscreen spectacular: UV protection, SPF drama, endocrine disruptors

    There have been many discussions this year about sunscreen, its effectiveness and its ingredients. While there are some unknowns, what we’re sure of is sunscreen’s ability to protect us from the sun’s ageing and cancer-causing rays. Norman and Tegan slip, slop, slap some questions about sunscreen: SPF scandal, endocrine disruptors and vitamin D concerns. References: How does sunscreen work? - Cancer Council Sunscreen: a brief walk through historyWe tested the SPF claims of 20 sunscreens. 16 failed - CHOICETGA statement on CHOICE SPF sunscreen findings Safety Review of Seven Active Sunscreen Ingredients – July 2025 Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trialMineral vs chemical sunscreens Can your sunscreen expire? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection?We all need a daily dose of sunlight — but how much? Can you get away with skipping your daily shower?

    21 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    Do the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?

    Creatine is getting a lot of hype lately, at least according to our listeners. It’s being pushed for everything from menopause to dementia for its supposed energy-boosting, brain-boosting benefits. Norman and Tegan explore what is really going on with creatine outside of its muscle-building potential. References: Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Metabolic Basis of Creatine in Health and Disease: A Bioinformatics-Assisted Review - Nutrients Creatine in Health and Disease Creatine supplementation for older adults: Focus on sarcopenia, osteoporosis, frailty and CachexiaSingle dose creatine improves cognitive performance and induces changes in cerebral high energy phosphates during sleep deprivationCreatine monohydrate pilot in Alzheimer's: Feasibility, brain creatine, and cognition The Effects of 8-Week Creatine Hydrochloride and Creatine Ethyl Ester Supplementation on Cognition, Clinical Outcomes, and Brain Creatine Levels in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women (CONCRET-MENOPA): A Randomized Controlled Trial It Is Not Just About Storing Energy: The Multifaceted Role of Creatine Metabolism on Cancer Biology and ImmunologyCreatine Supplementation for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Scientific Rationale for a Clinical Trial International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout?Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?Is that glass of red wine over Christmas dinner good for you?

    22 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
176 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    567
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    What's That Rash?

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