

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 3, 2025 • 21min
What we do (and don't) know about tinnitus
Explore the elusive nature of tinnitus, where silence can seem unattainable. Discover its many causes, from underlying neurological links to psychological effects. The hosts discuss a variety of current and emerging treatments aimed at providing relief. Dive into historical perspectives on tinnitus and even hear about distraction therapy from ancient times. Plus, insights from listeners on integrating cardio and strength training round out this informative conversation, shedding light on the complex interplay of sound, silence, and our bodies.

May 27, 2025 • 18min
Should you train cardio and strength on the same day?
Dive into the debate on mixing cardio and strength training in your routine! Discover the benefits and drawbacks of concurrent training, along with personal anecdotes from the hosts. Learn how aerobic exercise boosts heart health and endurance while strength training plays a pivotal role in overall fitness. The importance of training order and enjoyment in workouts is also highlighted. Plus, listen to a unique personal story about the connection between acne and fitness, adding a humorous twist to the discussion!

May 20, 2025 • 20min
Why do some people run hot, while others run cold?
Are you constantly getting scolded for pressing your cold feet against your partner in bed? Or told your hands are icy cold?It’s well known that some people run cold and others run hot. But why does this happen, and does it say anything about your health?Norman and Tegan unpack the physiology and get into some of the reasons we experience temperature differently.References:Individual differences in normal body temperature: longitudinal big data analysis of patient records | The BMJGender Matters! Thermal Comfort and Individual Perception of Indoor Environmental Quality: A Literature Review | SpringerLinkSex differences and aging: Is there a role of brown adipose tissue? - ScienceDirectCool Temperature Alters Human Fat and Metabolism | National Institutes of Health (NIH) A Review of Cultural Background and Thermal Perceptions in Urban EnvironmentsOutdoor thermal perception and adaptation of immigrants from cold climates to hot arid climate - ScienceDirectDrivers of diversity in human thermal perception – A review for holistic comfort models - PMC

May 13, 2025 • 20min
Can consuming dairy really give you acne?
You might've heard a friend complaining about their latest break-out and swearing off dairy products as a result. Or that friend might be you.It’s a common complaint, but does it have any scientific merit?Norman and Tegan explore whether consuming dairy can cause acne, and if so, how a glass of milk might lead to pimples.References:The Influence of Genetics and Environmental Factors in the Pathogenesis of Acne: A Twin Study of Acne in WomenPatient Perceptions About Acne, Nutrition, and a Dietary Information Gap Diet and acne: A systematic reviewCan the right diet get rid of acne? - American Academy of Dermatology Association High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acneEffect of Chocolate on Acne Vulgaris - 1969Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris

May 6, 2025 • 13min
Cracking your knuckles: good, bad or just annoying?
You might’ve been told by parents, teachers, colleagues, friends of friends to stop cracking your knuckles because it will give you arthritis.There’s a surprising amount of science going on when you crack a joint, and it suggests there’s very little risk of harming your bones.But as Norman and Tegan explain, there is one major risk – you could irritate everybody around you.References:Mathematical Model for the Sounds Produced by Knuckle Cracking | Scientific ReportsDoes knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers?The Consequences of Habitual Knuckle CrackingEffect of habitual knuckle cracking on hand functionThere might not be anything wrong with your creaky joints - the Health ReportMisophonia: When sounds really do make you "crazy" - Harvard Health

Apr 29, 2025 • 20min
Can tattoos increase your risk of cancer?
When weighing up the health risks of getting a tattoo, most people are concerned about the risk infection.But recently the ingredients in tattoo ink have come under the microscope, with some being identified as potential carcinogens.Norman and Tegan take a look at the many substances used to create permanent art, and whether they carry any real harm to humans.References:Why Tattoos Stay Put | UCSF SynapseWhat's in my ink: an analysis of commercial tattoo ink on the US market - PMCMuch ‘tattoo’ about nothing; Tattoo pigment mimicking breast microcalcifications on mammographyTattoo ink exposure is associated with lymphoma and skin cancers – a Danish study of twins | BMC Public HealthMelanoma Arising in Tattoos: A Case Series and Scoping Review of the LiteratureDoes tattoo ink give you cancer? - Cancer Council Australia2016 report from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme

Apr 22, 2025 • 22min
Why the carnivore diet is so risky
The carnivore diet asks people to eat entirely animal-based, and the most extreme followers restrict themselves to only meat.Many carnivores claims they feel great — better than they ever have. They have more energy and lose weight.Norman and Tegan tuck into the reasons why carnivores feel better in the short-term, and the dangers they're inviting in the long-term.References: Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet” - Current Developments in NutritionLimitations of Self-reported Health Status and Metabolic Markers among Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet” - Current Developments in NutritionAssessing the Nutrient Composition of a Carnivore Diet: A Case Study ModelYellowish Nodules on a Man Consuming a Carnivore Diet | Lifestyle Behaviors | JAMA Cardiology

Apr 17, 2025 • 31min
The perimenopause diaries from Ladies, We Need to Talk
Hot flashes. Night sweats. Aching joints. Sore boobs. Welcome to your body in perimenopause!In episode one of this four-part series, Yumi Stynes speaks to women in the thick of perimenopause and battling physical symptoms. She also sits down with Dr Susan Davis, endocrinologist and world-leading expert on sex hormones and ageing to learn the best treatments for bothersome symptoms and how look after yourself in this stage of life. No sweat!Essential listening if you're going through perimenopause right now, or for those wanting to know what's over the hormonal horizon.

Apr 15, 2025 • 18min
Can you train yourself to pee less?
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. 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

Apr 8, 2025 • 21min
How worried should you be about microplastics?
Microplastics are infiltrating our air, water, and even our bodies, raising concerns about their health effects. The hosts tackle listener questions, explore the origins of these tiny particles, and debunk myths, including the exaggerated notion that we consume a credit card worth per week. They take a deeper dive into potential risks linked to cancer and fertility, while also discussing the ever-present microplastics in everyday products like chewing gum. It’s a fascinating journey through the complex landscape of plastic pollution and health.