Summer Health Facts vs. Myths: Swimmer’s Ear, Ticks, More

[00:00:00]We are back [music] with a summer health edition of our series fact versus myth to help keep our families safe during these hot sunny months. Here to test our knowledge is Dr. Jen Caudle. She's a family physician and associate professor at Rowan University. Doc, good to see you.

[00:00:14]>> Good to see you, too.

[00:00:15]>> so we're we're going to read these things. We haven't seen them. We don't know what's on there. And then we're going to find out whether it's fact or myth. Okay, let's start with our first one. Okay, fact or myth. SAD is a condition that happens in summer. Oh.

[00:00:30]>> Seasonal affective disorder.

[00:00:31]>> Oh, okay.

[00:00:32]>> Seasonal It's okay. We We probably shouldn't bring it up.

[00:00:35]>> I've never heard OF SAD.

[00:00:37]SAD?

[00:00:38]THAT'S SO SAD.

[00:00:40]Uh I'm going to say that's that's a myth.

[00:00:43]>> Yeah. It is for you, Al.

[00:00:45]>> [laughter] >> Actually, um this is a fact. Seasonal affective disorder We often think about it happening in the winter when the days get shorter, it gets colder, but it can happen >> I'm sad that I got that wrong.

[00:00:54]>> It's okay, but it can happen in the summertime, too. It can make you kind of feel agitated, etc. So, we always want you to exercise, get more sleep. It's this circadian rhythm thing. That's the thing about it. Um a regular routine, symptom diary, but I always say talk to your doctor because this is where you may need therapy or medications to help with how you're >> Cuz you're probably not expecting this.

[00:01:13]>> That's why [clears throat] we're talking about it. You're so right.

[00:01:16]>> Unbelievable.

[00:01:16]>> Yes, yes, yes, yes.

[00:01:18]>> Yeah, look at that.

[00:01:19]Al lost the first one if you're keeping track, just so you >> like to keep track. Very competitive [laughter] around here.

[00:01:24]>> All right.

[00:01:24]Swimmer's ear means water in the ear.

[00:01:27]>> Ooh.

[00:01:28]>> Sure, that sounds true.

[00:01:30]>> Sounds right, right?

[00:01:31]>> Um it's actually a myth.

[00:01:34]>> Whoa.

[00:01:34]>> Yes, so swimmer's ear is actually a condition The name is actually uh a word for otitis externa, which means an infection of the outer ear canal. This happens when we swim a lot sometimes because earwax is protective. I mean, it can be gross, but it's protective. And when you swim, that water washes off the earwax and can make us more prone to infections, which is why we call it swimmer's ear. So, ways to prevent swimmer's ear. You want to dry your ears thoroughly. You can turn your head to the side, pull on that little earlobe.

[00:02:01]Just >> jumping get the water out of your ears.

[00:02:02]>> sometimes, but I want you to take it easy, get a towel, dry it out.

[00:02:06]>> the drops you put in your ear? Cuz I did that a million times as a kid.

[00:02:08]>> doctors do recommend that, but you know what? And so, I always say check with your doctor before you put any drops in your ears just to make sure it's the right thing. Okay. Silicone earplugs is great for keeping water out when you when you know I I use these actually when I got my hair done cuz water gets in my ears, I don't like it. Um hairdryer on low heat.

[00:02:24]>> a hairdryer?

[00:02:25]>> [laughter] >> Hairdryer on low heat just to kind of dry the water. And then, don't put anything in your ear canal, by the way.

[00:02:32]We say nothing smaller than the elbow should go in your ear.

[00:02:35]>> it. I like a Q-tip.

[00:02:37]>> YEAH.

[00:02:39]>> BUT BEFORE WE DO THE NEXT ONE, is this pass fail? I'm just keeping track.

[00:02:42]>> Yeah. Uh yes.

[00:02:43]>> Okay, cool.

[00:02:43]>> No, what's the real >> See, we have an athlete on the show. So, now we have somebody else to compete with. Okay.

[00:02:48]>> Remove ticks as soon as possible. Is should we >> Yes.

[00:02:51]>> Yeah.

[00:02:52]>> You're going to say no?

[00:02:55]>> without doing it right.

[00:02:56]>> Yeah, okay. Thank you. I love that qualifier. I love it. So, let's talk about how to do it right. We do want to remove ticks as soon as possible. They can transmit disease. Think about things like Lyme disease and stuff like that, okay? So, I know we have a graphic on how to remove ticks, okay? Um first thing you want to do is use a fine-tipped uh tweezers. You want to basically grasp the tick close to the surface.

[00:03:15]>> Uh well, you know, grab the grasp the tick close to the surface. Pull up steadily and evenly. Don't twist it or turn it. Um and then the other thing I have to say, too, is see your doctor because you might qualify or need medications depending on how long that tick was attached. Also, wear an EPA-approved bug repellent to prevent tick bites. Long-sleeved clothes, check your body.

[00:03:35]>> family members that attracted Lyme disease. So, that one resonates with me more than anyone.

[00:03:41]>> get that, right? Yes.

[00:03:42]>> So, these two got them wrong, so now we're going to do [laughter] this one.

[00:03:46]Mosquito bites are not a real >> health risk. That is 100% a myth. I mean, THIS IS SO EASY.

[00:03:52]>> THAT'S THAT'S THE equivalent of you getting a car and then flopping on the ground.

[00:03:57]>> It is.

[00:03:57]>> This is a myth. You guys are just so competitive. This is hilarious.

[00:04:01]>> [laughter] >> It is a myth. Mosquito bites are a real health risk because they can transmit disease, kind of like the ticks that we talked about. You want to use an EPA registered bug repellent insect repellent that contains these different ingredients. I always say don't go crazy trying to remember all this. Like, go to your local drugstore. Most of them on over-the-counter have that. Wear long sleeves. Eliminate standing water around your house, the toys, the buckets with water, tires. That breeds mosquitoes and stuff.

[00:04:27]>> On this phrase, Doc, would you do more natural or would you do the one that >> do the ones I listed.

[00:04:32]>> The ones that don't that mosquitoes don't like you got it.

[00:04:37]>> That's That's what we doing, right there.

[00:04:38]>> All right, we got our last one here.

[00:04:40]Yep, poison ivy rash is contagious. Full disclosure, it is.

[00:04:45]>> YOU'RE WRONG.

[00:04:45]>> FACT.

[00:04:53]APPARENTLY, IT ISN'T. [laughter] BUT, WHAT DID I have last summer for a month and a half? I DON'T THINK YOU DON'T ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T [laughter] WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER.

[00:05:00]>> I got pictures.

[00:05:02]>> Okay.

[00:05:02]>> For hell.

[00:05:03]>> I'm so sorry CUZ I KNOW HOW COMPETITIVE you are. But, this is a fact.

[00:05:06]>> So, if you have poison ivy and I go and touch you, it's not going to give me poison ivy.

[00:05:11]>> So, next time I have poison ivy, I'll I'll give you $10 to do that.

[00:05:14]>> This is the thing. It's the oil. What makes us allergic and get the rash is the oil on the leaves of poison ivy. You can get that oil on different parts of your body. Anywhere the oil touches on your body can give you the rash. But, touching somebody with the rash is not going to give it to you.

[00:05:29]>> So, Al, no wrestling with me if I got poison ivy.

[00:05:32]>> Hey, Doc, real quick, back to the mosquito. But, once you get one, what's What do you do to stop the itch?

[00:05:37]>> Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, this is the thing. First of all, try not to itch it cuz they can become secondarily infected and things like that. But, I use sometimes like a calamine. This is This is just sort of just topical stuff. You may need other medications if it gets worse. It can be tough though. There are some home remedies out there.

[00:05:52]>> Aren't you supposed to like make that X in it?

[00:05:54]>> Um >> You ever do that?

[00:05:55]>> I don't know about that, DYLAN.

[00:05:57]>> THANK YOU.

[00:05:57]>> DR. COLON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[00:05:59]>> HEY, thanks for watching. Don't forget you can catch the Today show every morning on NBC or take Today when you're on the go. Just follow the Today podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify or wherever you listen.