

What's That Rash?
ABC Australia
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

7 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 21min
Headaches: causes, cures and exercise?!
They break down different headache types from tension and migraine to cluster and thunderclap. They flag when new or severe pain needs urgent attention. They explore historical remedies and surprising treatments like occipital stimulation. They discuss how exercise, stress, sleep and triggers interact and offer a practical headache toolkit to try.

Mar 24, 2026 • 23min
Is a vibration plate worth the cost?
We've all probably wished for a way to achieve our fitness goals without the strain and sweat that can come with exercise.So what if you could lose weight, gain muscle and improve circulation just by standing on a vibrating platform?Norman and Tegan buzz through the evidence for and against vibration plates and so called "passive exercise".References:Dr Gustav Zander’s Victorian-Era Exercise Machines Made the Bowflex Look Like Child’s PlayThe effects of whole body vibration therapy on reducing fat mass in the adult general population: A systematic review and meta-analyses Whole-body vibration administered during a 3-week in-hospital multidisciplinary body weight reduction program increases resting energy expenditure in obese adolescents, a randomized clinical trial Immediate effects of localized vibration on flexibility: A randomized crossover trial Effects of whole body vibration with exercise therapy versus exercise therapy alone on flexibility, vertical jump height, agility and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial Whole Body Vibration as an Adjunct to Static StretchingWhole-Body Vibration Stimulates Microvascular Blood Flow in Skeletal Muscle Whole body vibration training improves leg blood flow and adiposity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Lower Limb Blood Flow in Children with Myelomeningocele—A Randomized Trial Effect of localised vibration on muscle strength in healthy adults: a systematic review Whole-body vibration training improves muscle mass and strength in older adults through intra- and extra-muscular pathways The effect of whole body vibration training on quadriceps voluntary activation level of people with age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia): a randomized pilot study Hormonal responses to a single session of wholebody vibration exercise in older individualsHormonal and Metabolic Responses to Whole Body Vibration in Healthy Adults Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial Efficacy of whole body vibration exercise in older people: a systematic review If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?Do the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?

7 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 20min
Should you add snail slime to your skincare routine?
They dive into what snail mucin is and its ancient and modern uses. They trace how snail slime became a cosmetic trend and explain how it is harvested. Lab findings on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and early anti-ageing signals are discussed. Ethical concerns about snail welfare and safety risks get attention. Possible medical uses like wound healing and cancer links are explored.

23 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 22min
Could headphones be damaging our ears?
They examine whether earbuds and noise cancelling cans are harming ears or the brain’s sound processing. A brief history of headphones traces tech from early in‑ear sets to the Walkman era. Listeners’ questions and a noise‑risk calculator highlight behaviours that raise cumulative exposure. Practical safe‑listening tips and who is most at risk are discussed.

Mar 3, 2026 • 19min
Vitamin C: can it cure colds and cancer?
They dig into the origins of vitamin C research and the historical fight against scurvy. They cover claims linking vitamin C to preventing colds and treating cancer. They compare oral supplements with high‑dose IV use and discuss possible benefits and risks. They also touch on dietary sources, athlete use after exercise, and safety concerns like kidney stones.

Feb 24, 2026 • 23min
Can peptides keep you young and buff?
Unless you're in certain corners of the internet, you won't be aware of the peptide craze promising to grow your muscles and slow ageing.That's because your average GP won't be printing a prescription for these injectable drugs, like BPC-157 or melanotan.Norman and Tegan discuss why there's so much fan fare over unproven peptides with some potentially nasty side effects.References:Effects of Topical Copper Tripeptide Complex on CO2 Laser–Resurfaced Skin Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotan - TGAMelanotan‐associated melanomaMelanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case reportMelanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case reportMelanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan – BMJ case studyBPC-157: Experimental peptide prohibited - US Anti-Doping AuthorityEffect of BPC-157 on Symptoms in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis: A Pilot StudySafety of Intravenous Infusion of BPC157 in Humans: A Pilot StudyIntra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee PainGeneral practitioner disqualified for inappropriately prescribing peptidesIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?Should you be flexible enough to touch your toes?Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?

8 snips
Feb 17, 2026 • 20min
Can flossing benefit more than your teeth?
They dig into the origins and history of flossing and how interdental tools evolved. They explain what plaque, biofilm and gum inflammation do in the mouth. They explore proposed links between poor oral health and heart disease, stroke and dementia. They debate timing, tools like water flossers and red-light claims, and warn about overhyped gadgets.

Feb 10, 2026 • 22min
Doing nothing: the benefits of boredom
With endless entertainment at your fingertips on your phone, how often do you really sit and do absolutely nothing?It turns out that even when you’re staring into the middle distance, your brain is firing away with activity.Norman and Tegan explore why giving your brain a break might be important for learning and creativity.References:The Journey of the Default Mode Network: Development, Function, and Impact on Mental Health Default-mode brain dysfunction in mental disorders: A systematic review Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind - Science The Importance of the Default Mode Network in Creativity—A Structural MRI Study The Importance of the Default Mode Network in Creativity—A Structural MRI Study People are increasingly bored in our digital ageIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!What is the perfect nap duration?Can tattoos increase your risk of cancer?Why are people taping their mouths?

9 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 21min
Should we all be taking fish oil?
They trace cod‑liver oil’s folk remedy past and how vitamin A and D shaped its reputation. They unpack the Inuit heart‑disease story and early epidemiology linking whole‑fish intake to heart health. Chemistry of omega‑3s (EPA vs DHA) and the atrial fibrillation debate get attention. They compare dietary advice versus supplements and who might actually benefit from high‑dose fish oil.

6 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 14min
Should you wait to swim after eating?
They trace the one-hour-to-swim myth back to a 1908 handbook and early news stories. They separate muscle cramps from abdominal stitches and review old and modern studies about eating and swimming. They discuss drowning reports, official lifeguard guidance, and practical water-safety tips like supervision and avoiding alcohol.


