What's That Rash?

By ABC listen

What's What's That Rash? 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.

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What's That Rash? episodes:

04.16.2024
How can you boost your immune system?
As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more people around you are dropping from cold or flu. And with COVID-19 also in the mix, it’s understandable that many are wondering how they can boost their immunity to avoid getting...
04.09.2024
Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout?
It can sometimes be tough to summon the motivation and energy to go to exercise. Well, there’s a product for that and it’s gaining popularity. Pre-workout mixtures come in powders, pills, drinks, gummies — you name it, they’ve got it. Norman and Tegan...
04.02.2024
How do over-the-counter painkillers compare?
When you get a headache, what do you reach for? Ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol? Over-the-counter painkillers can be difficult to differentiate, but they do vary, not only in their effectiveness but also in their side effects. Norman and Tegan talk us through...
03.26.2024
Restless Legs Syndrome and how it's treated
Restless Legs Syndrome is a common condition with somewhat mysterious underpinnings… While it can be a side effect on an underlying condition, many people suffer for no known reason. Norman and Tegan take us through what we know, what we suspect and...
03.23.2024
Kate's cancer announcement: What do we know about her health?
Kate Middleton announced via a video message that she is undergoing treatment for cancer. The Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye since Christmas. This is the first official announcement about her condition since she revealed she would...
03.19.2024
Is your (artificial) sweet tooth killing you?
Did you know that we're evolutionarily predisposed to seek out sweet treats? Simple carbs were harder to come by in caveman times than they are today. Now, the consensus is we all need to cut down our sugar intake. One way people...
03.12.2024
Pimples, spots and pleuks: The who, why and what (to do)
Although it’s often thought of as an adolescent affliction, acne can affect people well into adulthood. But some people seem to be immune to pimples. Why? Norman and Tegan investigate why some people are more prone to pimples than others, and what...
03.05.2024
Why are mosquitoes so attracted to me?
Some people are mosquito magnets. The blood suckers do, in fact, have their favourites. And this could pose a major health risk. After all, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on earth. Norman and Tegan take us through the science of why some...
03.03.2024
We're doing a live show! Bring your rash to Brisbane March 22
What's That Rash? is coming to the World Science Festival Brisbane! Bring yourself (and your non-communicable rash) to a live podcast recording with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor. We've got two double passes to give away to the Social Science event...
02.27.2024
Are hormones hindering your workout?
Have you ever been told to 'listen to your body' when it comes to fitness? It makes sense. You shouldn't push through injury, or past the point of exhaustion. But how far is too far? There are now dozens of apps and...
02.20.2024
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
The only time most of us think about wisdom teeth is when they’re causing trouble. Do they have a use beyond causing pain (and leaving you with a hefty dental bill)? Norman and Tegan talk through the history of these meddlesome molars,...
02.13.2024
Multivitamins: Are they a scam?
Let's say you're a pretty healthy person. You have a balanced diet, exercise regularly and don't have any health issues. A multivitamin can only help, right? Not necessarily. There are lots of multivitamins out there, catering to different circumstances. Norman and Tegan...
02.06.2024
Are chiropractors charlatans or misunderstood?
Thousands of Australians see a chiropractor for relief from back pain, headaches or stiffness. There has been a level of controversy surrounding the profession since its inception in the 19th century. But looking beyond the field's storied history, where does the evidence...
01.30.2024
Does anti-ageing skincare actually work?
There are so many weird and wonderful skin potions out there, promising to fend off or reverse the signs of ageing. But do they work? And if so, how do they work? Norman and Tegan take us through their skincare routines (and...
01.23.2024
What's the deal with night terrors?
Night terrors are distressing awakenings of intense screaming, thrashing and fear that often happen at the same time each night. They're more common in children than in adults, but they can hang around or emerge later in life. Norman takes us through...
01.16.2024
Why do we eat cereal for breakfast?
Have you ever been chastised for eating a bowl of cereal for lunch? Or having leftovers for breakfast? There are certain foods designed 'breakfast foods' in the collective imagination: eggs, toast, cornflakes, pancakes. But the stories of how they came to earn...
01.09.2024
Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bull
No pain, no gain — right? Well, if you're looking to build muscle, not necessarily. Chasing discomfort might even slow you down. Norman and Tegan discuss delayed-onset muscle soreness, and why it's not always indicative of a good workout. Got a health question? Shoot us...
01.02.2024
Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection?
Because of the country's high UV levels, Australians hear a lot about the risks of sun exposure. But there are some benefits too. Sunlight enables us to produce vitamin D for strong bones and immune function. But there are other ways...
12.26.2023
Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?
Pet allergies can range from mild to severe — from a nuisance to, occasionally, anaphylaxis. When all you've got is some itchiness and a runny nose, are you doomed to a life without a furry friend? Norman and Tegan discuss the possibility...
12.19.2023
Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?
It's holiday season, and family feasts are inevitable. But is the post-feast nap also inevitable? Norman and Tegan explain why you get so tired after a big meal. And no ... it has nothing to do with being around your extended family. Got a...
12.12.2023
Can listening to music make you smarter?
Binaural beats are a phenomenon that happens in your brain when you listen to two different tones in each ear. There are lots of claims surrounding them — that they can trigger different brain waves and promote different states of mind. Norman and...
12.05.2023
Am I addicted to caffeine?
Caffeine is a part of many people's routines, whether it be a shot of coffee or a cup of tea. If you've ever noticed a headache creeping in when you've missed your morning cup of joe, Norman and Tegan are here...
11.28.2023
What is the perfect nap duration?
Napping can be risky. Will you wake up feeling better or worse? There's no doubt that sometimes an afternoon snooze is an absolute necessity. Norman and Tegan explore what's going on when you nap, and what you can do to get the...
11.21.2023
Are probiotics worth the money?
If you've ever been told to take a probiotic — after a course of antibiotics, or just for your general health — you may be wondering what they actually do. Well, Norman and Tegan are here to dig into the research about these...
11.14.2023
Does it matter whether I enjoy exercise?
Consistent exercise is good for you, but does it make any difference whether you actually enjoy what you're doing? Norman and Tegan explore how fun might help you establish a work-out habit that benefits your body and your mind. Got a health...
11.07.2023
End of Coronacast, but we're not going away!
As the saying goes: All good things must come to an end. But don't go away, we've got something big coming! Obviously we're not talking about the pandemic — as it certainly isn't good and it certainly isn't over. We're talking about...
10.24.2023
INTRODUCING — Hello AI Overlords (and some Coronacast news!)
Hello Coronacasters - it's been a while! We have a little bit of news to share about what's coming up for Coronacast. Also, Tegan's here to share a very special podcast recommendation! It's a new season of Science Friction! It's called Hello AI...
09.26.2023
Getting a (strong) grip on Long COVID
There's still so much to learn about COVID, and this week we have two big things about Long COVID and how long we spread the virus. Firstly, a recent study has drawn a link between hand grip strength and post Long...
09.19.2023
When will we be out of the COVID pandemic phase?
It's a question that we've been asking since the very beginning of the pandemic: when will it really end? It's easy to think that because people are vaccinated and less attention is paid to COVID, it's over. In reality more than 5000...
09.12.2023
We're finally feeling a bit less lonely!
The COVID pandemic brought on a whole bunch of change to nearly everyone in the world. All of a sudden people were under lockdowns, out of work, unable to see their loved ones, even fighting for their lives. But ever so steadily,...
09.05.2023
Why the risk of Long COVID might be falling
One of the big scary unknowns that remains with COVID is long-COVID. There are hundreds of thousands of Australians with the condition. But little bit by little bit, researchers are working out more and more about it. And in some good news -...
08.29.2023
Where have all the new variants gone?
In the early days of COVID, it seemed like we were getting new variants of concern every few months. Wuhan led to Alpha then to Delta via a side trip to Beta for parts of the world. But ever since Omicron came...
08.22.2023
Pirola! An asteroid? Football player? No, it's the latest strain!
It seems like a mere week ago that we were talking about the last new variant - because it was only a week ago. Move over Eris, there's a new variant in town: Pirola. Unlike most of the recent strains going around,...
08.15.2023
Hello furry mammal are you the next pandemic?
Wherever you look, viruses are going into and coming out of animals. Mostly this happens without much fanfare, though occasionally it causes big problems. Which is why it's concerning that researchers in Europe have started to sound the alarm about fur farms...
08.08.2023
Can picking your nose lead to COVID
If you think that excavating your nose is a harmless if somewhat disgusting habit - think again. A new study reckons you could emerge with COVID-19. Other studies worry about how forgetful having your fingernail so close to the brain might make...
08.01.2023
How you and 200 friends can save one hospitalisation
We've said it before and we'll say it again - make sure you get your booster dose. But what, you ask, is in it for me? How likely am I to be the one who dodges severe disease? Well a new study...
07.25.2023
COVID's not alone in the wastewater
In the early days of COVID, we used wastewater surveillance to spot undetected community transmission. Our sewage gave public health authorities early alerts that COVID was spreading. Wastewater surveillance also gives information on sub variants: what's on the rise and what's in...
07.18.2023
How do COVID antivirals work? And what's with the rebound?
A lot has been said about COVID antivirals, especially on how they might help bring down the number of deaths from the disease. But occasionally an interesting phenomenon occurs: a patient takes the antiviral drugs, feels better, only to come down...
07.11.2023
What's RSV again? The *other* winter virus that's hitting hard
It's the depths of winter, and every second person you know has a cold of some sort. Most are mild but some can hit hard - as we all know from COVID and influenza. But what about the third virus in...
07.04.2023
What happened to Sweden? We're answering your questions!
It was a massive question at the start of the pandemic: is Sweden's strategy of keeping things open a better way forward? Zoom ahead a few years, and it's still on the minds of Coronacast listeners. This week, we're digging into what...
06.27.2023
Is this why it feels like everyone keeps getting COVID?
Our immune system does an amazing job keeping us healthy - but it works in mysterious ways, especially when it comes into contact with novel viruses like SARS-CoV-2. We've talked a bit before about imprinting - the concept where the first...
06.20.2023
What makes a COVID superspreader?
We've all heard that COVID spreads in clusters and sometimes the cluster comes from a single person who can infect nearly everyone around them. They're superspreaders and it's been opaque how much virus a superspreader is actually responsible for spreading around. Now...
06.13.2023
What could a diabetes drug do for long COVID?
Sometimes a study comes along that shows some amazing results and one published in The Lancet does just that. The study - which looked at people aged between 30 and 85 who were overweight or had obesity - has found a "globally...
06.10.2023
Introducing - Quick Smart
Tegan has been playing away, making another show. It's called Quick Smart, and because you're such a loyal Coronacast listener, we'll give you a preview here. If you like it, please find the Quick Smart feed and subscribe! This first ep is about...
06.06.2023
We're in a wave - are more drugs the answer?
The public health measures we relied on in years past to control COVID have now largely gone. Social distancing is no more and there aren't nearly as many masks around as there once was and we're grossly under-immunised. So what about antivirals?...
05.30.2023
Wait ... how many people have long COVID?
Long COVID has nearly been around as long as COVID itself. It wasn't long after the pandemic began before we started hearing about long haulers - people who were suffering from the virus long after testing negative. But even today, we still...
05.23.2023
How many shots should I have had by now?
In 2021, Aussies were queueing round the block quite literally for COVID-19 vaccines one and two.
05.16.2023
Is there a new flu surge?
As respiratory disease goes, COVID got us good. But it's important we don't forget the old school ones like flu and RSV. There's quite a bit of flu around at the moment too. It could even be described as a surge. So...
05.09.2023
WHO's given up on COVID?
With the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcing that COVID-19 is no longer a "global health emergency", you'd be forgiven for thinking the pandemic's over. But alas, it isn't. According to WHO, the "emergency" phase is over but COVID will remain a persistent...
05.02.2023
Arcturus' rise: Another COVID (sub sub sub) variant!
The Omicron variant has been spinning off all sorts of sub variants during its 17 month long reign. The latest is XBB.1.16 - known also as Arcturus - and like its sibling sub variants doesn't seem to be all that different. But...

What's What's That Rash? about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

What's That Rash? episodes:

How can you boost your immune system?

Is it safe to dose yourself with pre-workout?

How do over-the-counter painkillers compare?

Restless Legs Syndrome and how it's treated

Kate's cancer announcement: What do we know about her health?

Is your (artificial) sweet tooth killing you?

Pimples, spots and pleuks: The who, why and what (to do)

Why are mosquitoes so attracted to me?

We're doing a live show! Bring your rash to Brisbane March 22

Are hormones hindering your workout?

Why do we have wisdom teeth?

Multivitamins: Are they a scam?

Are chiropractors charlatans or misunderstood?

Does anti-ageing skincare actually work?

What's the deal with night terrors?

Why do we eat cereal for breakfast?

Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bull

Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection?

Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?

Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?

Can listening to music make you smarter?

Am I addicted to caffeine?

What is the perfect nap duration?

Are probiotics worth the money?

Does it matter whether I enjoy exercise?

End of Coronacast, but we're not going away!

INTRODUCING — Hello AI Overlords (and some Coronacast news!)

Getting a (strong) grip on Long COVID

When will we be out of the COVID pandemic phase?

We're finally feeling a bit less lonely!

Why the risk of Long COVID might be falling

Where have all the new variants gone?

Pirola! An asteroid? Football player? No, it's the latest strain!

Hello furry mammal are you the next pandemic?

Can picking your nose lead to COVID

How you and 200 friends can save one hospitalisation

COVID's not alone in the wastewater

How do COVID antivirals work? And what's with the rebound?

What's RSV again? The *other* winter virus that's hitting hard

What happened to Sweden? We're answering your questions!

Is this why it feels like everyone keeps getting COVID?

What makes a COVID superspreader?

What could a diabetes drug do for long COVID?

Introducing - Quick Smart

We're in a wave - are more drugs the answer?

Wait ... how many people have long COVID?

How many shots should I have had by now?

Is there a new flu surge?

WHO's given up on COVID?

Arcturus' rise: Another COVID (sub sub sub) variant!

What's RSV again? The other winter virus that's hitting hard