MYTHS

Myth: Swimming less than an hour after eating is dangerous.

One study that examined all drownings in the United States found that fewer than one percent of all drownings occur within an hour after the person ate a meal. Much more dangerous, however, is swimming after consuming an alcoholic beverage. According to the CDC, alcohol use and intoxication is associated with up to half of all adolescent and adult deaths that occur while swimming recreationally.

Myth: Sunburns will “fade to a tan.

Sunburns and suntans are completely different. A sunburn means that the tissue in the skin has been overexposed to UV light, causing burning and inflammation. A suntan, on the other hand, is a result of moderate UV exposure, which causes skin cells called melanocytes to release a pigment called melanin. Melanin is a darker pigment that absorbs UV light, protecting the skin from UV damage.

Myth: People with darker skin do not need to use sunscreen.

People with naturally darker skin have more melanin in their skin, so their skin is more prone to absorb damaging UV rays, protecting them from sunburns. However, it is still possible for darker-skinned people to get sunburned when overexposed to the sun.

Myth: Salty sea water is good for cleaning cuts and other wounds.

home-made salt water is good for disinfecting cuts, sea water contains many germs and impurities that can actually cause harm if they enter the body through an open wound or sore. Tropical waters can also host some harsh bacteria, because warmer water encourages bacteria to grow.

Myth: Any type of cooking has the same effect/benefit

Steaming is one of the best ways to capitalize on a vegetable’s taste, color, and most importantly, its nutrients. Vegetables lose nutrients in the water they are cooked in. Healthful (and flavor-conscious!) chefs often save the water (in which vegetables is boiled) to make savory soups and other palatable recipes that require vegetable stock to regain some of the nutrients lost.

Myth: Small doses of adult medicines are safe for children.

Beware: Babies and kids are NOT small adults. Their body metabolizes drugs differently.

Myth: Teething can cause fevers in babies

Fever in a teething baby shouldn’t be written off and medical attention should be sought

Myth: Certain videos can help babies learn sooner

AAP says that the educational merit of media for children younger than 2 years remains unproven

Myth: Walkers are a safe way to help babies walk earlier

Remember, a baby in a walker can quickly and unexpectedly approach a staircase

Myth: Crib bumpers are a safe way to protect babies’ heads while they sleep

Risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) from crib bumpers is high enough that the AAP recommends all soft bedding, including bumpers, be removed from an infant’s crib.

Myth: Use breast milk to treat an ear infection

Breast milk does have some antibodies in it. But it also has lots of sugars in it that bacteria love to grow on.

Myth: Babies need water when it’s hot

Not true. Babies, like children and adults, need to stay hydrated. Use Electrolytes.

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