Ten summer health myths exposed

We were all told certain stories when we were children. You know the ones; if you keep making that face it will stay that way, or if you swallow a piece of gum it will stay in your stomach for seven years.

While some of these are obviously not true, we still tend to believe certain myths because to some degree they make some logical sense. Plus, when you're told these things as a child by adults that you trust, you're going to start to believe it.

Well, the staff of Campbell County Medical Group wants to keep you healthy this summer by exposing ten common myths.

1. Swallowing watermelon seeds is bad for you: Our digestive systems actually can't digest watermelon seeds. Don't be alarmed if you accidently eat one though, because it won't harm you, and it certainly won't grow inside you. Instead the seed will pass directly through your digestive system.
2. Don't swim for 30 minutes after you eat: The worst that could happen is you'll get cramps, but you certainly won't get ill or drown. So feel free throw this old rule out the window.
3. You can get poison ivy from someone else who has it: The only way you can get poison ivy is if you come into contact with the plant's contagious oils; not with someone else's poison ivy rash.
4. Hopping on one foot dislodges water from your ear: This actually will not work because the inside of your ear is curved. Instead, pinch the cuplike part of your ear between your index finger and thumb, tilt your head to the side and firmly wiggle your ear.
5. You can catch a cold from central air conditioning: The only way you can catch a cold is if you come into contact with an actual cold or flu virus. It has nothing to do with your air conditioning.
6. You can't get a sunburn on a cloudy day: You can actually get a sunburn anytime you are outside, even on cloudy days, because your skin is still being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. You can learn more about ways to prevent sun exposure and skin cancer at http://bit.ly/1ehadTW.
7. You have to suck or scrape out a bee stinger: These two methods of removing a bee stinger can actually make it worse by either breaking it, making it harder to remove, or by infecting the wounded area. It's best to just squeeze out the stinger as quickly as possible.
8. Butter helps soothe sunburns: It actually can cause more pain and delay the healing process because of infectious bacteria in the butter. Instead, use soothing aloe vera lotion or gel.
9. Eating garlic will keep mosquitos away: This is not true. Instead use bug spray or lavender oil to keep the pests at bay.
10. Any drink will rehydrate you on a hot day: The truth is that alcohol and other drinks high in sugar actually dehydrate you. Water is always your best choice for rehydrating.

There you have it. CCMG has debunked ten of the most popular summer health myths for you. Now you can spend more time enjoying your summer rather than worrying about those silly old wives tales we were told as kids. For more information on summer health myths you can also visit Best Health or The Gazette.