The internet is a useful tool to find the information you need quickly, but it can also easily circulate myths. If you’ve been following these all-too-common health myths, you may want to rethink your routine.
Myth #1: You Need to Clean Your Ears
Although your mother may have told you to wash behind your ears, you don’t necessarily need to wash inside of them. In fact, inner ear wax comes along with many benefits like helping to remove dead skin cells and acting as an antibacterial substance. Moreover, using cotton swabs can push ear wax even deeper into the ear canal, which can create more problems than it’s worth.
If you’re one of the small percentage of people who has excessive earwax, talk to a health professional about your ear cleaning options.
Myth #2: You Can Get the Flu from the Flu Shot
Contrary to popular belief, getting a flu shot will not give you the flu. The flu vaccine contains an unactivated version of the flu virus that cannot be transmitted. On the other hand, there are lots of benefits of getting a flu shot, including a decreased risk of getting the flu and less severe symptoms if you do get it.
Myth #3: You Should Use Hand Sanitizer throughout the Day
Many of us carry around a bottle of hand sanitizer to get rid of germs in a pinch. But if you’re using yours frequently throughout the day, your hands might not be as clean as you think. While hand sanitizer can be a convenient option if you don’t have access to soap and water, it shouldn’t be used as a stand-in for washing your hands.
According to the CDC, hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease.
Myth #4: You Can “Detox” Your Body with a Specific Diet
Detox diets and cleanses are all the rage right now, but the fact of the matter is that there’s no way to “detox” your body by eating or drinking certain foods or drinks. While you can make healthy diet and nutrition choices to up your overall health and wellbeing, you can’t make your body’s natural detoxifying system to work more efficiently than it already does in healthy conditions.
