Misconceptions

about Skin and

Eye DiseasesChapter 21

Science Misconceptions video

Why is it important to correct common misconceptions?

What problems can misconceptions create in society?

False!

Ringworm can come in a few different forms.

It can infect the skin or it can infect the toes nails. Same fungus, different area of infection.

Everyone who gets ringworm gets a

rash in the shape of red circles

• FALSE!• Even though it can feel good to get the pressure of pus out of the acne pustule, you really are pushing the infection deeper into your skin. This can make the infection worse.

• If you can’t resist popping, use a comedone extractor!

It is best to get pus out of pimples by

popping them

• FALSE!• Acne is caused by the over production of sebum

• Propionibacterium acnes encourages additional acne to form but the main cause of teenage acne is the increased production of sebum

Dirt and fatty foods cause acne

• FALSE!• There is no scientific evidence that multiple shots at one time will harm your immune system.

• It saves time AND money.• You may feel queasy because of being injected, but not because of booster shots.

Multiple immunizations at one time

will overload your body and make

you sick

• FALSE!• Shaving only removes the hair from the surface of the hair. When it grows back, all the hair grows back with flattened ends simultaneously.

Shaving makes your hair grow back

thicker

• FALSE!• Passing gas can’t cause pink eye. Pink eye is an infection of the conjunctiva.

• Can be viral or bacterial.• Wash hands and good hygiene.

Farting can cause pink eye

• FALSE!• There is no such thing as a “flesh-eating bacteria.”

• Necrotizing fasciitis releases toxins which destroy your skin. The bacteria don’t munch away at you!

There is such thing as a flesh-eating

bacteria!

• FALSE!• Though UV-B rays are your typical “sunburn” rays. Tanning beds still have UV-A rays which actually penetrate deeper into your skin.

• UV-A rays are your “tanning/bronzing” rays• Constant exposure to these light rays can alter the DNA

Tanning beds are safe as long as

they don’t have the UV-B rays

• FALSE!• There is usually an incubation period where the opportunistic pathogen will colonize you before you start to feel the affects

• STDs can lie dormant for years or never even produce symptoms

Viral, bacterial, and fungal

infections are always obvious

because I can see them

Once I have an STD or fungal

infection, I’ll never get it again

• FALSE!• Fungal infections and STDs may never go away.

• Just because you rid the symptoms, doesn’t mean you no longer have the infection/disease.

• Your body will recognize bacteria or viral infections, but fungal infections will persist.

So…..

What do we

think now?

Misconceptions in Medicine

Why are misconceptions important to address?

Give an example of a misconception about skin and

eye diseases?

What stood out as most surprising?

Does this information change the way you view

anything in science?

Poll-Everywhere