5 Myths About Summer

We're here to throw cold water on these warm-weather health tales.

- By Kate Rockwood

MYTH #1 Air conditioning can give you a cold.

MYTHBUSTER Sorry, Grandma! Colds are caused by viruses and only viruses. There's no evidence that cold exposure alone causes colds, says Kwame Akoto, M.D., a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Baltimore. Too much AC can, however, reduce moisture in your upper airways, leading to thinning and cracking in the airway lining, Dr. Akoto says. This may make your throat feel scratchy and your nose or sinuses feel dry (saline nasal sprays and mists can help, he says). Also, a poorly maintained air conditioner can be a breeding ground for mold or mildew, leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose, so be sure to replace air filters, consider using a HEPA filter, and clean up any water that collects.

MYTH #2 Poison ivy rashes are contagious.