Off the Wall Medical Trivia Quiz

Answer: It contains the same compound as a skunk's spray.

Asparagus contains the same sulfur compound that is found in skunk spray, rotten eggs, garlic, and some other 'fragrant' items. It is called mercaptan. It seems some ethnic groups are able to break down mercaptan, while others cannot.

Answer: They contain capsaicin.

Capsaicin stimulates the part of your nervous system that controls mucus production. Some hot foods such as wasabi do not contain capsaicin. You can eat those without worrying about nostril drip.

Answer: No

There is a chance that it can become tucked under your eyelid. Other than that there is nowhere it can go.

Answer: Physiological study of human laughter

Gelotology is the study of the effects of humor and laughter on the human body. There is a type of seizure called gelastic seizures that causes a person to laugh uncontrollably.

Answer: Bacterial fermentation of sweat

Stinky pit sweat is called bromhidrosis. The armpit is a perfect dark moist location for bacteria to go forth and multiply. The sweat begins to ferment. Hairy armpits actually have increased surface area for the bacteria and sweat to cling. Thank goodness for deodorant.

Answer: No

I remember my grandparents telling me to do this. It turns out butter actually traps heat under the skin and could actually make the burn do deeper damage. Cool water is always a much better alternative. For a more serious burn, you should always get medical help.

Answer: No

Honestly, I had always heard you should pee on it. It's all over the internet. This even came up in an episode of 'Friends', so it must be a pretty wide spread belief. This however, has now been proven incorrect. Ammonia is now known to be a trigger for the stinging cells. Peeing on it will only make matters worse.

What should you do? As the editor of this quiz pointed out, this is a pretty controversial question. The book I wrote this quiz from says vinegar. In some types of jellyfish this actually blocks the stinging cells. In other types it can trigger them. It seems that the most universal treatment is hot water, about 45 degrees Celsius. The best thing to do is to be familiar with the types of jellyfish in your area and what works for them specifically.

Answer: Keep the bite lower than the heart and get immediate medical attention.

Don't try to get out of that trip. You have to get medical attention right away. They may supply antivenom, antibiotics, and in some cases surgery. In city areas, most snake bite victims are bitten by their pets.

Answer: poppy seeds

Love those poppy seed muffins? Don't love them too much before a drug test. As little as three poppy seed muffins in the days before a test could potentially do it. Opium, the source of morphine and heroin, is made from poppy.

Answer: Your skin absorbs some water.

The thick epidermis (the top skin layer) of the toe's bottom swells with water, but the dermis (the skin layer under the epidermis) does not. This causes the epidermis to buckle resulting in pruned digits.