5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong About

Dec. 17, 2013— -- intro:It's been a bad week for moms.

The week started off with an announcement that the Food and Drug Administration has not been able to prove whether antibacterial soaps actually prevent illness. A few hours later, two studies declared that multivitamins don't do much good either.

Next, they're going to tell us you can't catch the flu from playing in the snow without a hat! Oh, wait…

Check out the myths you probably you grew up with without realizing they were myths.

quicklist: 1 category: 5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong Abouttitle:Use antibacterial soapurl:text:The FDA announced this week that antibacterial soap makers would have to prove their products are actually better than plain soap at stopping the spread of germs.

The FDA has not found evidence to suggest the antibacterial ingredients -- triclosan and triclocarban – are more effective. In fact, these ingredients may even cause harm in the long term, such as "bacterial resistance and hormonal effects."

"Antibacterial soaps and body washes are used widely and frequently by consumers in everyday home, work, school, and public settings, where the risk of infection is relatively low," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. "Due to consumers' extensive exposure to the ingredients in antibacterial soaps, we believe there should be a clearly demonstrated benefit from using antibacterial soap to balance any potential risk."

The announcement doesn't affect hand sanitizers or anything used in a medical setting.

quicklist: 2 category: 5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong Abouttitle:Take multivitaminsurl:text:In a medical journal editorial, researchers analyzed three studies and concluded that multivitamins had no benefit for people without micronutrient deficiencies.

The studies, which involved thousands of people, showed multivitamins didn't slow cognitive decline, didn't reduce heart problem risk, and offered no benefit regarding mortality, cardiovascular disease or cancer.

quicklist: 3 category: 5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong Abouttitle:Cold weather causes fluurl:text:Playing in the snow without a hat won't make you sick. Neither will going to bed with wet hair in the winter.

That's because the flu season isn't tied to cold weather. This time last year Mississippi had the most flu cases in the country even though the avenge temperature was 53 degrees Fahrenheit.

Instead, the flu season is tied to the school year. The only reason winter seems to play a factor is because low temperatures force children indoors where they play together and spread germs – and then bring them home to mom and dad.

quicklist:4 category: 5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong Abouttitle:Feed a cold, starve a feverurl:text:This old adage is completely untrue, doctors have been saying for years.

Yes, being sick can affect your appetite, but you shouldn't force feed yourself or starve yourself. Do what feels right, and stay hydrated.

quicklist:5category: 5 Things Your Mom Was Wrong Abouttitle:Milk makes mucusurl:text:While some people believe it's best to avoid dairy when you have a cold because it generates phlegm, it's not necessary. Milk products don't turn you into a snot factory, studies have shown.