Dr Xand's Con or Cure 

Original version

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West HD

Dr Xand's Con or Cure

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

The facts, not the fakes, about your health.

The facts, not the fakes, about your health with Dr Xand van Tulleken and Ashley John-Baptiste. From social media scams to health scares, they'll shine a light on bad medicine.

Series 2

BBC One North West

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

BBC One North West HD

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria HD

BBC One North East & Cumbria

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East HD

BBC One East HD

BBC One Oxfordshire

BBC One Yorks & Lincs HD

BBC One Channel Islands

BBC One London

London

BBC One South HD

BBC One West Midlands HD

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One South West

BBC One Channel Islands HD

BBC One Yorkshire

BBC One South East

BBC One Cambridgeshire HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region. Separated as BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One London HD

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One East Midlands HD

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

BBC One Yorkshire HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire

BBC One West HD

BBC One Oxfordshire HD

BBC One Wales

Wales

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

Alexander van Tulleken

Ashley John-Baptiste

Richard Collier

Brendan Hughes

Karen Donnelly

Tern Television Productions

Dr Xand's Con or Cure: Series 2: Episode 15

Episode 15

BBC One - Dr Xand's Con or Cure, Series 2, Episode 15

Tips on getting a good night’s sleep, and is castor oil a cure-all?

Tips on getting a good night’s sleep, and is castor oil a cure-all? Also, a look at the dangers of skin-lightening creams, and whether crossing your legs can cause varicose veins.

Skin-lightening creams are popular but can be dangerous. Many such products sold online have chemicals that are banned in the UK and can cause nerve and liver damage or cancer. Londoner Daniel’s prolonged use of one cream caused severe burning and his skin to peel off. Dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch outlines the side effects and gives us advice. 

Castor oil is commonly used to help with skin ailments and constipation. However, on social media it is now being claimed as a remedy for all sorts of conditions, from cysts and fibroids to improving vision, reducing wrinkles and boosting hair growth. But do any of these claims stand up? 

Could nightmares be a sign of health problems, and is there any way to cure them that will bring a restful night’s sleep? Sleep psychologist Stephanie Romiszewski lifts the lid on how nightmares work and offers an easy tip to improve our ability to get a good night’s rest. 

BBC reporter Jonathan Gibson investigates the rise in online sales of drugs for sexual health issues like gonorrhoea and syphilis, and discovers just how dangerous things can get if you don’t speak to qualified medical practitioners about your condition. 

Can crossing your legs can give you varicose veins? We look at the truth behind varicose veins and what you can do if you have them.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Dr Xand's Con or Cure

Series 2

Episode 15

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC One South West HD

About BBC One