Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"Cyclone of puberty"

— Kristen Bell on life with her two daughters, ages 11 and 13, which she says brings her to tears weekly. Surely the Bad Place taught her something?

Misdiagnosis, Explained

Does MS Stand for Mystery?

What’s going on: For five years, Christina Applegate has been one of the most visible faces of multiple sclerosis. This week, she shared that her doctors misdiagnosed her — she doesn’t have MS. On MeSsy, the podcast she co-hosts with Jamie-Lynn Sigler (who does have MS), Applegate said she’s “back at square one.” She still needs a wheelchair at doctor’s appointments, and she says her life has “shrunk to the size of [her] California king.” No single test can confirm MS. Doctors look for lesions on an MRI (Applegate has said hers showed about 30) and then rule out every other diagnosis. Even with a scan, there’s room for error: One study found nearly one in five people referred to specialty MS centers had been misdiagnosed.

The overlap problem: MS-like lesions also show up with migraines and radiologically isolated syndrome. Other symptoms like fatigue, numbness, and brain fog can point to lupus, fibromyalgia, or something else entirely. Women are the most likely to get caught in that maze — MS alone is roughly three times more common in women, and about 80% of autoimmune patients are women. When symptoms of chronic illness don’t fit a neat box, they often get chalked up to psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders, and a Cambridge study found that label can wreck patients’ trust in doctors for years. So track your symptoms and write down the dates and what they kept you from doing. If a diagnosis leans hard on a scan, but doesn’t explain everything you feel, ask what else could cause those findings, and get a second opinion.

Related: Multiple Sclerosis: Early Signs and Symptoms (Everyday Health)

PS: Health news moves fast, and your doctor’s appointment is 15 minutes. Skimm Well + Good gets you up to speed so you can make those minutes count. Sign up here.

The News in 6

🗞️ Governments and companies are racing to fix AI-discovered security flaws in software that powers 70% of websites worldwide. Some government sites have temporarily gone dark as a precaution.

🗞️ Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) says she no longer feels safe in her Washington, DC, apartment after a federal raid made her address public. She plans to move, citing death threats and concerns for her children's safety.

🗞️ After a two-month wait, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) denied a request to validate a rapid, high-volume measles test, citing “other competing priorities.” Health officials from four states urged the agency to reconsider.

🗞️ Could the way your brain fits inside your skull affect your Alzheimer's risk? A small new study suggests that pressure on a vulnerable brain region may play a role in dementia.

🗞️ Workers now pay an average of $7,471 toward family health insurance coverage, up 9% from last year. Some benefit.

🗞️ New York City's horse-drawn carriages are headed for their final ride. The City Council passed a bill to phase out the 168-year-old industry by June 2028.

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In Our Rotation

Scientists have cracked the gut–GLP-1 connection — and turned it into the probiotic 29,000 medical professionals swear by. Did we mention it’s 48% off, plus HSA/FSA eligible?^†*

Forget 10k steps if you’re trying to lose weight — the viral Japanese walking trend proves this one-size-fits-all rule is outdated. Take this quiz to calculate your optimal steps to finally move the scale.*

Keep scrolling... more recs below

RIP, Clippy

Is AI Taking a Page from Hello Kitty?

What's going on: Millennials grew up with Clippy, the paperclip-shaped Microsoft Word “office assistant” that helpfully volunteered to format your document as a letter or resume. Gen Z and Gen Alpha have a variety of AI agents to choose from — and almost all of them look like they’d be right at home in a Pixar movie. There’s Muse’s Labubu-esque Jolly, Grok’s baby alien Groklet, OpenAI’s colorful Dots, Genspark’s lobster-shaped Claw, and Anthropic’s pixelated Clawd. As Business Insider reports, there’s a strategy behind the cuteness: to “make us forget about all that AI doom-and-gloom and learn to love it.” The big-eyed, round-faced characters tap into our hardwired instincts to find babies and puppies adorable. They also pique our nostalgia by reminding us of Tamagotchis, MySpace avatars, and Animal Crossing characters. How could something so sweet steal our data?

Talk about cute aggression: This strategy isn’t new. BI compares AI mascots to the way Hello Kitty promoted Japan’s image to a worldwide audience enamored by the cat-shaped girl just five apples tall, while The Wall Street Journal draws parallels to pharma mascots (remember the Zoloft blob?). “The character becomes the brand, turning an abstract technology into a recognizable friend,” ad veteran Cheryl Berman told The WSJ. But with polls showing that Americans are deeply skeptical of AI, it might take more than cute characters to shift public opinion. Just look at the timing: Meta launched Jolly in the wake of lawsuits over consumer safety and privacy, and OpenAI released Dots one day after announcing it would scrap the release of its next AI model over safety concerns. In a recent survey, 72% of respondents said they wouldn’t share credit card details with an AI agent. Apparently, that even includes one as cute as Jolly.

The She-ist She Shed

Women-Only Spaces, Assemble

What’s going on: If you’d always choose the bear, you’ll be pleased to know women-only gyms are making a comeback. This isn’t your mother’s Curves or the standard Pilates studios — though credit where it’s due for paving the way. These new gyms cater to women adding strength training to their routines, offering a place to lift without the grunts or unsolicited advice from gym bros. Members say they feel less intimidated, free to wear what they want, and supported by female trainers focused on confidence and strength over weight loss. And many offer childcare, sometimes one of the biggest barriers to women working out.

No boys allowed: The female-first mindset extends well beyond fitness. At a recent concert, The Sex Pistols (made up entirely of men) hosted a women-only mosh pit, so fans wouldn’t have to worry about being “groped by a neanderthal.” In Pennsylvania, a local police department received backlash for hosting a women-only gun safety class, though one of the organizers said it gave women a judgment-free environment to ask questions. Women’s sports bars are popping up all over the country, giving women (and supportive men) a place to cheer on their favorite teams. And when it’s time for the ride home, Uber now lets women request female drivers (imagine the singalongs). It’s not just about getting away from men, it’s about having spaces built specifically for women.

The Best Gifts for Your People

Ali, Senior Commerce Director, here. As a self-titled “girl with a good memory,” I put pressure on myself when it comes to buying gifts for my loved ones. I love a callback, and when I hear something like, “I buy coffee out too much” or “I’m trying to work out more,” I immediately file it away. So here are a few gifts I feel really confident will please not only my people, but others:

The infamous Icon juice glasses (they really are that good)
Bala Bangles, a classic item they wouldn’t buy themselves but would want to receive
The best tech organizer a wire-challenged person could ask for

PS: If you want more options, click here.

Quick Hits

💍 One bride saved a bottle of One Direction perfume she received 13 years ago to wear on her wedding day. Now that really smells like teen spirit.

🐤 Paul Rudd was spotted at Art of Play, the Brooklyn shop recently caught up in drama with Kelly Clarkson. But did he leave with a $15 million bird automaton?

🥣 Dietitians say these seven foods, including yogurt, miso, and berries, can help support a healthy microbiome.

🏀 NBA star LaMelo Ball says changing his 9-month-old son's diapers is "not my job," leaving that duty to his girlfriend as part of their parenting “game plan.” Um, crappy play call.

🎂 Self-serve "cake sheds" are spreading through the UK, with home bakers selling slices for a few pounds a piece. Now, where’s Paul Hollywood?

🏠 If your holiday hosting prep involves panic-clearing counter space before guests arrive, this is for you. From ancient pantry items to appliances you haven’t used, here’s how to get your home ready.

🎬 These 31 iconic movie sweaters make us wish for colder weather. No one does it like Harry and Sally.

🎃 Halloweentown 5 is officially in early development at Disney, if you needed another reason to rewatch the first four movies. As Marnie said, Halloween is cool.

Skimm This

This week’s winner is…

“Me when the hot water runs out in the middle of my everything shower”

University of St Andrews' Raisin Monday foam party

Rachel B. from Denver, CO, made a splash with 40% of the vote.
Congrats, Rachel — may you always make it to the conditioner.

Until Tuesday. Stay warm.

On Our Calendar

Friday, October 23

🛍️ New Gap x Victoria Beckham collection out

Our fall coat search might be over. Six months after their spring debut, the designer and retailer are back with nearly 40 new pieces, including tailored coats, jeans, and cashmere sweaters. Shop them at 9 am ET.

⚾ World Series starts

Somebody's championship drought is about to end. The Milwaukee Brewers will face off against the Tampa Bay Rays — and both want out of this club. Catch Game 1 at 8 pm ET on FOX.

🍿 Klara and the Sun in theaters

Book clubs assemble: Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestseller is getting the big screen treatment. Jenna Ortega plays Klara, a humanlike robot companion waiting to be chosen by a lonely teen, and she’s incredibly convincing.

Saturday, October 24

🤝 United Nations Day

The UN turns 81 today. Take this quiz to see how well you know the peacekeeping organization.

Sunday, October 25

🍝 World Pasta Day

We’re all in, starting with this creamy, cheesy option that’s ready in 40 minutes. Nonna would be proud.

🍕 World Pizza Makers Day

A day to thank the person who makes your favorite pie. Show your appreciation by making this low-effort, high-reward recipe. Six steps and you’re done.

Psst... See what else is happening this week so you never miss a moment.

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In Our Rotation

Our favorite bra and underwear brand always seems to be running deals.

This customizable vase will surprise and delight anyone on your gifting list.

Psst… love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

KNOW IT ALL

JetBlue is launching a "Do Not Disturb" travel package that includes...

A. A kid-free flight

B. Complimentary noise-canceling headphones

C. A guaranteed empty middle seat

Turn a word search into your favorite strategy game with Spelltower. Clear the board.

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Valerie Agnew (IL), Kelly Stoski (Canada), Laura A Smith (GA), Kelsey Carver (TN), Jessica Smith (AR), Tracy Winter (TX), Donna Nardone (RI), Amy Stevens (Scotland), Dawn Lucas (SC), Katie DeNoia (ME), Fiorella Reategui (FL), Sarah Schuler (MN), Teri Douglas (MO), Miranda Hamaker (TX), and Melanie Krohn (NE)

Take us to the nearest cake shed