Danielle Perkins wondered if vitamin B could do magic for her hair and skin. But instead of asking her doctor, she headed for the Internet.

"That's what I heard, so I looked it up," the economics senior said.

Now, more students go online to get answers for their health concerns instead of asking a doctor, friend or parent, according to a 2006 Olin Health Center survey.

But the survey also showed students don't always believe what they read online — only 22.8 percent found online health information to be credible.

Most believed what their doctors said. Of 1,073 students surveyed, 92 percent said they trusted their doctors' medical advice.

So in response, Olin, located on campus near Grand River Avenue, held a Halloween-themed open house Wednesday evening to give students an opportunity to meet the staff.

At the health center — decorated with festive balloons and fake spiderwebs — students could meet employees from different departments, said Kathi Braunlich, Olin's communications and planning coordinator.

Now, maybe students will feel more comfortable talking with the Olin medical staff, she said.

The open house also introduced students to Olin's lesser-known services, such as psychology, dentistry and physical therapy.

"It's a lot more than just a primary clinic and a pharmacy," Braunlich said.

Christopher Shamass, a kinesiology and premedical junior who helped organize the event, said Olin does more than just diagnose sick people.

"Our goal is for people to come in and see the health center out of its ordinary environment," he said.

Simran Gill, a premedical and psychology junior, grabbed pamphlets Wednesday on subjects ranging from mental health to alcohol poisoning.

Gill, a racial ethnic student aide in Holmes Hall, is helping about 80 students this year adjust to college life.

"I want them to come to me," Gill said. "We're like personal counselors for them."

Now that she's armed with the health information, Gill plans to keep it in her giant binder and pull it out when students are confused about a health issue or aren't sure how to make a doctor's appointment.

"A lot of them are freshmen and don't know how," she said.

If Brooke Grammatico has health concerns or wants information on birth control, she asks her doctor back home in Ann Arbor or talks to an expert at Planned Parenthood health center.

The nutritional sciences junior prefers talking to a medical professional than just asking her friends.

"I know I'll get a real answer instead of someone just guessing," Grammatico said.

Still, some students turn to their peers when they have a health issue on their mind.

Maggie Thomson, an education freshman, thought she had a bladder infection, so she went to a friend who had experienced one to compare symptoms.

"I usually ask a friend first," she said.