The truth about home remedies
Jun 26, 2008
The Straits Times
By: Stacey Chia
We all turn to home remedies, passed down through the generations or obtainable on the Internet, to treat little problems at times. But do they do more harm than good?
Dr A. B. John, senior ear, nose and throat surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, said some ear candling websites claim that this practice is safe when it is not.
However, not all home remedies are bad for you. It's just a matter of using common sense with them, Dr John said.
There are some, however, that you should avoid.
Ear candling
This is done by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. The smoke that flows through the ear canal is supposed to create suction that will help remove the wax and dirt in the ear.
Avoid this: Our ears are designed to be self-cleansing. Inserting buds or ear candle cones in the ear often lead to complications like ear infections or compressed ear wax. When ear wax becomes compressed, it could lead to a blocked ear, said DrJohn.
The alternatives: DrJohn suggested using over-the-counter ear drops which will make ear wax soft and allow it to flow out on its own.
Treating acne with toothpaste
Avoid this: Toothpaste not only possibly worsens the acne, it can also cause irritation or burn the surrounding area. Some toothpaste contains high amounts of hydrogen peroxide and can therefore burn the skin, said Dr Cheong Wai Kwong, consultant dermatologist at Specialist Skin Centre.
The alternatives: Dr Cheong suggested using diluted vinegar or diluted salt water to reduce the swelling of acne.
Cutting off finger warts
Avoid this: There have been many cases where people cut their finger warts and end up getting an infection because the blade or instrument used was dirty. If the cut is too deep, it could cause damage to the skin, said Dr K. V. Ratnam from Ratnam's Allergy and Skin Centre.
The alternatives: Dr Ratnam suggested using a pumice stone to file it. Or have it surgically removed by a doctor.
Butter to treat a burn
Avoid this: If the burn is deep, using butter will cause an infection. Butter is not sterile and the skin has already lost its protective function due to the burn. When butter is placed on a defenceless wound, it can introduce bacteria, said Dr Ratnam.
The alternatives: If the burn is mild, you can use cold water to reduce the thermal injury. However, Dr Ratnam cautioned against the use of ice which will constrict blood circulation. If a blister is present, prick it to remove the fluid but keep the skin intact. Using a wet compress afterwards can help suck up excess fluids.
Using fingers to extricate a fish bone stuck in the throat
Avoid this: Don't use your fingers to remove the bone as you risk pushing the fish bone even further down the throat and your fingernails may puncture the tissue lining of your throat, warned Dr Y. H. Goh, consultant at Y H Goh Ear Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Surgery.
The alternatives: Go to the doctor immediately because complications usually arise when patients take too long to get medical help, said DrGoh. The situation may become even more severe when the bone is stuck near the oesophagus because there are many vital organs below it.
Piercing eye styes with a needle
Avoid this: Styes on the eyelids are very close to the eyeballs. You may inadvertently injure your eyeball with the use of a sharp needle so near the eye, said Dr Currie Chiang, consultant eye surgeon at International Eye Clinic.
The alternatives: Soak a clean towel in boiled water and use it to compress the stye. This helps improve blood circulation and softens the stye. You can also apply antiseptic eye cream on the stye, Dr Chiang said.
Alcohol on teething baby's gums
Avoid this: Alcohol has the same effect on babies as it has on adults. It can cause a burning sensation. Also, some people may put the wrong type of alcohol on the gums, said Dr Warren Lee, head of General and Ambulatory Paediatrics Service at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
While whiskey, wine and brandy are made from ethanol and are fit for human consumption, rubbing alcohol and methylated spirits contain methyl alcohol which can cause blindness and is not for human consumption, he said .
The alternatives: Offer the baby something to bite on, such as a teething ring which can help relieve the pain, said Dr Lee.
Home colon cleansing
Avoid this: 'Many people do it for detoxification but I wouldn't recommend it because there are no recognisable benefits. Detoxification takes place largely in the liver and kidneys, the colon is purely a digestive track,' said Dr Chua Bee Hong, general practitioner at Bishan Family Doctors.
The alternatives: Dr Chua said it is more important to develop a healthy diet consisting of a rich supply of antioxidants normally found in fresh fruits and vegetables as even with detoxification, toxins still remain in our bodies.
This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on June 25, 2008.
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