Don't Try These Home Remedies!
By Sara Butler
It's true that there are some everyday items that have some incredible healing powers. Gargling with salt water for a sore throat? It really does help. Taking an oatmeal bath to soothe itchy skin? Again, totally a winner. But there are some common home remedies that don't work and, what's worse, they may even make things worse. Here are a few home remedies you need to forget you ever learned if you want to stay healthy.
Putting Butter on Burns
How many times did your grandmother tell you to apply butter to a burn? If she told you any number of times over 0, then she was wrong.
Applying butter to a burn can actually seal in bacteria, which can then lead to an infection in the burned tissue. It also creates an environment on the burn that encourages bacteria to grow, which can irritate the skin even more. The natural remedy you can use, as long as there's no open wound, is to apply aloe vera to a minor burn. Anything more than that needs medical attention.
Treating Lice with Mayonnaise
It is true that live lice can be smothered with mayonnaise, but it won't kill the eggs. Plus, mayo turns rancid quick, so coating your whole head in it and leaving it on for hours can be a big stinky mess. A better way to treat lice at home without harsh chemicals? Use oil and vinegar.
Put olive oil on your scalp and leave it on for three hours. Then, apply undiluted white distilled vinegar to your scalp. This will break down the casings on the lice eggs and remove them from your hair. You may need to repeat the process a couple of days later to kick those bugs out for good.
Licking a Wound
Mothers the world over are known for using their spit to clean children's faces. And sometimes, when you cut your finger, your first reaction might be to put it in your mouth -- but you need to resist that urge. Blowing on a wound or introducing any type of saliva to it can be dangerous. That's because your saliva and your breath have a lot of bacteria. This can lead to an infection in a wound. Instead, use fresh water to rinse the wound and use a sterile bandage if needed.
Some home remedies persist even though they're not good for your health or healing. Make sure to double check with a medical professional before you try something at home to cure what ails you.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Katy, Tex.