Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 12, 1993 TAG: 9309170404
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Information on these and other favorites are cited in American Health magazine. Included are:
Sunburn. Apply compresses soaked in cool water, milk, witch hazel or tea. Yogurt and shaving lotion are also soothing. For extra relief, immerse yourself in a cool bath doctored with finely ground oatmeal or baking soda.
Hiccups. Eat a teaspoon of granulated sugar. Doctors speculate this may work with nerve impulses in the mouth that signal the diaphragm to contract and thus trigger an attack.
Insect stings and bites. For easing the pain, try a meat tenderizer containing the enzyme papain. Applied immediately, papain breaks down the protein-based venom. Others which also work for mosquito or fly bites include heat, ice, a drop of household ammonia, a paste of baking soda and water and an aspirin rubbed on the moistened sting.
Diaper rash. Soak gauze or cosmetic cotton squares in an aluminum acetate solution. Place them on the rash, then diaper the baby as usual to hold the compresses in place.
Nosebleeds. Sit up straight, squeeze your nose closed, and hold it for five or 10 minutes.
The common cold. Chicken soup and tea with lemon and honey often help. Drink plenty of liquids to replace lost fluids and loosen mucous secretions. Caffeine, which is in the same family as the asthma drug theophylline, can lessen wheezing and coughing.
All the remedies listed in this article should be taken with a general application of common sense.
Seek medical advice if your ailment doesn't improve within a day or two or is accompanied by inexplicable symptoms.
by CNB