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Medical Advice

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Princess

15:39 / 03.10.07

I am told, by my medical midwife mother no less, that salt is not actually any good in relation to stuff like this. In clinical tests salt water does no better than normal water in relation to healing times.

Of course, this is third hand info, so I might be taling bollocks.

Have you tried lavender oil? It's dirt cheap from Tesco's and you can put it straight onto skin and it doesn't sting. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and mildly anaesthetic.

16:00 / 03.10.07

I reasoned that iodized salt would at least disinfect the water a bit, what with the, you know, iodine, which is what they use to kill stuff in water if they're not worried about shellfish allergies. ('strue.) And disinfected water is better to put on wounds than infected water.

Anyway, doctor's appointment now, and it's not going to cost me as outrageously much as I'd feared, it sounds like. I'm surprised I was able to find one so quickly. And pleased.

Still, not quiiiiite looking forward to it.

MattShepherd: I WEDDED KALI!

16:44 / 03.10.07

A quick warning re. cheap lavender oil: a lot of the cheaper lavender oils come from a lavender hybrid that is bred to create, well, low-quality oil and not much else. Most potent lavender is Lavandula vera, Lavandula officinalis or Lavandula angustifolia; Lavandula Hybrida oil is best avoided.

19:39 / 03.10.07

Right. Doctor seen, so the new request will be good things to put in the water I use to soak my foot in, on doctor's advice. He says soap; I say I don't think so.

Cailín

02:13 / 04.10.07

Zippid:
There isn't actually enough iodine in salt to disinfect anything, just enough to prevent a goitre. You could use apple cider vinegar - disinfects, and softens skin. Also, an over-the-counter topical like Outgrow - helps get the skin around the ingrown area back to rights and dulls the pain.

05:06 / 04.10.07

Oh, damn. Well, there goes that theory. Apple cider vinegar, you say?

ibis the being

23:22 / 28.11.07

I'm posting on behalf of Mr. Ibis. He has what we guessed to be athlete's foot on both feet. But now something similar is on the heel of his hand and I've never heard of athlete's hand... although he does wear gloves at work a lot (truck driver) so maybe it spread via scratching and grew inside damp gloves? Anyway, I'm pressing him to get to the doctor (now that we actually have health insurance, wheee), but hoping someone here can confirm our home diagnosis, or has a better idea.

On his foot his skin is peeling, and what's underneath is pink/red... with some red dots kind of... and itchy. His hand is similar. It looks kind of like severe dry skin but with shiny pink parts. Also, I must ask, can he spread this to me if he has athlete's foot fungus on his hands or would I have to wear sweaty gloves all day too? Eew.

Evil Scientist

12:55 / 29.11.07

It's possible to develop Athlete's Foot pretty much anywhere on the body that has the right conditions so it's definitely a possibility that scratching his feet has infected his hands.

It sounds like it's gotten pretty bad so a trip to the doctor is probably a good idea, just to make sure there's no infection. It might be an idea for him to stop wearing the gloves for a little while if that's possible, reduce the heat and moisture the hands are exposed to could help clear the problem up.

grant

14:01 / 29.11.07

I'd imagine any anti-fungal medication would clear it up....

Evil Scientist

14:11 / 29.11.07

True. Something like Lamisil though, to make sure it sorts it out.

ibis the being

17:57 / 29.11.07

Yeah, he's got the anti-fungal stuff for the feet and they've gotten marginally better in the last few days... I'm sure he could use it on his hands - still pushing him to see a doc though. He can't really go without gloves at work, though I'd say it's definitely time for a fresh pair!

Triplets

20:01 / 29.11.07

Definitely. Tell him to stop being a big jessie and get to the doctor's. Jack Burton, a true trucker's trucker, would seek medical advice...

doozy floop

19:00 / 30.11.07

I just had my wisdom teeth out!!

It's not a medical problem: just feeling hard as nails - right up till the dentist showed me the bloody, gore-ridden teeth on his little tray thing, right beside all the shiny silver torture equipment. went a bit woozy then.

and everyone in the UK say thank you to the NHS for me, for it cost almost naught. Shame I have to eat pureed food for approximately forever though.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

22:10 / 06.12.07

Quick question -- cold sore on my lower lip, just wondering if there's anything to be done to encourage it in the direction of healing?

22:30 / 06.12.07

Lysine cream. You can also take lysine as a supplement to discourage recurrence. It's an amino acid.

Hallo, Paper Spaceboy

22:46 / 06.12.07

Thanks, Zippy! I'll look into getting some in the morning.

Tsuga

23:05 / 06.12.07

I've heard can also try eating foods higher in lysine and lower in arginine (chocolate, unfortunately, is one of those high in arginine). Though I think reducing stress is ultimately going to be the best thing for you, if it's possible. Good luck.

Triplets

23:47 / 06.12.07

Papers, it's possible that, with your dependency on lysine, you may have bred for display in an island safari park.

I'm just sayin'.

jentacular dreams

13:19 / 07.12.07

For more info, lookie here.

Shrug

15:42 / 17.05.08

I just had my appendix removed (about a week ago) and I'm pretty sure they told me to remove my paper stitches in about a week. I tried to do this today but it began to seem like a terrible idea half way through so I just stuck the paper stitch back over it and bandaged myself up. The wound seemed to have a lot of white discharge and it was quite sore. Should I just go for it and pull them off or just seek medical advice on Monday when I can use the free college doctor and avoid a 80euro callout fee?

Mistoffelees

16:15 / 17.05.08

I´d rather have a professional handle that, were I in your position. If the wound doesn´t hurt or otherwise change much from now, do it on monday. Otherwise go to a hospital today.

jentacular dreams

15:41 / 18.05.08

Belatedly seconded. That's an infection by the sound of it. Hope you're already there.

Get well soon Shrug!

Shrug

19:31 / 18.05.08

Thanks Mist/Mouse. Going doctor-wards tomorrow. Still sore and gross. Exams are coming up so hopefully this won't effect my sitting of them.
I REFUSE to spend a year more than necessary in Dublin.

Lama glama

12:54 / 21.05.08

Lately, I've been gradually becoming more aware of a sort of ringing, or buzzing noise in my ears. There's nothing externally making that noise, and I don't think it's in my head: it actually sounds like a bee, or static or something else I can't describe. I'm worried that I've permanently damaged my hearing somehow, but I know I'm never exposed to very loud noises (except, possibly, my mp3 player). I know that I should probably go to the doctor with this, but I was just wondering has this ever happened to anyone here before and has it gone away of its own accord? Not bloody likely, I suppose.

The drums, the never ending drumbeat!

Ava Banana

18:00 / 21.05.08

Don't know if this at all helpful, but my partner takes regular medication for migraines and hearing odd high-pitched ringing is one of the side-effects. Are you taking any meds which could be causing it?

Axolotl

10:22 / 22.05.08

Sounds like tinnitus. Wikipedia as ever is your friend. It can go away on its own, but you're probably better off heading to the doctors.

Lama glama

13:18 / 22.05.08

Ooh, tinnitus does sound like what it could be. Looks like I'm Doctor bound, although one of the treatments for it sounds completely terrifying: Gamma knives.

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