by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The most popular article in our latest e-newsletter took on a simple, long-time first-aid remedy: hydrogen peroxide. Believe it or not, it may do your cuts more harm than good.

After our managing editor tweeted a link to it, Twitter follower Ross Kennedy asked, “What about gargling with diluted peroxide?” Good question.

I’m not aware of any well-done studies that have shown that gargling with peroxide helps prevent infections. It probably doesn’t hurt, as long as it’s well diluted. (Otherwise, it can cause a burn.) One study did suggest that gargling with plain old water might help keep you cold-free. But the validity of its findings has been questioned.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Once, I told a perfectly sane, intelligent and otherwise coherent patient to wait in the exam room to have blood work drawn. He smiled, said thanks and followed me out the door. I told him again he needed to come back into the room and wait to have blood drawn. He smiled, said thanks again and walked down the hall to leave. When he opened the door to go to the reception area, I had to gently restrain him so he would actually listen to what I was telling him. He had no fear of the lab work itself. He was just nervous about being in an unfamiliar setting and didn’t comprehend what I was saying.

If you’re like a lot of patients, you forget much of the advice your doctor gives by the time you walk out the door. You’re nervous, traumatized or more concerned about getting out of the building in one piece. Either that or the doctor was too rushed to give you the information in the first place.

We have a new article that provides general instructions on what to do after treatment for some common ailments. (The advice is generic. Always get specifics for your case.) I also wrote a follow-up on common misconceptions I see in my office.

Have you ever made any mistakes treating yourself at home?

James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H., is the publisher of www.MyFamilyDoctorMag.com, a Web site written by health-care providers for the general public.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Pop quiz:

1. Why are some outdoor workers more prone to heat strokes after the first hot spell in early summer than later when it gets even hotter?
2. Why are there more heat strokes in Chicago when the temperature may be hotter elsewhere at the same time?

Answer:

Much has to do with your body having time to adapt, otherwise called acclimatization.  It takes between eight and 12 days for your body to acclimate to higher temperatures so when those hot days hit, you’re not ready.  The body acclimates to heat by: (more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Summertime comes with lots of tips on how to stay cool. But for you how-stuff-works buffs out there, here’s the science behind why those tips work.

First, some basics on your body and heat.

• Heat is energy and is generated.  Cold is not generated, but is the absence of heat.
• Your body generates heat from metabolism even while you’re at rest (called the basic metabolic rate or BMR).  In fact, it usually creates more than you need.  Mechanisms explained below regulate you around 98.6 F.
• You generate as much as three to six times more heat with exercise.
• Just resting in the hot sun can increase your BMR 50 percent more than resting in the shade.
• Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and cocaine also cause you to generate more heat.

Now, here are the whys behind some of the dos.
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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The following is for information only.  Everyone has unique qualities or diseases that might affect treatment and healing.  Contact your personal health-care provider for specific advice.  These are generalized tips that may help until then.  I would love to hear additional ones from you.

First-aid supplies to have on hand for skin ailments:

• Adhesive bandages of various sizes.
• Tape. Any will do—even duct tape.  Of course, if you’ve had past skin reactions to tape, have plenty of hypoallergic or paper tape available.  Ideally, have several widths—or get a wide one and just tear it lengthwise to fit your need.
• Gauze. Get a pack of non-sterile and some sterile nonstick.
• Butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips.
• Antibiotic ointment for cuts, scratches or breaks in the skin.
• Hydrocortisone ointment, large tube, to treat skin inflammation, itching or irritation.  Not useful for cuts.  Use sparingly and not over one week on the face or two weeks elsewhere because it may start thinning your skin.

Other good items to have, but not essential:

• Peroxide for cleaning wounds
• Cotton-tip applicators for cleaning wounds or applying topicals (never for cleaning ears).
• Aloe vera plant. The gel inside the leaf soothes about any superficial burn or rash.  Just break off a leaf near the bottom of the plant; take a knife and split it open; make multiple superficial horizontal and vertical cuts to get the gel out, and apply directly.
• Domeboro tablets or powder.
• Super glue (to make the tape stick better, not for gluing the wound shut).

HOW TO TREAT POISON IVY, OAK, SUMAC

Almost any plant can can cause skin irritation.  Some cause allergic reactions, with poison ivy, oak and sumac being most common.

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