Readers' Best Home Remedies
Readers
First we shared our favorite home remedies, then we asked for yours. We pored over all your responses and chose the best home cures for everything from cold sores to dry feet. Continue reading to find out readers' favorite home health tips.
*Body Editors' Note: These are tips from our readers. We always recommend calling a doctor before trying any of these cures at home.
For a Fever
Kristy said: When a child has a high fever, chop up onions, put them on the child's feet and then cover with socks. Kinda smelly, yes, but it works. My grandmother swore by it, and when my 9 year old daughter recently ran a fever of 103, I did this, and her fever broke in an hour, and did not return.
Dry Feet Remedy
Desiree said: Cover your feet with a lot of lotion, whichever kind you prefer, then cover with a pair of thick socks overnight. When you wake up your feet will be softer.
Ericka McConnell, Jupiter Images
Cold Sore Cure
Maggie said: Apply an ice cube at the first sign of a cold sore or fever blister. Stops it in its track! The outbreak is minimal and they seem to be less frequent over time. Apply off and on for about 15 minutes, for a few minutes each time. The trick is to get the ice to it quickly when you first notice it coming on.
Calm Constipation
Desiree said: When I was younger I suffered from severe constipation my pediatrician told my mom to put a teaspoon of Karo syrup (white not brown) in a bottle of warm milk. Relieved the constipation every time.
Alena Hrbkov, Getty Images
Curb Cramps
Ashlee said: For those monthly cramps, I've found that sucking on a ginger candy (the ones made with real ginger) can help reduce the pains. Safe, easy, and legal. Added plus if you like ginger candies.
Susan said: The best natural remedy I found that worked is to drink a glass of milk. You will get immediate results. The calcium in the milk is the cure all.
Desiree said: Take some ibuprofen, lay in bed on your side and pull your knees up to your chest as tight as you can. Makes the cramps go away.
Make Gas Go Away
estella2977 said: For indigestion or gas, a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of lukewarm water works better than any antacid I've ever tried. It's gross, but it's worth the wincing at the taste.
Help Hiccups
fallen5729 said: Try a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice. It works for me every time!!
Jeanetta said: Simply swallow about a half teaspoon of sugar, It stops them every time.
For Bee Sting Pains
Cheryl said: Take the sting out of a bee sting with a dab of toothpaste on the area. Works instantly, but keep the tube of toothpaste handy, so you can apply another dab if it starts to hurt again.
Cut Coughing
Tracey said: I have no idea why this works, but everyone I know swears by this: Whenever you have a persistent cough, rub generous amount of Vick's VapoRub on your feet, then cover with socks. The cough is gone almost immediately. This works especially well at night. I just got over pneumonia about a week ago, and this worked for my cough better than the cough medicine I was taking.
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takecareofuqxxui 03:18:29 AM Aug 29 2009
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Bikerbabekrissy 01:06:59 PM Aug 13 2009
the best remedy i found was t salt water from t beach or the clorine from t pool my son got scrapped up pretty bad and thats what worked for us
Pntbrwler02 10:14:25 AM Aug 13 2009
The ASAP silver gel by American Biotech Labs is great on burns, cuts/scrapes, bug bites, poison ivy, etc. It will even keep your hands bacteria free for 4 hours, so it's great on the kid's hands.
Haumea 7 06:21:21 PM Nov 22 2008
If you are traveling by air with an infant, they don't know enough to swallow to equalize air pressure in the ears. Instead, they cry when the aircraft takes off or lands. Give them a bottle during change of pressure. When the swallow, they will keep the pressure from building up in the ears. They are mmore comfortable and won't cry.
Haumea 7 06:13:59 PM Nov 22 2008
Several treatments that work. 1) For jellyfish stings, and also bee stings (similar toxin) make a paste with plain meat tenderizer and fresh water. Gently PAT onto affected area. If you rub a jellyfish sting, it will roll the tenticles and make it worse. Meaat tenderizer contains the enzyme, papain, from the papaya plant and it breaks apart the toxic protein in the sting. 2) For motion sickness, get a jar of candied ginger at the grocery store. Put a small piece between cheek and gum and suck on it. It's a little spicy, but it works. 3) For Diaper rash, use a hair dryer. Use low heat and fan and you can see the inflamation disappear.
Haumea 7 06:12:17 PM Nov 22 2008
Several treatments that work. 1) For jellyfish stings, and also bee stings (similar toxin) make a paste with plain meat tenderizer and fresh water. Gently PAT onto affected area. If you rub a jellyfish sting, it will roll the tenticles and make it worse. Meaat tenderizer contains the enzyme, papain, from the papaya plant and it breaks apart the toxic protein in the sting. 2) For motion sickness, get a jar of candied ginger at the grocery store. Put a small piece between cheek and gum and suck on it. It's a little spicy, but it works. 3) For diaper rash, use a hair dryer. Set it on low heat and low fan. As inflamed skin dries, you can literally watch the rash dissappear. Then use any cream to prevent new irritation. 4) If you have head congestion, use a decongentant before you fly. Lower cabin pressure makes your ears pop, but if you are congested, it can rupture your eardrums.
Ceboze 01:54:56 PM Jul 05 2008
whenever you tangle with poison ivy,oak,sumac...try this.get some orange handcleaner and wash affected areas----pain and itch stop then and there..bumps usually gone in one day.
Ladybug4251 01:53:06 PM Jul 05 2008
if u wanna get rid of a boil i suggest putting bacon on it and placing a bandaid on it...it works like a charm!
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