First Aid Fixes that Doctors Use
Quick fixes, double-duty wonders and counter-intuitive tricks your family doctor knows—and a few things not to bother with.
By Corrie Pikul
Original Content | June 19, 2012 
Photo: Thinkstock
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This anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antiseptic triple threat can heal from your fingertips to your toenails, says Reid Blackwelder, MD, professor of family medicine at East Tennessee State University who sits on the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Use tea tree oil to treat poison ivy, minor cuts and burns (add a few drops to a dime-size dollop of aloe vera) and stinky shoes (mix with water in a spray bottle and regularly spritz offending areas). It's also surprisingly effective on nail fungi, which are infamously stubborn and usually require expensive prescription treatments. Dab it on directly or, if you have sensitive skin, dilute with water. Caution: Essential oils are recommended only for topical use and can be toxic and cause severe side effects if ingested. |
