Home Is Where Many Remedies Are

Nothing can replace a pediatrician's care, but Dr. Mallika Marshall of WBZ-TV says not to discount those old home remedies. Some of them may actually work.

Dr. Marshall says some common household products can be used to help cure some ailments. For example, toothpaste or baking soda can be used on an insect sting or bite, and vegetable shortening can help soothe a baby's diaper rash.

But, Dr. Marshall warns, home remedies have limitations and should be used only for minor problems because nothing can replace a doctor's care.

Ear Infection

Dr. Marshall says when a child has an ear infection, you want to increase the child's blood flow to the ear, so the white blood cells that fight infections can reach the area. Dr. Marshall says using a potato and a washcloth may help.

Here's how: Microwave the potato for about five minutes and then wrap it in a wet washcloth and place it on the child's ear. (Potatoes are known for retaining heat and will stay warmer longer than just a cloth.) Make sure the potato isn't too hot because you don't want to burn your child.

Dr. Marshall says to remember there are different causes for ear infections. Most often they are caused by bacteria. So while the warm potato and washcloth may help soothe the pain, you should also contact your pediatrician who will most likely recommend an antibiotic.

Minor Burns

To treat minor burns such as sunburn, Dr. Marshall recommends using an aloe vera plant. Studies show aloe vera helps regenerate damaged tissue. For years, people have grown aloe vera as a houseplant and used it to soothe skin.

To use it, break the leaf at the bottom and rub the wet part on the affected area. The leaves can be used more than once. Simply take the cut leaf and put it in a glass of water where it can be kept for several weeks.

Minor Cuts

An onion may bring tears to the eyes, but Dr. Marshall says its skin can help stop the flow of blood on minor cuts. The first thing you want to do if your child has a cut is to clean the area with soap and water. Then you want to apply the skin of the onion (yes - the papery outside layers) to the cut. Onion skins have been found to clot blood. Once the bleeding has stopped, you'll want to apply a bandage.

Sore Throats

Dr. Marshall has two suggestions for soothing a sore throat, but these remedies are for older kids only, because they have to be able to gargle. The first treatment is salt. You add one teaspoon to an 8-ounce glass of warm water. The salt acts as antiseptic. Or you can add a teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water. Lemons have been found to have an analgesic effect.

However, Dr. Marshall warns that honey may be toxic in children under one, so avoid giving it to them at any time.

Stings And Bites

Toothpaste and baking soda are good remedies for stings and bites, says Dr. Marshall. She suggests mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with a few ounces of water and apply the paste to the affected area. If the stinger is still present, remove it with clean tweezers. You'll want to leave the paste on for about 10 minutes. The baking soda should ease the pain and swelling.

Toothpaste is another option and it should also be applied for about 10 minutes. Dr. Marshall suggests a mint-based toothpaste because the mint will cool the area around the bite.

Stomachaches

Dr. Marshall says tea and club soda may help an upset stomach. But she warns, that you need the tea to be diluted because full-strength tea may make a child feel sicker. The best types of tea to use are chamomile and peppermint which both contain antibacterials.

Club soda contains sodium bicarbonate, which relieves gas.

Diaper Rash

Dr. Marshall says vegetable shortening can help with diaper rashes. She explains that it acts as a barrier to moisture, so you should apply it rather thickly.

Skin Rash

To treat a skin rash, Dr. Marshall recommends using an oatmeal bath because it relieves inflammation. Pour a cup of uncooked oatmeal into your bathwater and soak in the tub.

Coughs

Dr. Marshall says she is a fan of humidifiers. In many cases, she says, the moist air can soothe a dry scratchy throat. But she warns that some children can be aggravated by moist air and would be better off with a dehumidifier.

Motion Sickness

Dr. Marshall says ginger is great at preventing nausea. She says you should put a pinch of ground ginger in a glass of water and drink it before going on a road trip.