Question for DU medics

[malaise]

Someone told me they heard that if you rub the edge of your nostrils with Vaseline, germs would stick and not enter the nasal cavity. I laughed.

[unblock]

1. That's an emt trick to cope with foul smells

It works for odors like vomitus.

But yeah, laughably useless against germs.

[denbot]

3. I heard it was Vick's Vapor Rub.

It was an old rescue/cop thing, dealing with corpse recovery.

[unblock]

4. That works better for some people, worse for others

I usually have a lousy sense of smell, probably due to allergies. Vick's can clear that right up, and I actually smell things better than without it....

[denbot]

30. Yikes

That would suck.

[hunter]

16. Mentholatum.

Don't ever ask me how I know. I won't tell you.

But it doesn't work for long. Pretty soon you start having a Pavlovian reaction to the smell of Mentholatum as well.

[denbot]

31. And double yikes..

Hmmm.. I guess I’ll just wonder about a question never asked..

[Haggis for Breakfast]

28. I think you mean Vic's VapoRub.

But you need to re-apply and it can irritate your mucus membranes.

I used to know a medical examiner - a forensic pathologist - he used something different, based on essential oils. He had to import it.

[unblock]

29. see post #4

[denbot]

32. My bad, it's has been years, if not decades since I've that blue jar in my house..

My parents always had it in the medicine cabinet. I know I’ve used it as an adult, but I would doubt my kids would recognize that product.

[denbot]

33. My great uncle was a Los Angeles fireman.

They would roll on calls concerning a body long past any possibility of rescue..

[dewsgirl]

2. Not a medic, I heard this as well.

[safeinOhio]

5. I'm doing a couple of Nettie pots

a day. Can’t hurt and washes out the sinuses.

[malaise]

6. What's that?

Thanks all

[OhioChick]

8. Neti Pot

Example: (I have no affiliation with this seller)

https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-NasaFlo-Unbreakable-Premixed-Packets/dp/B000ITHH86/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=nettie+pot&qid=1584840475&sr=8-9

Basically irrigates the sinuses when congested.

~~~Not a medic here.

[mcar]

9. Netti Pots are great

I need to dig mine out.

[OhioChick]

10. I've never used one but have been told they do really help

with sinus infections, allergies and congestion.

[mcar]

12. That's when I use mine

It's a really weird feeling but helps to clear out and loosen mucus. I have seasonal allergies but don't always get that kind of congestion. Still, I've read it helps to flush out the allergens that hit elsewhere (like my eyes right now).

[safeinOhio]

25. I use it for sinus headaches.

I get em when the weather changes and don’t have to take any pills.

[LisaL]

11. Do not use tap water!

I stopped using it after reading of some people dying from contacting Naegleria fowleri.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe

[mcar]

13. Wow!

Never heard of that. Thanks for the warning.

[LisaL]

15. This article explains what you can use.

"What Types of Water Are Safe to Use?
Distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in stores. The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.”
Boiled and cooled tap water — boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours.
Water passed through a filter designed to trap potentially infectious organisms. CDC has information on selecting these filters."

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe

[OhioChick]

14. Distilled or sterile water only is what I've been told n/t

[LisaL]

17. And if you use tap water, you have to boil it for 3 to 5 minutes first, then let it cool down.

[OhioChick]

23. Good advice, Lisa n/t

[safeinOhio]

19. Thanks

I’ve used it for years.

[we can do it]

7. It's Vick's and it works for awful smells.

Never heard about germs sticking.

[malaise]

21. My big sis was a radiographer

She turned us off of Vicks after telling us the story of a six year old who died -her grandmother rubbed her down with Vicks every night.

[we can do it]

26. Yikes

[safeinOhio]

22. Or Tiger Balm

The Far East Vicks.

[malaise]

27. Tiger Balm is very popular in JA

Indeed my siblings insist I carry some when I head to the US

[Alex4Martinez]

18. Be careful before using Vicks Vaporub in yer nostrils!

I don't know about Vaseline, but have read that some have reactions to Vicks, though I kind of like it!

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090113/vicks-vaporub-misuse-may-hurt-kids#1

[Deb]

20. Not a medic and anecdotal but for 20+yrs I worked with children

ages 2-4. Starting in September I lightly coated the inside of my nose with Neosporin before work. Got sneezed and coughed on 2" from my face. There were days my clothes were green booger magnets but rarely ever did I get sick. It also helps form a habit of keeping your hands away from your face.

[malaise]

24. Interesting

Thanks - we always have Neosporin around