Keeping it Together: Yikes, I believed this medical myth too. Did you?
If you're like me, you've heard putting hydrogen peroxide on wounds is the best way to make sure they're clean. Feel it sting and see it foam? That means it's working, I recall being told growing up.
And that's what many people are taught, our medical columnist Dr. Michael Daignault explains in his latest column.
He says the widespread belief by patients that copious amounts of hydrogen peroxide should be used to clean cuts and scrapes of any size is "one of the more dangerous medical myths I frequently see in the ER."
Here's more of what he has to say about tending to your cuts with this go-to treatment:
Multiple cells are immediately involved in the wound protection and healing process. Hydrogen peroxide unfortunately does not discriminate between bacteria cells and our own cells. While you may think you are thoroughly cleaning your wound, you are causing corrosive tissue damage, significantly impairing the healing process, and irreversibly worsen the scarring process.
If you experience severe pain or burning sensation, contaminated skin should be immediately rinsed with copious amounts of water. And you’ll need to head to the ER as these skin lesions will need additional treatment as a thermal burn.
The bottom line is that hydrogen peroxide and other caustic first aid antiseptics like rubbing alcohol should not be used to clean fresh open wounds. I advise patients to simply irrigate the wound with water from a trusted source. Then, apply a small amount of triple-antibiotic cream and cover with a clean dressing for smaller cuts and scrapes. Seek medical attention for larger wounds that require further evaluation and primary wound closure with sutures.
To read more, click here.
Face tattoos and our changing perception of an ancient tradition
In today's society, face tattoos have traditionally carried a negative stereotype, and research has shown those with visible tattoos on their bodies are more likely to be viewed as unprofessional, unintelligent, less sociable and more sexually promiscuous.
But this stigma ignores the cultural significance and deeper history face tattoos have for certain groups, especially Indigenous peoples, reports my colleague Jenna Ryu.
Growing up, Stephanie Big Eagle knew very little about her heritage, even though she was aware her father was Lakota and Dakota Sioux and her mother was Irish, Norse and Mohawk.
But after reconnecting with her roots at a Sioux reservation in 2016, she felt inspired to honor her ancestors with her first face tattoo — a centuries-old tradition to visually mark one's Indigenous or Native American background.
Big Eagle, who has since become a handpoke tattoo artist, is proud of her facial markings on her forehead and chin, but she has received dirty looks, prolonged stares and hateful comments on social media.
"They'd say things like I ruined my face, nice beard, or that I'm stupid," Big Eagle recalls. Sometimes she would respond by sharing more about her traditions. Other times, she would delete those comments and block those responsible.
Along the way, she learned to "come to terms with the fact that I'll always be targeted by those who will not and cannot understand our traditions" — and she's not alone.
To read Jenna's full story about destigmatizing face tattoos, click here.
Would you try banana peel skincare?
You've heard of chemical peels for your skin, but what about banana peels?
TikTok user @dr.mamina, dermatologist Mamina Turegano, has gained a fanbase of 862,500 followers in part thanks to her mother Michiko's viral skincare regime, which includes treating her skin with banana peels.
In the video, which has garnered more than 758,000 views, Michiko is seen rubbing a banana peel on her face, neck, arms and hands.
Can that part of the banana you usually throw away be a beneficial part of your skincare routine? I asked other dermatologists to weigh in.
"There is no science that rubbing banana peels on your skin can benefit your skin," says Dr. Samer Jaber, a dermatologist at Washington Square Dermatology in New York. "That being said, bananas contain antioxidants and rubbing bananas are unlikely to cause any harm to your skin."
Dr. Caroline Robinson, dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology, said she was struck by the viral account's blend of traditional skincare practices with modern skincare from the dermatologist daughter. Robinson noted there are likely no studies surrounding the use of banana peels as a skin treatment.
"It's important to remember that many of our current skincare practices were born out of traditions that were ultimately tested under the scientific method. What we as dermatologist educate our patients about are the ingredients and techniques that have withstood that rigorous test but that does not mean that there is not a place in each person's individual skincare routine for traditions."
To read the full story, click here.
Today's reads
- Asian American writer who suffered 'horrors' of chronic child abuse reveals healing in new book on complex PTSD
- In the dating world, rejection is normal. Here is how to deal with it.
- What people with Down syndrome (and their families) wish you knew
Today's pet
Meet Shadow.
"Shadow is an 8-year-old Schnoodle. He's a mix between a Giant Schnauzer and a Standard Poodle," writes Steven Scott. "He has stenosis in his lower back, but as you can see, he has compensated for it nicely and loves the 2-inches of snow we got in Louisville, Kentucky."
Thanks to everyone for reading! Remember you can send pet photos, coping tips and anything else to our email.
Wishing you all the best,
Sara Moniuszko