Your sinus infection may not require a trip to the doctor.
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know how miserable they can make you. A “regular” headache pales in comparison. Not only is a sinus infection headache more intense, but it’s usually centered in a specific location near your eyes and there’s not a whole lot that will relieve it.
Try leaning your head down and you’ll really get a wave of pain that makes you pick up the phone to call the doctor. But before you do, there may be a few natural things that you can try to take care of it. You can always go to the doctor and get your antibiotics and nasal spray later if these don’t work.
As you probably know, apple cider vinegar is a natural cure-all. Not surprisingly, sinus infections are on its target list. A PersonalLiberty.com article suggests taking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar three times a day. If the taste doesn’t agree with you, you can mix that one tablespoon with one-half tablespoon of honey and four ounces of water. Another option is mixing apple cider vinegar with water (half and half) and inhaling it as steam. Keep your eyes and mouth closed while doing that.
A nasal saline rinse can be made from one-quarter teaspoon of sea salt or pickling salt, a pinch of baking soda, a capful of food-grade hydrogen peroxide, and a cup of warm water. You can use a bulb to apply the rinse. As preventatives, both Vitamin C and Vitamin D are highly recommended.
Have you ever tried any of these methods to cure a sinus infection? Have they worked for you? What about any other natural remedies you’ve tried for sinus infections or other problems? I’d love to hear about them.
As I write I have a severe sinus infection. I read on the Internet that the Russians actually snort liquid iodine when they are sick. Also, the Germans put 7% iodine in their coffee or tea ( 10 drops), as a cure-all.
I have drunk iodine in my coffee when I’m with cold and it does cut it in half. I just don’t have the guts to snort it!! Nastrovia
Although I use apple cider vinegar and have since I was young (my father knew Mr. Bragg long ago in Oakland, Ca.), there are some problems that can occur which I have only just discovered. I was having chronic hoarseness and attributed it to the dust from a long remodeling project in my home. Though the dust was probably partially to blame, I learned that by not diluting the ACV enough, I was further irritating my throat to the point of having no voice at all at the end of the day. ACV can also cause havoc in the digestive area if not well diluted. If you use it only from time to time, there are no repercussions, however if you decide to make it part of your daily regimen, you should watch out for this possible adverse side effects.
Some of the foregoing comments sound a little scaee. I will always be grateful for the simple recipe my doctor in AZ gave me. He uses 1 part peroxide to 4 parts distilled water.
Due to an accident at age 7 (I’m now 81), I am unable to hang my head over the side of the bed as recommended, so have had to get creative with a pillow roll. This allows me to tilt my head back but still rest the top of my head on the bed. The process is still akward and painful but it does the trick.
It is necessary to PAY ATTENTION! The first sign I have is a sharp little pain way up behind my sinuses. That’s the infection draining out. If I catch it fast enough with the simple rinse, I can avoid a full-blown infection.
That is excruciatingly painful – It feels like the front of my face will blow off and my upper molars pop out. At that point, I have to resort to the 5-day antibiotic treatment.
There’s a lot of good info above! Will try the suggestions I haven’t tried yet. Another suggestion: Taking alfalfa tablets. These help your sinuses to drain much like Mucinex does only they’re a little milder. You can find them at health food stores, vitamin shops and at discount vitamin/health food websites. I take 6-8 tablets per day. Of course their mg content differs by brand. They’re a green food source so they’re good for you too! And not that expensive.
Coconut oil is also a great natural antinflammatory, antibiotic, mouth wash, moisturizer, etc. I take capsules daily and use topically for moisurizing and stopping itch of rash or bug bites.
NeilMed sinus wash + a few drops of baby shampoo.
This solution is seriously cheap and easy. I’ve had sinus problems at least 7 sinus surgeries and constant sinus/bronchial infections for the last 20 years. Finally, I’ve found something that brings some real relief! My doctor and NeilMed recommended it too. Somehow the baby shampoo plays a role in helping to break down the “biofilm”. I had NEVER heard of biofilm before; and I highly recommend sinus suffers Google “biofilm & baby shampoo.” Biofilm can be at the root of reoccurring sinus problems and where the bad yucky stuff hides–fungus, bacteria, yuck. Antibiotic don’t help remove biofilm. Break down the biofilm and the yuck lacks a place to hide.
I use Xlear It works well.
Dice up an apple in a small pot, add enough water to just cover it, bring to easy boil, then down to a slow simmer. Inhale the steam through the nose for awhile, take a break, and return to continue. It’s incredible!!
I use Dr Grossan;s hyromed with non-ixodine saline water and it is the only thing that works for me.
Ive been using hot salt water for years to flush my sinuses a couple times a day. Usually works great. I also use colloidal silver to flush my sinuses. Both work well for me. I also have my chiropractor adjust my sinus areas along my cheek bones and above my eyes. This also works well to relieve the pressure.
Just finished another bottle of Sovereign Silver Bio-active Silver Hydrosol Immune Support 10 ppm 2 teaspoon morning and night. According to EPA (CASRN 7440-22-4) daily Oral Silver Reference Dose (RfD) applied to 10 ppm, one may ingest 178,850 servings safely over 70 years. 99.999% pure no added salts or proteins, just silver and pure water.
— My gradmother used it on us 4 grandkids, we’re all still here. I do forget to take it sometimes and nose will run a little so I go take it nose stops running. Have not had a cold in very long time (69 now), stay active with lots of firewood ( stacks 12 x 6 x 30 and 10 x 6 x 60 gone) new 10 x 6 x 12 and garden 30 — 100 ft rows. Most of those reason listed are looking at no money being made by drug companies, wonder who gets the money drug companies pay FDA each year “” I would not be without it.
my friend uses this on her 4 kids for years now , inside and outside, for everything kids get or do if it hurts
I HAVE HAD SUCCES WITH A NETTY POT USINGEA SALT. OUR IN EACH NOSTRAL TO DRAIN WHICH MOVES SOME FLEM INTO THE THROAT AFTER BLOWING NOSE THEN USE MOUTH WASH TO GARGGLE REMOVINMG FLIM, BLOW NOSE AGAIN AFTER BLOWING NOSE SEVERALGARGALS. RINSE MOUTH. HAVE NOT HAD AN ELLNESS FOR 15 YEARS NOR ONE TO A DISTEST IN 14 YRS. KEEP TOOTH BRUSH IN BUD VASE OF VINEGAR, BRUSH TEETH WITH EQUAL PARTS OF SEA SALT AND BAKING SODA, THEN TOOTH PASTE OF CHOICE. MY PROBLEM IS MY EYES. CATARACKS DUE TO BE REMOVES. HOW DOES NOT KEEP THE PESKY THINGS AWAY SO ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO SEE EYE DOCTOR????
Bettyray try these drops for eyes
5 parts distilled water
2 parts raw honey
1 part organic apple cider vinegar
Mix it together and put 1 drop in each eye several times a day. It may sting a little. According to Modern Essentials they have been used for Glaucoma, cataracts, spots, film, and growths of all kinds. It is a special formula from Stanley Burroughs book, Healing for the Age of Enlightenment. God Bless.
I have a neighbor. When he gets a chest cold and can’t get rid of. He makes a hot cup of tea and no joke mixes a tablespoon of Vicks vapor rub in the tea . Then drinks it. It says on the bottle external use only. He hasn’t died yet. He has done it long as he can remember. He is about 80 years old now and still gets around pretty good. I know I have never thought about trying it. It gets rid of his chest cold though. Maybe he’s on to something!!
Since I don’t do well with a netty pot, my Doctor suggested breathing the steam. I have a steamer that works well. Of course he said be sure to add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the water to prevent sinus infection as there are pollutants in our water. I use it frequently to keep those sinus headaches away.
thank you to all of you that responded, very informational
I enjoy reading all the different ways to difficult health issues that are common in todays society. But the reason for most sinus and cold infections are from the chem trails that the government is spreading over head. Some time just look up and see if there is a very long white trail behind a jet or a small vapor trail. if there is a long one an stays long after the plane goes by those or chemical trail our government is spreading over head. If you have any doughts look up chem trails vs vapor trails. you will be sick to your stomach after reading all about it.
Kim Beery – Some of are noticing what is happening in the sky because it is affecting our health. Yes, some people thought I was crazy until I proved it to them by our own state website and 100’s of pictures I’ve taken.
I am adding the link here http://mosquitocontrolofiowa.net/mci/Aerial.html for those in doubt. We are being sprayed with pesticide under the guise of killing pests. I think someone believes we are the pests. Keep looking up people. It won’t change until we the people be the change.
You can use Silver Hydrosol also. 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) in the nasal rinse should do the job or you can put the hydrosol in the nebulizer with a little water or without.
I would recommend you use distilled water If you use it. That cup of warm water should be boiled and cooled before use especially if you use tap water.
You can use the food grade hydrogen peroxide diluted to 3% in the nebulizer. That will put some oxygen into the bloodstream also.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide is 35% strength as purchased. Dilute 11 to 1 with distilled water to get 3% (the same strength as the drug store hydrogen peroxide that has the stabilizers in it) Do NOT use drug store H2O2 in the nebulizer and I would not recommend it in the nasal rince.
I’ve never had a sinus infection I must be living write
Colloidal Silver at 15 ppm. Have had tow sinus infections in the last 5 years. Spraying C.S. up each nostril while breathing in deeply. 3 x a day. Infections completely gone in 3 days. Marty
I have used a netti pot with sea salt and Aloe vera for years and if used at least a couple of times a week it will prevent most infections. But I get to busy sometimes and forget. Then when one comes I use it twice a day and take plenty of garlic and vit C and Zinc. If really bad I drop in a couple of drops of Tea Tree oil or use it in a steamer. Aloe rubbed on the face will bring it down in a couple of days as well. I use them all and don’t see the doctor just for colds and infections. Zinc, Garlic and Vit C are all fine infection fighters. Don’t have the money to go to the doctor’s and get more sickness.
I can’t use chemicals, allergic to most, bleach kills me so does ammonia. So I use shaklee organic cleaner Basic-H to do my killing and it does a wonderful job. And, their germicide is better than bleach or any chemicals. Have to go really natural for me.
i have used lemon to treat minor to medium chainsaw cuts. no infection. beware- it is intense!
Living on the Gulf Coast,I was brought up using a little sea salt in a dropper. A couple of drops, “ALL GONE”.
Apple cider vinegar is good for more than a sinus infection!! As a child in the midwest I was brought up with cider vinegar as a salad dressing along with a little olive oil and herbs. If we didn’t have a salad for the meal, there was a shot of vinegar at your plate. I have never had a sinus infection in all my 76 years, probably for that reason. My doctor chokes every time I get the yearly physical when he asks me what pills I take. NONE is my answer and after review of my blood test, weight and other vitals he declares me good for another 10,000 miles with the admination to “just keep doing what you’re doing.”!
Printing from your computer screen: Hi-light the words you want to save, by left click of the mouse, right click what is high-lighted, copy, go to your word processor and paste.[you may have to use “CTRL C” and “CTRL V” on some occasions, also piece copy if the high-light includes extraneous material. This does not work on, at present, words posted as a photograph.
Sinus Problems: Drink liquids, best is water, to keep your body hydrated; feel the sensations in your nose LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES SIGNALS dryness just inside the two openings should be the first signal to return moisture there, so the filter system continues to work; blow your nose and remove the accumulation. Dust in the air is the worst place to be because we are focused on other factors than health.
it helps but there is a realy good one it sounds strange i put a little bacitracin zinc in the opening of nose then just breath threw nose works great i do it before bed time i do it a few times a week works wounders god bless
Make a habit when washing up (espiecially if you have been doing yard work) to rinse/wash the inside of your nose. You will be surprised at the plan old dirt that it removes. This has prevented me from getting (my) anual sinus infectiion for years.
I used to have sinus problems all the time until I started taking apple cider vinegar every day without fail, for other reasons. Not only did it cure what I was taking it for, it also stopped my sinus problems altogether. I take apple cider vinegar with honey and water. In the summertime if you chill it, it’s very refreshing. In the wintertime I just take it at room temp.
Enjoyed your comments and remedies. I have done many of them but the one that seemed to help me a lot was to take a probiotic capsule and put it’s insides on a tray and use a straw to snort some into my nose.
It helped. I agree, sinus infections are fungal. i never knew I had one until I left CA for GA – now I have problems all the time. I will try some other remedies mentioned here. Thanks
If you feel sure you have a sinus infection use 3 drops of iodine & 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt in 1 quart of hot water. Preferably stand in a hot shower & snort the liquid [I just pour it in my hand & stick my nose in & suck hard] – when the solution hits your throat, blow your nose vigorously to force it into your sinuses. This should be done only 1X per day for 3 days. I have mega allergies so have lots of problems with sinuses but daily douches of mild salt water keeps most infections at bay.
According to much empirical data, most sinus infections are because of fungus. Antibiotics (bad stuff except when near death. means anti-life) or pharma antivirus junk will not have any effect. You can easily kill the fungi with xylitol sugar. Make sure it’s from the Birch tree or you may wind up with fake Chinese junk. Xylitol kills oral bacteria that cause cavities. It has also been shown to heal cavities.
Hi Frank,I have been using. A herbal blend everyday for 20 years and I have never had to resort to prescription drugs for anything, and I might add I got bladder cancer from smoking cigars and I cured it by using ionic silver. Thank you ,Duane m Kuefler ,Alberta Canada. H
Years ago I had an extremely bad sinus infection. My doctor prescribed antibiotics and deconjestants which never really helped that much. A friend told me she had a simular problem and was seeing an herbalist who gave her acidophilus which cleared up the problem. So, I went to the local health food store and purchased a bottle if acidophilus capsules. I took two 3 times that day and woke up the next morning with completely clear sinus for the first time in a month. I have found that many sinus problems are caused by yeast infections and acidophilus is the best treatment. Acidophilus is also good to treat ear infections in dogs with ears that hang down like Labs. The best thing about acidophilus is there are not side effects because it is only good bacteria (or micro-flora) that we need in our gut to keep us healthy. So give it a try, it can’t hurt.
I agree with Beth.
I take Primadophilus capsules, it has Acidophilus and Rhamnosus, Double Barrel!
Definitely works for sinuses and the gut.
Happy Happy, Joy Joy!
I have used NeilMed for a number of years. I have had sinus surgery and took lots of allergy medicine. Now I make sure to sinus rinse in the morning and maybe later but not within several hours of bed. I have not had a cold for a number of years and I was the oldest worker who did not miss work for colds or flu. Prevention works better than a cure.
Find a chiropractor that does endo-nasal technique. It’s quite amazing. They stick a small balloon (finger-cot) up your nose and gently inflate it. I’ve had it done twice and it works great. No drugs.
The basics: You want to wash out the sinus to remove the infection and rid yourself of headache. What’s the best way? Either breath a lot of steam through your nose or take a long hot steamy shower to moisten the nasal cavity. Then purge it with either a neti pot with the salt/hydrogen Peroxide/water rinse solution, OR I’m now loving the “NeilMD” nasal rinse kit. It is so easy. You should have at least some airflow through both nostrils after the shower, so you gently urge your solution up one nostril and it naturally flows out the other. You can’t even feel it. DO NOT USE PLAIN WATER, or else it hurts. The saline solution is totally painless.
The other comments talk about the right solution, but the easiest way to use is either neti pot or Neil MD. Neti pots are from India and cost about $5.00 on Ebay. NeilMD is about $12.00 at your local Walgreen’s or drugstore and comes with premeasured solution packets to mix with lukewarm water.
I used to get sick after every plane flight, as the high pressure in the cabin jams everyone else’s germs deep into your sinuses. But now, I go rinse with my NeilMD immediately after a flight, and I don’t get colds anymore.
Maybe I’m crazy, but a good sinus rinsing also makes me feel much more clear headed and I’m less tense. I’m able to concentrate better and I don’t get flustered so much either. You’ll just feel a whole lot better overall. East Indians have been practicing this technique for thousands of years, so it can’t be all bad, right? Best of luck ! ! !
I have suffered with sinus infections and irritations for most of my life. I’ve tried most of the solutions listed on this page and by far the NETI POT with the saline packs provided and “distilled water” have worked the best for me!
That said, while treating really, really bad infections I’ll add a few drops of either hydrogen peroxide or apple cider vinegar.
Thank you so much for all the information. There may come a day when we either can’t get medical care or can’t afford it. So many of the home remedies will be a blessing. I happened on the bleach idea for wounds when I found those who swim in a pool and had cuts or acne, it cleared up quickly. I also have used to kill athletes foot. Works great! It may take more than one treatment but it is awesome. Also, I have been using silver solutions and they seem to work well also. Especially for burns and orally taken for virus’s. You can buy a machine to make your own silver solutions. I wonder if just putting .999 pure silver in water will work. And how long would it have to sit in the water before it can be used. You ought to do a book on what you know. I definitely would buy it!
The silver has to be electrically treated to release some of its substance into the water. There are tutorials all over the net on how to do it. Silver used to be used in hospitals for infection and cleansing, but pharma companies deep 6’d that way back when. But it still works. Even works on plants that have bugs or blight. Just don’t take it internally every day or you’ll end up blue skinned. It doesn’t wash out of your system except in small doses and with plenty of hydration.
There is another really important thing to think about when getting what seems to be a sinus headache. I thought I was getting sinus headaches, and they mimicked that, but what it really was was that I lived in a really dense EMF field, near a cell phone tower and a power line, and when I moved, the headaches magically disappeared. Just something to consider! Look at where you live or work and make sure one of these factors might now be present, something toxic.
Here is something I just found out about printing out web pages.
On some web sites (including yours) I could not print out the comments that readers make which in this case is very informative.
So if you could include these comments in the main section of your article then your readers could print and save information that may help them to stay well.
Robert, Keeping comments separate helps me protect commenters privacy and helps me delete out spam, hate posts and manifestos. I am unwilling to give that up. Instead, I recommend that you look up how to “print screen”. You could, then, pull up any comments that you might like to keep and print them out
You can go into the comments…………click/drag and COPY….take it to Word or ?? and Paste…wahlah got it
I have used the vinegar temedy for sinus infection worked great. Its also good for tooth infections it will break the encapsulated infection down in the gum also reducing swelling which in turn eases the pain of the toothache. The.wound care nurse above who stated her options of cures is so right on the money. I would like to add one for women who develop a yeast infection u can get a plain yogurt with active cultures place a few tablespoons full in a cup warm water stir to combine it all and use it as a douche. Do this for a few days to a week and you will be free of the itch and burn that makes you want to scratch with a brillo pad and stick.
I’m on the road a lot and can’t make the salt water solution mentioned. But, every time I use the rest room I just use tab water to rinse out sinuses. This washes out a lot of the mucus and I feel better for a couple hours (until I need another break off the road). It also alleviates a pile of used tissues all over my truck.
When ever I have a sore throat, tooth ache, or anything going on in my mouth. I use a 50/50 solution of peroxide / water as a mouth wash to kill germs. It’s cheap and I’ll not uses chemicals that I can’t even pronounce.
Using tap water is dangerous. There are more germs there than in your sinuses! Always use distilled water to wash sinuses.
I have used salt & peroxide for years, a voice teacher shared this with me. & it really works for sore throats, as well as for sinuses, Thanks for all the info.
I would highly recommend utilizing essential oils, such as, Eucalytus, lavender, cinnamon bark, lemon, rosemary, clove, as well as others. Experiment with these gifts from nature and share your awareness!
I am a respiratory therapist and I would NOT use any essential oils for the sinuses. This can irritate and make an infection worse especially if there may be an allergy to them. The sterile saline solution helps thin and drain out the infection. Oils in the sinuses are a really bad idea.
I have one to add. The traditional netipot works great unless your nose passages are not clear from car wreck etc. In boiling it all down infections result from a PH out of balance .This has saved the quality of my life!!! I have been very successful with using a cotton swab and peroxide.Just simply stick cotton swab wet with peroxide up into nose as far as safely possible (without lodging it in of course ).You will immediately feel where the infection has started. Withdraw swab ..count 3 …and gently blow out the no white created by the peroxide boiling way the infected area. This allows for air to help begin the drying process of the wound. I do this 3-4 x a day for several days. I also learned that our body can more effective my fight off infection by taking a PH Balance product (I use Vaxa/ Not a plug for company its all I can get locally) and HIGH quality probiotics. Our body needs a 9-1 ratio of good to bad and the junk we eat ; if we’ve taken even 1 prescript of antibiotics; knocks this down to close to 3-1 unless we add the good back. ( Greek yogurt helps add not sugary junk). 2/3 of our immune system is supported by health of our intestinal tract. You get this healthy…..you’ll be amazed what else IMPROVES.
I use Colloidal Silver for most everything. Nothing, not even a virus can live in the presence of silver so put on and in whatever is the matter. I spray it up my nose to get to the back of my throat. I’ve sprayed it into the back of my throat while inhaling to get to my bronchials. Drop in eyes for pink eye, ears for infections. Take internally for antibiotic.
I also use a homemade solution of Zylitol. Like 1/2 tsp Zylitol and 1/4 tsp sea salt dissolved in 1/2 c warm water. Use as a sinus, nasal, spray to clear sinus, even when you feel they are blocked. The zylitol kills germs as well as coat the nasal cavity where the germs can’t stick. It causes everything to slide out.
Kathy, Just wanted to let you know I use colloidal silver and even made a ionizing unit to make my own. There are very simple ways to make it as well, but one must have very pure silver 99.999%, to make it.
Ed, how did you made your ionizing unit?
I meant to say…thank yo so much!
Where can I obtain Zlitol?
What this nurse tells you is true and it all works. Another thing that works for toenail fungus is a soak with one cup Epsom salts and one half cup hydrogen peroxide in a bath basin about half full of warm water. Soak 1/2 hour twice a day…add 1/4 cup bleach! For herpes, shingles, and Hepatitis, AFRICAN CAT’S CLAW! Take it internally, and make a poultice if you need relief…for canker sores…a virus…use it’s natural enemy..the common bacteria in a live culture yogurt…plain yogurt as the ones w fruit will hurt..apply the yogurt to the sore for immediate relief and super quick healing! We used to use Dakin’s solution when wounds got infected in open heart surgery …nothing else worked but this..it was slightly buffered but kept the wound clean as a whistle and promoted fast healing to boot.
Hey, I’m an R.N. specializing in wound care, preventative medicine and survival health care. I’ve been teaching my secrets to small groups for several years. I have more answers than questions, so… A quick and easy saline rinse for your nose or eyes is to go into your favorite cheap store, grab their store brand saline for contacts. TA DA! Cheap easy and generally affordable.
If you do try to make it or you want to make a salt throat (for sore throat, mouth sores) gargle you can use table salt, ok? Don’t buy NON iodized tablesalt. Unless you consume iodized salt regularly your thyroid is gonna go way south! We must have some iodine in our system for metabolism. If you eat seafood daily (which is becoming dangerous) you might be getting the iodine from your seafood. Fish being caught in the Pacific ocean are becoming more poluted with radioactivity from the melt down in Japan. Besides why do you think they put iodine in our salt anyway?
Bleach Bleach who’s got the bleach you can depend on chemically every time? Brand name Clorox actually. Some of the bleach knock offs aren’t so perfect when it comes to ingredients. BTW when I got my flu shot a couple weeks ago the lady used a little pledget with bleach in it instead of one with alcohol in it. Yeee Haaa! finally!!! In the lab it takes maybe ten minutes or more to kill regular germs with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Don’t bother with the 90% alcohol…some of the nasty germs will “encapsulate” themselves when they encounter alcohol stronger than 70% Alcohol will NOT enhance healing and it stings! Youch!!! For the last 25 years I’ve been using bleach solutions for patients’ wound care. It is called Dakins solution. You can make it at home. It does NOT STING and it enhances healing. It will accellerate the formation of pink granulated tissue thank God! Back in WW I the boys over there were dying left, right and center from simple wounds that were becoming infected. Dr. Dakins, a chemist saved a bazillion lives with his production of solution. It had a bit more than just bleach and water BUT bleach and water still does fine. Back before everyone made their chlorine bleach more concentrated, the formula (do it yourself) was one part bleach and ten parts water or saline. Now when I make it, I guess at the strength by using one part bleach to 13 to 15 parts water. I’ve written to clorox asking for the difference in their bleach strength. Yeah they haven’t quite gotten back to me yet. When/if they do I’ll simplify it and let you know. Until then try out the formula as above. Besides killing regular germs (even MRSA and strep, staph etc.) it will kill e.coli and all the other ones (I’m not going to waste your time by listing every germ in the book). Dakins and variations of Dakins will also whack all manner of fungi. Athletes foot, ring worm and even that summertime OMG It Itches Stuff you may get under your breasts, in your privates area and sweat rash. I’ve even used it on baby’s bottom when the greenhouse under the plastic disposible diapers have helped make babies diaper area red and stinging and smelling “funny”. If you are nervous over it, make the solution a little more dilute, add just a tiny bit more water to the bleach formula. If you can find and use regular birdseye cotton diapers you will avoid so many problems you can’t even imagine. That lecture for another day unless someone wants to know today.
Another thing all of you need to know is we share the planet with all manner of BUGS. The ones that bite us and hurt us are mostly ants and spiders and mosquitos. They don’t have teeth. When they bite they “salivate, spit” an acidic enzyme into our meat to break it down so they can just suck down our liquified skin parts. In BioChemistry we got to do all kinds of neat lab things. One you kids can do (outside or in the bathtub) is to add vinegar to a jar half full of bicarbonate of soda water. (You know, its in the fridge sucking up funny smells.) The chemical reaction that you see is an acid neutralizing a base. It always looks impressive! If you squish an ant and smell your finger you’ll smell formic acid. That yellow weird pimple that you can get after being bitten by an ant is the liquifaction of digested skin cells. Spider bites do similar damage but worse. After being bitten by a bug, whether it is an ant, a brown recluse spider or even a black widow spider you do the same FIRST AID asap. Carry the magic stuff with you when you know your chances of being bit are good. The stuff that neutralizes an acid is a BASE. The basic bases in our homes are bicarbonate of soda added to water (it isn’t real strong tho) ammonia (usually under the kitchen sink) and dishwashing liquid that brags about “cutting through grease!” I’ve used ammonia mostly for my bites. It is quick. I just rub the ammonia into the spot where I’ve been bitten. Wait a few minutes and maybe rinse the area off but I usually just let it go. Do you remember using wet soda on bee stings? That is why it worked. I did mention mosquitos. They make such tiny holes in our skin it is difficult getting the ammonia to go in and to do it’s stuff. Because I am allergic to the tiny black mosquitos I’m often in a panic and grab the ammonia bottle sloshing the stuff into a rag and scrubbing at the tiny holes the mosquitos left. The quicker you work, the better the chance things will be neutralized and you can forget about the itch. Or in the case of the brown recluse (which tunnels mercilessly through your meat) use the base. Just do it. Spiders are everywhere and the brown recluse is the best at biting and hiding. Most folks never see the brown recluse, but have ended up in the ER or doctors office with a growing tunnel. Most docs don’t know how to stop the damage. They will hand you a prescription for antibiotics and tell you if the damage is too bad that you can get a little plastic surgery later on. I know this first hand. That is enough for now. Take care and stock up on your “cleaning” supplies.
WOW!! What a smart lady! I never heard of half this stuff. Thank you so much for this very valuable information. We need more natural solutions that are just plain simple to make and understand. I believe in the homemade remedies. And you’re right…our granny recipes for treating what ails us were often the best. And still are.
I’m on the road a lot and can’t make the salt water solution mentioned. But, every time I use the rest room I just use tab water to rinse out sinuses. This washes out a lot of the mucus and I feel better for a couple hours (until I need another break off the road). It also alleviates a pile of used tissues all over my truck.
Pamela, wow thanks. ok so, for the bleach solution its 1:12 parts. and thats used for killing germs? so if I cut myself I can squirt some of this on the cut instead of peroxide?
now the big one. mosiqutoes. (my nemisis.) what is the solution for that exactly? ammonia and dishwashing liquid, or is it just straight ammonia, or ammonia and baking soda?