The People's Pharmacy

Soaps versus gels for hand-washing

Q: My husband refuses to wash his hands after using the bathroom or before eating. Instead, he uses a squirt of hand-sanitizer gel. Your reaction?

A: Researchers at the University of North Carolina did a scientific comparison of various soaps and gels for hand-washing. The subjects' hands were deliberately contaminated with a mix of (harmless) bacteria and viruses and washed for 10 seconds. They were then tested for remaining germs.

The scientists found that the best approach is simple soap and water. Even rinsing in plain water can be effective.

Your husband should save his alcohol gel for situations when he doesn't have water available.

Laxative helps loosen earwax

Q: I was astonished to hear on the radio that a laxative can be used to remove earwax. Do you have any details?

A: Consumer Reports on Health (March 2005) reports that a few drops of liquid docusate sodium (Colace, Diocto, Docu) in the ear can help loosen earwax as well as or better than standard products. Leave the laxative in the ear for five or 10 minutes and then rinse gently with tepid water from a soft-bulb ear syringe. People who have perforated an eardrum shouldn't try this remedy.

Licorice warning

Q: I have glaucoma, diagnosed about 35 years ago. I loved black licorice, but it raised my eye pressure nearly off the charts.

A pharmacist friend was curious to see what caused it to rise so rapidly when it had been under control. He discovered that it was due to the licorice.

A: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used medicinally for coughs, digestive problems and inflammation. It's also used to flavor candy and chewing tobacco.

But licorice has some potentially serious side effects, including fluid retention, potassium depletion and high blood pressure.

Weaning off nasal spray

Q: I've been using Afrin nasal spray because of a cold. Now I can't breathe through my nose when the Afrin wears off. Is there something I can do to begin breathing naturally?

A: Long-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can lead to rebound congestion when they are stopped. To get around this, try discontinuing use of the spray in just one nostril at a time. You can also dilute the Afrin progressively with saline nasal spray.

Can you abuse Flonase?

Q: I've been reading about athletes taking steroids. My doctor prescribes Flonase for my allergies. This is an inhaled steroid. What's the difference?

A: Some athletes have been abusing anabolic steroids. These are male hormones related to testosterone.

Corticosteroids, like Flonase or prednisone, are related to cortisone, a natural anti-inflammatory compound. They are used to treat conditions such as asthma, allergy or arthritis. The benefits and risks of corticosteroids are different from those of anabolic steroids.

Allergic reaction to Alleve

Q: I had a terrible experience with naproxen (Aleve). I am healthy but have a touch of arthritis in the knee. I bought Aleve and read the label. It said not to take it if you've had allergic reactions to any other pain reliever or if you take more than three alcohol drinks daily.

I am not allergic to anything and do not drink alcohol. But just one pill made me itch and break out in hives. My lips and face swelled and turned bright red, and I was too dizzy to stand.

A: Allergic reactions like yours have been reported with Aleve and other pain relievers but are uncommon. You'll need to avoid other drugs in this class, like aspirin and ibuprofen. Alert your doctor to this situation, since some prescription arthritis-pain medicines may also cause reactions.

Does wearing hats cause baldness?

Q: When I was a boy, Mother said we shouldn't wear our hats in the house (and never at the table) because this would make us bald.

Now I look around any restaurant and see men and women wearing baseball caps at the table. Will this cause baldness?

A: Perhaps your mother had manners in mind. We don't know of any studies showing that wearing hats increases the risk of baldness. People self-conscious about thinning hair might be more likely to wear hats, though.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them c/o King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019, or e-mail them at pharmacy@mindspring.com or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org