The People's Pharmacy

Q: I'm a fourth-grader working on a science project about applying vitamin E (topically) to scars. Is there any research proving that it heals scars faster if applied daily?

A: The idea that applying vitamin E oil to scars can make them heal faster has been circulating for decades. The little research that has been done does not support this claim, though.

In one study, patients were followed carefully after skin-cancer surgery (Dermatologic Surgery, April 1999). A moisturizing ointment (Aquaphor) containing vitamin E was applied to part of the scar, while plain Aquaphor was applied to the other part. The scars treated with vitamin E did not heal faster.

Q: In an article on your Web site, you suggest Bag Balm for dry red hands. Would this work on rough dry heels as well? Would it stain the sheets if used at bedtime?

A: Bag Balm was originally developed to protect cows' udders from chapping. It contains an antiseptic in a lanolin and petroleum-jelly base. While Bag Balm might help rough dry feet, it is likely to stain sheets unless you wear socks to bed.

Q: What can you suggest for chronic chapped lips? Castor oil works great, but it tastes terrible.

A: Perhaps the reason castor oil works for you is that it discourages lip licking. This habit can contribute to chronic chapped lips.

Try a product containing lanolin, beeswax or coconut oil to moisturize the lips and discourage licking. Some products to consider include Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm, Desert Essence Lip Rescue, Lip Trip or Un-Petroleum Lip Balm.

Q: My husband is a walking drugstore. He suffers from depression and migraine headaches and takes Neurontin, Zoloft, Zyprexa, diazepam, Prilosec and Fiorinal. Since he retired, his memory is getting worse, and he sometimes seems almost like a zombie. I worry that his pills are hurting more than helping.

A: Combining a sedative like diazepam (Valium) with an anti-psychotic such as Zyprexa, a barbiturate found in Fiorinal and an anti-convulsant (Neurontin) could make almost anyone forgetful and spacey. Such a combination also could increase his risk of a fall. Please ask his doctor to review your husband's medications.

Q: My cardiologist tells me I must take aspirin for the rest of my life to prevent a heart attack or stroke. He said to avoid ibuprofen and naproxen for pain relief. Why?

A: Pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen may interfere with the anti-clotting action of aspirin (New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 1, 2005).

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 via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com