The People's Pharmacy

Q: I am a 16-year-old girl who has a problem with excessive sweating in the armpit area. This has been going on since I was 12. I've used a variety of deodorants and antiperspirants.

Certain Dri worked for a while, but my mom prefers natural approaches. I've heard that zinc tablets might help.

A: The most effective antiperspirant is aluminum chloride, the ingredient in Certain Dri. This compound is also available by prescription, under the name Drysol.

Such antiperspirants work best if applied to dry skin at bedtime. After several weeks, it might be needed only occasionally.

Zinc is reputed to reduce objectionable odor associated with smelly feet. We have never heard that zinc would stop underarm perspiration.

Q: I have been on acid-blocking drugs for years to treat heartburn. Initially, I was on Prilosec, then Prevacid and now Nexium.

I recently saw a naturopathic physician who said that stomach acid is necessary for proper digestion and good health. He said I will be more vulnerable to infections if I keep shutting down my stomach acid and recommended 2 tablespoons of apple-cider vinegar in a glass of water instead. This seems totally illogical to me.

A: Vinegar seems like an odd remedy for heartburn, but this isn't the first time we have heard that it might work. Another reader reported that his doctor actually recommended a tablespoon or two of vinegar in water for heartburn relief. He tried it, and the discomfort went away.

Studies have suggested that constantly suppressing stomach acid may increase the risk of pneumonia or severe infectious diarrhea (Journal of the American Medical Association, Oct. 27, 2004, and Dec. 21, 2005). Acid in the stomach kills bacteria, and without it, they may survive and cause mischief. Nonetheless, some people require such medication to avoid scarring the esophagus.

Q: I heard that locally produced honey could help allergies.

A: Although we, too, have heard of this remedy, a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (February 2002) suggests it is ineffective.

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