Jerusalem Post
ByWALLA! HEALTH
A method many people use in winter may end with a burn – and you should also check the hot water bottle you take to bed.
Many of us tend to turn to “grandma’s remedies” when we start to feel a cold coming on: Hot tea, chicken soup, and also inhaling hot steam. But experts warn that one of the most common home treatments may actually end in serious damage.
The risk does not end with momentary pain. Burns from boiling steam tend to injure the thighs, lower abdomen and even intimate areas. This sometimes happens when sitting too close to the bowl, when the steam causes dizziness, or simply due to careless movement.
Alongside the obvious danger, it turns out that the health benefit attributed to steam inhalation has not been proven at all. Medical reviews determine that there is no clear evidence that the method eases colds, opens the nose, or slows viral reproduction. In other words, it is far more dangerous than it is helpful.
Experts recommend giving up improvised steam baths and switching to much safer methods. Drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and over-the-counter medications can help. Anyone who feels a need for warm steam can enter a closed bathroom with hot running water, and above all avoid dealing with bowls of boiling water.
In the case of a burn, it is important to act quickly:
Cool the affected area with lukewarm water (not cold!) for 15–20 minutes. Immediate cooling helps reduce tissue damage.
Gently remove jewelry, belts, or tight clothing around the affected area. They should be removed before swelling appears and as long as they have not stuck to the skin.
Cover the burn with a soft sterile bandage or a clean cloth without direct adhesion to the skin.
Do not apply home substances (such as oil, butter, “grandma’s ointments”) – they may worsen the damage.
Other products that seem harmless may also be dangerous. Hot water bottles, for example, cause a series of injuries every year. Therefore, it is important to check the year of manufacture printed on them and replace them if more than two years have passed. The rubber wears out over time and the risk of leakage increases. In addition, do not fill a bottle with boiling water; instead, wait a few minutes for the water to cool slightly.
