How about your favorite Old Wives Tales related to health?

[NurseyTonyaLPN]

Another post (about stupid things patients say) made me think about this, I don't know if it's been posted before. But I have an elderly family member who says these things (and will not hear otherwise):

1) Having a baby at 7 months is better than having it at 8 months. My doctor told me something happens in the 8th month and if the process is disturbed it's bad for the baby. (I told her I've learned that every day in the womb is better for the baby, but she insists that's not the case).

2) Her breastmilk turned "to water" when her daughter was 3 months old and it was no longer good for her to breastfeed (I mentioned that babies go through a growth spurt at that time, but she insists, her Dr told her the breastmilk turned to water).

Makes you wonder about these docs back then huh? I know they probably did the best with their knowlege, but some people won't accept any new advice, if their doctor said it in 1940 it must be true huh? Any other favorite wives tales?

Tonya

[rocket surgery]

According to my mom, biting your fingernails causes intestinal worms.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Being pregnant has brought out all kinds of advice from my patients and their families. Everyone feels the need to comment. I don't mind it, but I do think the 'you're carrying high/low/wide, it's a boy/girl' thing is funny. Except for the third trimester waddle, you can't tell I'm pregnant from behind; it's only when I turn around and everything in front is bigger. I carried my son that way, and I'm carrying this one (a girl) that way as well. That always surprises people. :)

[rkitty198, BSN, RN]

If you have heartburn while you're pregnant your baby will have a lot of hair!!

This one is true! High levels of estrogen lead to heartburn- as can a large fetus- the increased estrogen leads to an increase in hair growth. Thus why men lose their hair and thin faster is because they have testosterone. My OB told me this when my son came out with this massive head of thick hair, after all of my complaints of heartburn!

[tetovari]

Here in Macedonia/Kosovo everyone believes that hepatitis can be cured by seeing some old lady who specializes in cutting a slit in your inner upper lip with a razor blade. They say "cut your hepatitis" and you are cured. *****

[Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN]

I haven't read all the way through the thread yet (boy, this one goes WAAAAAY back!), but it reminds me of a bit from one of my favorite movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

"Put a little Windex on it."

I've always wondered if there's any truth to it.

[Vespertinas]

In my family/culture it's bad luck to show things on yourself (regarding ill health). Since I started nursing school, I was ALWAYS demonstrating wounds/drain/incisions on myself to describe something I had seen to my family and they jumped from their seats every time to stop me. They still do that, and I keep doing it. hehe

[egglady, LPN]

I heard an old wives tale of putting garlic drops in the ears of a child with ear ache! Stinky!!

[Vespertinas]

Yep! warm oil and a small piece of cotton. Just did that a couple years ago on myself