Old wives tales

Specialties Private Duty

Published

I was taking with a parent who insists that the things she was taught about healthcare are correct. All of this parents "knowledge" comes from old wives tales. The things I've seen/heard are just plain scary.

So what are things you've seen and heard? Have you been able to educate those parents at all? Do you just go with it and document to cover yourself? Do you try to teach them right? I want this to be a fun thread to share stories and have a laugh. But I also want it to share ways to handle this type of parent.

So I just heard that corn starch draws out toxins from a brown recluse bite and heals it. Apparently the hospitals and doctors have been treating it all wrong all of this time! Haha! Of course, I just nodded and smiled and let that one go.

This didn't happen to me, but a friend working in ER in the early 80s who had a patient with main c/o "leaves growing out of my Virginia" (not a typo, that's what the patient called it).

This was an older lady with a prolapsed uterus-apparently she was told inserting a potato would take care of it. Kind of an organic pessary. Then it sprouted...

No wat that actually happened.

Funny story, though!

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Specializes in Hospice.
No wat that actually happened.

Funny story, though!

I've been around Nursing for almost 4 decades, I've seen and heard just about every weird, bat-crap crazy thing out there. I don't have to make things up.

Frankly, if I were to write a screenplay and try to sell it in Hollywood, no one would believe it!!

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Zinc oxide (what makes diaper rash ointment white) is a healing skin protectant. You don't put it on an abrasion or cut but it's effective for early granulation or irritation at a stoma site. Not an old wives tale.

Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, pepto bismol have similar protectant qualities so are also effective for stoma irritation and moist rashes.

Yes i know that,i was just mentioning the off label use.

I have read that Milk of Magnesia neutralizes the stomach acid that sometimes leakes from G tube stomas.

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I had a parent that would put diced onions in her daughters sock.

She said it was to cure the child's cold.

Also had a parent put Vicks liquid drops into the heated chamber of the vent.

I did not know what to say,as i have never seen that before.

The nursing supervisor said it was ok,do not be alarmed.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Freaking FAT BACK (the southern phrase for the sliver of fat you trim off of meat/pork) over a laceration. SERIOUSLY, I know the person who did this and he WOULD NOT listen to reason.

Ended up with a raging infection and had to have it lanced and was on abx for a few weeks.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
This didn't happen to me, but a friend working in ER in the early 80s who had a patient with main c/o "leaves growing out of my Virginia" (not a typo, that's what the patient called it).

This was an older lady with a prolapsed uterus-apparently she was told inserting a potato would take care of it. Kind of an organic pessary. Then it sprouted...

Ahh yes...the DIY pessary. Have heard of these before. Thankful I have not had first hand experience with them, just heard stories.

What I would like to know is how these "cures" spread so long ago when the Internet and even telephone had yet to be invented. :what:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Ahh yes...the DIY pessary. Have heard of these before. Thankful I have not had first hand experience with them, just heard stories.

What I would like to know is how these "cures" spread so long ago when the Internet and even telephone had yet to be invented. :what:

Oral history/stories passed down from elders to the next generation. It's amazing what elders can share.

My grandmother insisted beer increases breast milk production. When my son was an infant she would buy me six packs! It made me ill but kept my dad happy! She had dozens of cures & treatments. Lemonade or watermelon for swollen lower legs (actually effective as long as not due to CHF and more so due to hot humid weather)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Hops are a galactogogue (something that increases milk production). Unfortunately, alcohol inhibits letdown, though.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hops are a galactogogue (something that increases milk production). Unfortunately, alcohol inhibits letdown, though.

So O'Dools over Pabst blue ribbon. ;)

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I have a parent who will lift the patient's arms up when patient is choking. The clinical supervisor has tried to explain this does nothing, but the parent refuses to listen.

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I have a parent who will lift the patient's arms up when patient is choking. The clinical supervisor has tried to explain this does nothing, but the parent refuses to listen.

My mom used to say that! You know when some water goes down the wrong way or whatever and you have a bit of a coughing fit? She used to yell "ARMS UP! ARMS UP!!!!!" It seemed to work when I was a kid for some reason. I wonder.

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My mom used to say that! You know when some water goes down the wrong way or whatever and you have a bit of a coughing fit? She used to yell "ARMS UP! ARMS UP!!!!!" It seemed to work when I was a kid for some reason. I wonder.

My mom did this to me to lol exactly the the same way... Now if my child chokes in front of her, she yells "get his arms up!" And I of course pull his arms up and start shaking him patting him on the back... Lol this made me laugh so hard.

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