Onions work for wasp stings

Q. Last week, a red wasp stung my finger. It had gotten in one of the drawers in my bathroom and nailed me when I reached for my hairbrush. That hurt so much! Within minutes, my whole finger was twice its size, and I could not do anything for the excruciating pain as my entire hand started to swell.

In desperation, I went online looking for something to help and found your website after 30 agonizing minutes. I cut an onion and started rubbing the cut end on the sting. Within seven minutes, the pain began to ease, and within 30, the pain was almost gone. The swelling had subsided by almost half, and I was able to get ready for work.

I taped the onion on my finger, and within a couple of hours, all of the swelling was gone. Onion works well for a red wasp sting.

A. We have been writing about raw onion for stings for more than 20 years. Eric Block, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading experts on onion chemistry. He told us that onions contain an enzyme that can break down the inflammatory compounds that cause pain and swelling in response to a sting.

If you like such approaches, we have many more sting solutions and hundreds of other simple treatments in our new book from National Geographic (“The People’s Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies”). Although such therapies can help many, those who are allergic to insect stings must be alert for a life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock. This requires an epinephrine injection and emergency medical attention.

Q. I had a wart on my right ring finger for years. Although the dermatologist had frozen it and cut it off several times, the wart still was there.

I needed nerve surgery on that finger, but the wart was in the way. My hand surgeon told me to put nail polish or instant glue directly on the wart and keep it on for three weeks. That would cut off the air supply a wart needs to survive and grow.

I did that religiously. When I returned for my pre-op visit, the wart had died and popped out when hard pressure was applied. This was so simple and painless, it was amazing. The glue I used caused no ill effects to the surrounding tissue on my finger, and the nerve surgery proceeded.

A. You are not the first person to tell us that instant glue can be successful against warts. We’re glad this remedy worked for you.

Q. I’ve been eating gin-soaked raisins for more than a year, and it helps me tremendously with my joint pain.

I put the raisins in a casserole dish, and, after pouring in the gin, I cover the dish with a dish towel. This allows more of the alcohol to evaporate. I let it sit for nine days, stirring every day or so. Then I place the raisins in a jar with a lid and eat nine daily.

They taste delicious — no alcohol taste whatsoever! If you taste the alcohol, you may not be allowing enough of the gin to evaporate.

A. We appreciate your detailed description for preparing gin-soaked raisins. Many people have reported success with this remedy. But it’s not for everyone. Here is a cautionary tale:

“I am an alcoholic. Up until a few weeks ago, I had several years of sobriety. I also have arthritis in my hands and thought about using your raisin and gin recipe. I mistakenly thought the gin would be transformed by the raisins and would be safe for me to use.

“I’m now back in the nightmarish hell of drinking again. Please warn people that if they have a problem with alcohol, they should avoid this medicine.”

2011 King Features Syndicate Inc.