Vitamin E lacks scar-curing success

Q. I'm a fourth-grader working on a science project about applying vitamin E (topically) to scars. Is there any research proving that it heals scars faster if applied daily?
A. The idea that applying vitamin E oil to scars can make them heal faster has been circulating for decades. The little research that has been done does not support this claim, though.
In one study, patients were followed carefully after skin-cancer surgery (Dermatologic Surgery, April 1999). A moisturizing ointment (Aquaphor) containing vitamin E was applied to part of the scar, while plain Aquaphor was applied to the other part. Neither patients nor physicians knew which ointment contained the vitamin E.
The scars treated with vitamin E did not heal faster. In fact, many looked worse. One-third of the patients actually developed contact dermatitis (red rash) in response to vitamin E.
Q. My chiropractor says that NSAIDs will make my arthritis worse over time and recommends glucosamine instead. My orthopedist just laughs and says that's hooey. He says that the Food and Drug Administration approves drugs because they work and that glucosamine is unproven. Do you have any information on this?
A. Recent research (Arthritis and Rheumatism, October 2005) suggests that long-term use of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of joint deterioration. Dutch investigators studied more than 2,000 arthritis sufferers and found that those on the prescription drug diclofenac were more likely to have X-ray evidence of arthritis progression. Ibuprofen and naproxen did not appear to carry the same risk.
A recent rigorous trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that glucosamine was not very effective. A small subset of patients with moderate to severe knee pain did get some benefit, however.
We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis in which we discuss NSAIDs and many other treatment options, including home remedies and herbal therapies.
Q. In an article on your Web site you suggest Bag Balm for dry, red hands. Would this work on rough, dry heels as well? Would it stain the sheets if you used it at bedtime?
A. Bag Balm was originally developed to protect cows' udders from chapping. It contains an antiseptic in a lanolin and petroleum jelly base. While Bag Balm might help rough, dry feet, it is quite greasy and is likely to stain sheets unless you wear socks to bed.
Q. I am 52, going through menopause and getting good relief from black cohosh. I was distressed to read in your column that this herb could be toxic to the liver. How dangerous is it?
A. There are several reports of liver toxicity associated with black cohosh in the medical literature. We suspect this reaction is uncommon, however. A study of 300 women in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology (May 2005) reported "no serious adverse events" with black cohosh, including liver enzymes.
XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
& copy; 2005 King Features Syndicate Inc.