‘Wet pajama treatment’ clears eczema for physician’s son

Q. Do you know about the “wet pajama” treatment for childhood eczema? Wet a pair of cotton pajamas and wring them out. Put them on the child, then layer a pair of dry fleece pajamas over the top. Leave both pairs of pajamas on overnight.

The child’s body heat creates a layer of high humidity that hydrates the skin. As a physician, I treat older patients, but this approach cleared our son’s severe eczema in three days.

A. Thanks for sharing this unusual treatment. We did discover some caveats. The pajamas must be well-wrung-out and not too wet. Some people put moisturizer on before slipping on the pajamas. Make sure the youngster does not have an infection, and don’t allow him or her to get chilled. We’ll be interested in learning how well this approach works for others.

Q. I am one of those people who cannot tolerate statin drugs to lower cholesterol. I have taken lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and Lipitor. They make my muscles ache, so I cannot exercise.

I am concerned about cholesterol, however. Can you tell me about foods that are heart-healthy?

A. Some people are able to lower cholesterol with diet, emphasizing certain foods. One reader shared his wife’s experience. Her doctor was concerned about her high cholesterol. She read about the benefits of walnuts and began to eat 1‚Ñ2 cup daily. Within a few months, her cholesterol was much better. The doctor was baffled until she told him about the walnuts.

We have documented the science supporting the heart-healthy properties of walnuts and many other foods, such as almonds, apple-cider vinegar, beets, fish oil and many other dietary methods for controlling cholesterol in our new book, “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.” It is available online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I must share a remedy I have used for years for nighttime leg cramps. There is no prescription, no side effect, and it is simple and readily available.

Just pinch the bridge of the nose (pretty hard) for five to 10 seconds. You can feel the cramp dissolve. It has never failed me, and I love telling others about it and seeing their pain relieved. I hope you won’t discount this treatment as “silly.” Leg and foot cramps can be seriously painful, and this technique really works.

A. This is a variant on another technique readers have shared. Here is one account: “For about 15 years, I suffered agonizing leg cramps, usually at night. I couldn’t sleep and would almost panic at the thought of having one.

“Taking quinine helped, but it caused ringing in my ears. One day I read an article about Frank Broyles. When he was coaching at Arkansas, he told players with leg cramps to pinch the upper lip right beneath the nose and hold it until the cramps eased. I thought this sounded odd, but I tried it. When the cramps started, I pinched my upper lip, and the cramps gradually went away.”

Q. In a recent column, a reader asked for natural alternatives for anxiety and stress that won’t produce side effects. I was disappointed that you didn’t mention exercise.

According to a review of the literature in the “Handbook of Sport Psychology” (2001), as little as five to 10 minutes of aerobic or anaerobic exercise reduces anxiety.

A. Thanks for the reminder of the benefit of exercise against anxiety. Daily exercise also is effective against depression.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.”

2009 King Features Syndicate Inc.