Lemon juice eases pain of sting

Q. I stepped on a hornet, and the sting felt like a piece of glass in my foot. I rushed to the refrigerator and applied the cut side of a lemon to the sting for about 20 minutes. The pain subsided, and there was no swelling or other residual effect from the sting.

I thought of the lemon because a friend had told me about a young child who’d been stung about 30 times and was saved by the lemon remedy. I am a true believer.

A. Thank you for sharing your remedy. Yours is the first report we have received on lemon being helpful against a wasp or hornet sting. We were not able to find any research backing up this remedy, but we are glad it helped you.

Some readers like other wasp-sting remedies, such as applying the cut surface of an onion or a cloth dipped in cool witch hazel or vinegar.

Chemist Eric Block, Ph.D., told us that onions contain enzymes that can break down the proteins in venom. Turkish beekeepers have been using onions (and other natural approaches) on bee stings for centuries (International Forum on Allergy and Rhinology, July 2014).

Q. I read that soy would prevent heart disease and osteoporosis, so I switched from cow’s milk to soy milk. I put it on my cereal and in my coffee every morning, and drink a glass at lunchtime as well. I also started using soy sausages and burgers instead of meat.

Then I heard that soy is bad for the thyroid gland. I am hypothyroid. Can you tell me anything more about this connection? Should I give up my soy milk?

A. This is surprisingly complicated. Rodent research suggests that compounds in soy may indeed disrupt thyroid function (Experimental Biology and Medicine, June 2013; Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, July 15, 2014). But research in monkeys shows soy does not seem to interfere with thyroid-gland activity (Menopause, October 2014).

In humans, experiments have been inconsistent (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, February 2014). There are cases of newborn babies whose thyroid conditions worsened when they were fed soy formula (Pediatrics, September 2012).

Moderating soy consumption might be prudent.

Q. When I was in high school, I developed a case of athlete’s foot from not drying my feet properly after gym class. My doctor back then told me to go barefoot for the summer. He said the sun would knock the infection out, and I would not have a problem.

Well, that summer I went barefoot every chance I got. I got a beautiful tan while playing or just doing summer activities, and my feet were tanned, too. There was no more athlete’s foot bothering me, and I have not had athlete’s foot ever since.

A. Athlete’s foot usually is caused by a fungal infection (Trichophyton rubrum). This organism, like most other fungi, loves dark, damp places, which is why it thrives between the toes.

Eliminating the darkness and the damp by going barefoot in the summer is an easy fix. Keep in mind, though, that going barefoot inside with an active case of athlete’s foot could spread it to others. Wearing flip-flops would be thoughtful.

2015 King Features Syndicate Inc.