Bente Klarlund answers questions from readers. This time about diet pills and treating a swollen finger.
Is there any point in this housewife trick?
Petra: In continuation of your answer to a reader regarding the treatment of blisters: My grandmother, who was a nurse, claimed that, for example, a bruised finger or other pus-filled area should be held under the hot tap – and that the water should be as hot as possible, of course without burning yourself. This should cause the infection to ‘flare up’, so that the white blood cells would be activated more quickly and start a healing process. Is there anything about this old health advice – or in other words: Does heat have a positive effect on the immune system?
Bente Klarlund Pedersen: Inflammation of the finger, aka a bullous finger, is often characterized by redness, warmth, swelling and pain. It can develop if an injury or infection in the finger is not treated, and it can lead to blood poisoning if it spreads to the hollow hand.
