Soap & Sugar

[BoonDoc]

that's good toknow... thank you!

i have 2 questions: will any soap work? and how long do you have to keep it on?

I would go with ordinary soap and skip the antibacterial stuff. There have been some research stating that we use far too much antibacterial soap which is causing resistant bacteria.

 

[kiltedpict]

I would go with ordinary soap and skip the antibacterial stuff. There have been some research stating that we use far too much antibacterial soap which is causing resistant bacteria.

As someone who deals with the effects of antibiotic resistance on a daily basis, I echo the above!

ATB,

KP

 

[comeonbabylightmyfire]

The black gunk referred to earlier by Wayland, and also used by my nan, was probably icthammol - a drawing salve. It is aluminum bituminosulphate, distilled from high sulphur oil shale and rumoured to have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. I can testify to its ability to bring splinters and glass shards to the surface. That said I've not seen it for about fifty years.

Zam-Buc is a pretty effective proprietary substitute and all round 'healing compound' still readily available which I use as a cure-all for any skin complaints including cuts, grazes and splinters.

 

[geordienemisis]

Yeah me being old too can remember my Granny and Mum using a poultice for various ailments. Years later as a Painter and decorator I would use soap & sugar to remove Paint, as the sugar acts as an abrasive. I miss the good old days when you never had a care in the world (Oops hear I go again).

 

[Toddy]

The black gunk referred to earlier by Wayland, and also used by my nan, was probably icthammol - a drawing salve. It is aluminum bituminosulphate, distilled from high sulphur oil shale and rumoured to have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. I can testify to its ability to bring splinters and glass shards to the surface. That said I've not seen it for about fifty years.

Zam-Buc is a pretty effective proprietary substitute and all round 'healing compound' still readily available which I use as a cure-all for any skin complaints including cuts, grazes and splinters.

I wondered about that; I reckoned it might also be black basilicon ointment, made with pitch, beeswax, lard and olive oil.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Tadpole]

Yeah me being old too can remember my Granny and Mum using a poultice for various ailments. Years later as a Painter and decorator I would use soap & sugar to remove Paint, as the sugar acts as an abrasive. I miss the good old days when you never had a care in the world (Oops hear I go again).

I still use this, or if I have some soap and saw-dust. back in the 80s my old boss used to buy "Swarfega with beads" but we thought sawdust was just as good and didn't cost a fiver for a tub. (workshop was full of free sawdust)
I've been using soap and sawdust/sugar since then.

 

[dwardo]

My Gran swears by the green inner skin of an onion either wrapped or bound to draw out a splinter.
I have far too little patience and usualy opt for a clean sharp knife and tweesers, sterile of course.

 

[gan_pi]

probably less relevant here, but with metal splinters I've found that sticking a blob of superglue on the skin, letting it set and then as you peel it off the splinter comes out. works with wood too, but the speed can be good with metal.
cheapo swarfega's easily made by adding sand to liquid soap, but rather than cleaning with soap, use alcohol or saline. preferably alcohol, any excuse to carry a hip flask

 

[c0nna]

Thanks for the tips.