Are you also on the team that has a little dust or a miracle remedy for any skin problem, from poor hydration to pimples? And do you use the medicine even without your dermatologist's consent? Worse yet, do you recommend it to all your acquaintances? Wrong team, this, dear reader. This column will make you change your mind quickly.
Never ever!
Since each organism is different and has its own peculiarities, it is not at all legal to use the same medicine (either topically or orally). Although some skin diseases have similar characteristics, what was great for someone can cause them allergy, irritation or have no effect.
Not to mention that you may not even improve the problem if you self-medicate but get worse, so when you decide to see the doctor ends up facing a longer and expensive treatment as well.
You may not feel any bad self-medication effects at first, but allergies may arise in the long run. And then you, besides not solving the first problem, will have to deal with a second one.
The danger of some medicines
Laxatives, eye drops and creams in general are the most common to have at home without a prescription. In addition to not solving your problem, they can mask far more serious illnesses. See below:
Ointments, creams and exfoliating: The fact that most are sold in the pharmacy without a prescription does not mean that they do well. Indiscriminate use can hide diseases such as skin cancer, can cause contact dermatitis, or may have no effect.
Creams for aesthetic purposes (such as anti-cellulite, sagging and localized fat) bought at markets or even pharmacies usually have low concentration of substances that help in the loss of measures. If you use them yourself, you are mistaken because you need diet, exercise and a prescription cream (often manipulated). Face creams and scrubs deserve even more care since the skin is more sensitive.
Eye drops: If you don't have a prescription, clean water is the only substance that can get in your eyes. Eye drops have a variety of active ingredients, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics, can mask or exacerbate disease. When you have problems, such as glaucoma, you risk aggravating them.
Laxative: At one time or another, very rarely, you can even opt for them. Now, if consumed always and indiscriminately, this can lead to intestinal changes. And even cause more serious problems such as bowel perforation. In the elderly, it can cause dehydration and metabolic changes, putting life at risk.
People with intestinal tumors, usually undiagnosed, can aggravate the disease. Ideally, seek medical attention and get your food and water intake right. And don't even think about using them to lose weight, ok? Losing weight only works when you diet (monitored by a nutritionist) and play sports regularly.
Food suplements: the darlings you knit and want to gain mass soon can have toxic effects or do nothing. Studies further link supplements with the development of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. That is: only take with the consent of your doctor.
Don't let the lack of time or laziness to go to the doctor make you a victim of self-medication. The consequences may be more severe than you might think or you still risk taking (or passing) medicine for nothing. It's not worth playing a doctor on a daily basis, ok?
Say No to Self Medication! A public service message. (April 2024)
- Prevention and Treatment
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