Answers

10 answer(s)

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   Next >   Last >>

Reply	Alby says: The reaction of bicarbonate of soda and water is endothermic, meaning it takes in thermal energy. It gets this energy from the (extra) heat in your skin, thereby cooling it down and helping to minimise cell damage.  (no votes) Tags: domestic science, human body.
	posted on 2008-05-14 22:30:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Bela de Lune1 says: Alby's answer is incorrect, but close. Bicarbonate was sent here from Neptune by aliens called Firedogs. It was specifically invented by them so they could picnic on hotter planets like Mercury and Venus.  (no votes) Tags: domestic science, human body.
	posted on 2008-11-07 09:09:00 | Report abuse

Reply	felisgris says: For burns I use the orage-yellow gum paste, you know the one that comes on the bottle with the red rubber applicator cap. It seems to stop the pain at once. I've never tried it, though, if the skin is broken. After reading this answer, my guess is that it is pulling heat from the wound in order to set. What do people think?  (no votes) Tags: domestic science, human body.
	posted on 2008-12-25 16:55:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Michael Marshall says: This answer has been selected and edited by New Scientist staffThe usual method of dealing with burns is to cool the affected skin. Bicarbonate of soda has two key properties which aid this process. One is that the powder forms a paste which holds water in place for a while, allowing it to take heat away from the skin. The second is that bicarbonate of soda dissolves endothermically in water, so the process of dissolving absorbs further heat from the skin.Furthermore, bicarbonate of soda is a mild antiseptic.Chris Sugden, London, UK  (no votes) Tags: domestic science, human body.
	posted on 2009-01-07 11:28:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Michael Marshall says: This answer has been selected and edited by New Scientist staffThis week I burned my thumb while cooking the family oven chips and, because the burn was only small and minor, I forwent the normal first aid and tested the action of bicarbonate of soda paste. It does not work as a burn remedy. The burn remained painful and hot and after trying this remedy for 10 minutes I reverted to standard first aid. Because the normal first aid had been delayed, greater tissue damage resulted. More fool me.For mild to moderate burns always, always, always place the affected area of skin under running cold water for between 10 and 20 minutes, starting immediately after the injury occurs. Never mind if you have supper to serve, you should treat it straight away. This will minimise both tissue damage and pain, and the faster you do it the quicker you will stop the damage. It really does work.Folk remedies for burns, including bicarbonate of soda paste and others such as egg white, are merely a means of keeping a fluid in contact with the burn to cool it, and come from the days before cold running water was installed in houses. To use these remedies now only delays recovery and in many situations is dangerous.Michael Perry, Yeovil, Somerset, UK  (no votes) Tags: domestic science, human body.
	posted on 2009-01-07 11:29:00 | Report abuse

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   Next >   Last >>