05-08-2006, 05:04 PM
While I'm normally not a fan of the finger-pointing shame-on-you type of responses, in this case there is a good point to be made, perhaps macaroo is already aware of it: Antibiotics can work wonders when you really need them, but they are not aspirin, and should not be taken at the drop of a hat.
Doctors often are prescribing them L & R, sometimes to the long-term detriment of the patients own immune system; sometimes to the detriment of the antibiotic's own effectiveness. I personally feel they should usually be avoided except as a last resort, if you want to stay healthy. Better to try to avoid the infection from the start if possible, as cbelt3 suggests w/saline spray.
That said, earlier this year I got a stubborn infection in a finger through a tiny little cut, and it just wouldn't go away. I did everything short of voodoo before finally giving in and getting the professional's Rx. It took a 10-day course of oral antibiotic, then 10 days of a strong topical antibiotic, then a 2nd 15-day course of the oral AB, to finally knock it out. I'd not like to repeat that again for many years, but when you need it, you need it.
Doctors often are prescribing them L & R, sometimes to the long-term detriment of the patients own immune system; sometimes to the detriment of the antibiotic's own effectiveness. I personally feel they should usually be avoided except as a last resort, if you want to stay healthy. Better to try to avoid the infection from the start if possible, as cbelt3 suggests w/saline spray.
That said, earlier this year I got a stubborn infection in a finger through a tiny little cut, and it just wouldn't go away. I did everything short of voodoo before finally giving in and getting the professional's Rx. It took a 10-day course of oral antibiotic, then 10 days of a strong topical antibiotic, then a 2nd 15-day course of the oral AB, to finally knock it out. I'd not like to repeat that again for many years, but when you need it, you need it.