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Monday, March 7, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Areview of home remedies DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you referred to two pos- sible cures for toe- nail fungus other than menthol salve. One was an over- the-counter prod- uct, and the other was a soaking agent. Could you please relate what these two potential cures are? Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READER: The article to which you are probably referring can be found on my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com/ nail-fungus-home-reme- dies. There are many home remedies for nail fungus, some more successful (based on reader input) than others. I believe one of the products you are referring to is Miranel, which is avail- able over-the-counter at Walgreens. It is applied directly to the toenail and surrounding skin daily using the applicator brush provided. Another product that has been successful is decol- orized iodine, also known as white iodine. This prod- uct may also improve weak, brittle nails. As for soaking agents, I have received several letters regarding white vinegar. Some people soak a cotton ball and then apply it to the affected nail several times a day, while others simply dilute the vinegar with warm water and soak the whole foot. This may also help with athlete’s foot. Others have chosen to use diluted bleach in a simi- lar manner. Many years ago, I rec- ommended a foot soak using Pau d’Arco tea. The feet have to be soaked sev- eral times a day. I have since stopped recommending it because the above remedies appear to be readily avail- able, easier, less expensive and provide better results. DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you please reprint your colon cocktail and grape arthritis drink recipes? I clipped them out but seem to have misplaced them when I moved. Thank you. DEAR READER: My colon cocktail is simply equal portions of apple- sauce, bran and prune juice. Take 1 or 2 tablespoons each morning to prevent and/or rem- edy constipation. Be sure to store any extra in the refriger- ator. It is best to prepare it in small batches because it lasts only up to three or four days once mixed. The arthritis drink is 8 ounces of purple grape juice mixed with 1 tablespoon of liquid pectin. This can be used up to three times a day until symptoms are under control, and then most users continue with a mainte- nance dose of one glass per day. Some readers have used apple or light grape juice. Another popular remedy for arthritis is a castor-oil rub. The oil is massaged onto the affected joint once or twice a day. For those who prefer a warming or cooling effect, Castiva may be preferable because it is made with a castor-oil base and warming capsaicin. DEAR DR. GOTT: Some time ago, you men- tioned a specific shampoo that seemed to have hair- restorative properties. I for- got to write down the name of that shampoo and would like to know if you remem- ber it. Thanks. DEAR READER: You are likely referring to Tre- semme Silk Protein Healthy Volume Shampoo and Tre- semme Vitamin E Condi- tioner. Other readers have also had success with other types of Tresemme sham- poos and conditioners that contain biotin and B vita- mins. Readers who are inter- ested in learning more about home remedies can order “Dr. Gott’s Com- pelling Home Remedies” and “More Compelling Home Remedies” by sending a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order per report made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Conceited companion commands care Dear Annie: How do you deal with a husband who thinks the world revolves around him? ‘‘Donald’’ always has to be the center of attention and makes sure he is in the spot- light at all times. People have told me he is spoiled and self-centered, which I already knew from many years of marriage. Several years ago, I tried Annie’s Mailbox to improve my life by eat- ing healthier, losing weight and being more active. I tried, unsuccessfully, to encourage Don- ald to join me. So I cooked healthier meals and tried to make gradual changes that seemed to work. Now, Donald has health issues. by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Everything centers around what he needs. Suddenly exercise is a top priority. He informs me almost daily of how his nutritionist wants him to eat. If food isn’t prepared properly, seasoned just so and fresh each day, it will hurt his health. If it doesn’t taste good, he won’t be able to eat it and it will cause problems. He claims he never eats in excess, yet he will grab candy bars and ice cream and think that’s perfectly fine. Donald talks about his condition constantly to anyone who asks how he is. He delights in recounting all the details and expounds on his ‘‘excellent’’ performance in therapy and how hard he ‘‘pushes’’ himself at each workout. Frankly, I am tired of it. He does- n’t care if I am sick as long as I still devote all my attention to him because he’s the most important person. He never says ‘‘please’’ or ‘‘thank you.’’ He just demands what he wants and loves being in total control. I have no one to talk to in my small community. Where do I go from here? How do I continue to deal with Don- ald? — Why Is It Always About Him? Dear Why: Someone as self-centered as Donald thinks he deserves to be treated like royalty and have his every move lauded. Many wives in your position would simply humor him and ignore the rest. If you cannot manage that, there are online counseling services available. Ask your doctor for a referral. Dear Annie: I have a son in his late 20s who has bipolar disorder. He struggles because he cannot afford the medicine, which costs upward of $350 a month. He was recently fired from his job since he couldn’t maintain his meds and con- trol himself. Is there somewhere he can get assistance with this? He is such a wonderful person when he is on his medication. But now, he is close to losing everything. — A Family in Need of Assistance Dear In Need: There are pro- grams that offer medications at reduced rates for those with bipolar disease. First, your son should check with the drug company. They often supply their medications at a lower cost. Other suggestions are: prescription drug patient assistance programs (nami.org); Needy Meds (needymeds.org); Partnership for Prescription Assistance (pparx.org); RxAssist (rxassist.org); and The Medicine Program (themedicine- program.com). We hope your son can find the help he needs soon. Dear Annie: Let me add a differ- ent perspective for ‘‘Snubbed Co- Worker,’’ who felt she was being ignored and treated rudely. I could be her co-worker. I work with a woman who never stops talking. If you give her so much as a nod or a smile, she will corner you and go on indefinitely. I long ago gave up being polite in order to avoid her verbal clutches. We work in close proximity, so I have the ‘‘pleasure’’ of listening to her incessant conversations (often with herself). I have no clue how she gets her job done, but she sure makes it diffi- cult for me to do mine. I ignore her, so she may feel snubbed, but it helps keep me sane. — Snubbing for San- ity’s Sake Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. North Central Region spring turkey hunts The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is now accepting applica- tions for spring wild turkey hunts in the North Central Region, and dead- lines are approaching. These hunts are being offered at Spenceville, Oroville, Daugherty Hill and Gray Lodge wildlife areas. A special hunt opportunity is also avail- able at the Cosumnes River Preserve, in partner- ship with the Bureau of Land Management. DFG will accept appli- cations through April 5, but hunters should check the rolling deadlines for each available hunt. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday at least two weeks before the hunt date. The application and details are on the DFG website at http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/Ga meBirdHeritageHunts/De fault.aspx, where hunters can create a DFG web account to be used for all online special hunt appli- cations. Drawings will be held immediately following the application deadlines. Results will be available online and successful applicants will receive maps and specific hunt information and/or per- mits in the mail. Any vacancies after the draw- ing will be filled on a first- come, first-served basis. The 2011 spring turkey hunting regulations sum- mary is on the DFG web- site at www.dfg.ca.gov/regula- tions/.