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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Used Tiger Balm, then googled, now scared :(

17 replies

OrangeGloss · 21/03/2011 07:34

Im 16 weeks, and after a nasty cold I've been left with a sinus infection. Yesterday I felt so rough I put some clear Tiger Balm on my forehead, and used maximum 5 times over 24 hours.

I suddenly thought I hadn't googled it first....I've seen mixed views and wish I hadn't used it, and won't again. Do you think a small one-off use will have any effect? I'm so worried :(

OP posts:
winnybella · 21/03/2011 07:35

You'll be fine Smile

CBear6 · 21/03/2011 07:58

You'll be fine. With DS I used to worry whenever I did anything "wrong" and I discussed it one day with my GP, this next bit is going to sound awful but he's very plain speaking, and he told me that heroin addicts have live babies so any mild mistakes on my part are very unlikely to do any damage. Told you it sounds awful but really it's true, advice given to pregnant women is overly cautious at times and I personally think it's that way so that you have some wiggle room. Plus advice is always changing and varies greatly. Know how we're told to avoid liver and liver products? A friend of mine lives in the States and was told to eat liver at least once a week. She was told by her doctor that hairdye is unsafe, I was told it's fine.

Oh, and Dr Google is the enemy of every pregnant woman!

Don't worry about it, hope you feel better soon!

NumptyMum · 21/03/2011 08:04

I just posted on someone else's thread re pharmaceutical products - unless they can PROVE they are fine, they won't endorse their use for pregnant women. After all, who is going to pay/be able to do a controlled trial with pregnant women? I'd still avoid pharmaceutical products out of caution, and it's always worth checking re natural products as some are harmful to pregnant women (aromatherapy suggests not using various oils during pregnancy) but I think applying them to your forehead once or twice won't have a huge impact. Just avoid in future if it does make you stressed!

Boilable · 21/03/2011 08:10

Tiger balm was the only thing that stopped my skin itching while pg. Without it I would not have slept for the month I had a weird pg-related allergy. I practically bathed in the stuff and DS is fine (apart from the stripy fur..)

NumptyMum · 21/03/2011 08:15

lol at Boilable's stripey DS Grin.

Original poster
OrangeGloss · 21/03/2011 08:50

Thanks I feel a bit better if not very silly for not checking first

I'd googled Vicks and Lockets, and every post seemed they were safe, but I had a panic about them too, having used them for the past week. The pharmacist said stop using but don't worry about past usage. I feel so annoyed at myself

I appreciate everyone's comments, it puts things into perspective a bit

OP posts:
owlbooty · 21/03/2011 11:23

I really do think Google is evil in this respect - anyone can post an opinion, and unfortunately every nut-job seems to go right ahead.

Even if drug companies were allowed to do clinical trials on pregnant women (which is damn near impossible to get ethical approval for) nobody would bother unless it was proven to have some hugely beneficial effect in pregnancy that the drug company could make money out of - because trials of a decent size cost millions to run. And even then, people will still come back and report adverse effects related to the drug even if they aren't real as people tend to attribute any disaster to the drugs they're taking regardless of whether it was actually the drugs that caused it.

So, in summary, it's always cheaper for the drug company to just put 'not suitable for pregnant women' on the label.

This site is generally pretty reliable and also has tiger balm listed on it - it says not for excessive use during pregnancy but it doesn't say don't use it.

Grin
spatchcock · 21/03/2011 11:28

Surely stressing about every little thing is going to be far worse for your developing baby than a bit of lotion? Just relax and stop googling!

Original poster
OrangeGloss · 21/03/2011 20:52

Thanks you two for those sensible words, it's appreciated

OP posts:
KatieWatie · 21/03/2011 21:13

What's Tiger Balm, and how can something you put on your skin be bad for baby? Confused

Sorry for being naive!

Original poster
OrangeGloss · 21/03/2011 21:32

It's from Thailand, and is good for bites and headaches. I think there is something in it that may not be good for pg, but I've been led to believe they're playing safe - but so will I

OP posts:
JimmyChoo17 · 21/03/2011 21:48

Wouldn't worry I researched this to death!! It's the campher that's supposed to be bad but it seems you would have to be bathing in it to have any effect on baby.

Katie some things you absorb and can pass try the placenta. Most of these things are cautionary and it's unethical to test on pregnant people.

I use it for bites and for congestion.

My stock is from Dubai and Thailand too.

I wouldn't worry about it but I felt the same as you but would not stop using it if I needed it.

JimmyChoo17 · 21/03/2011 21:49

*pass thru the placenta I mean.

FoxMulder · 24/07/2013 15:32

I realise this thread is crazy old, but I've been using tiger balm for bites! Bugger! Never occurred to me that it might not be ok (until I looked this up just now, obviously). It doesn't say anything about not being suitable for pregnant women on the tub. Mind you, it's mostly in Thai.

This is a lose-lose situation, because you can't use insect repellent either!

April13 · 24/07/2013 15:43

Randomly, Avons Skin-so-Soft is brilliant as an insect repellant.....

ElonaWise · 21/05/2021 21:25

Sorry to start this again, I've used Tiger Balm for two days as its the only thing that helps with severe back pain but just googled it and no frightened. If you've used it and everything was fine please let me know. X

Javiera · 29/10/2021 02:18

I have the same problem, I just used tiger balm on my neck and after googled it. If anyone has used and everything was fine please let us know! I have read mixed information and I’m not sure how bad this is for pg. thanks in advance

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