Given that I've
posted periodically about various forms of urine therapy, I was intrigued to come across
this slate.com article alleging that many professional baseball players regularly pee on their hands in the belief that the urine will toughen their skin:
"In a recent interview with ESPN's Gary Miller, Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou revealed that during baseball season he urinates on his hands to toughen them up. Alou, one of the few major leaguers who doesn't wear gloves while batting, is backed up by Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who says, "You don't want to shake my hand during spring training." Even Cubs hurler Kerry Wood mentioned on a local radio show that he's tried the technique to remedy blisters on his pitching hand."
The article goes on to argue that urine probably would work well to soften your skin since urea is an ingredient in many commercial moisturizing lotions, but it's very doubtful that it will do anything to toughen up the skin. Slate.com figures that this hand-peeing fad is just another one of the many superstitions that baseball players get hooked on to try to improve their game.
Comments
Harvard Man: At Harvard we learn not to pee on our hands.
Just general, no need for specifics. Well, a little more specific than "Earth", or "Mars".
I know it's a belief around here (with the old-timers, anyway) that urinating on a cut seals it and prevents infection.
I haven't read Alex's links above yet, because it's kind of a slow night (heh heh).
I do know, however, without any looking around, that fresh urine is sterile (unless you have a bladder infection), and washing out a cut is generally a good idea. Kinda nasty when you pee on yourself, but hey, piss happens. I, myself, would prefer to leave the cut alone than pee on it.
As for toughening the skin, wouldn't it just be easier to rub your hands with sandpaper once in a while? Not to mention less smelly, esp. if you like asparagus 😊 .
And, from what I have read, peeing on your feet is supposed to help cure athlete's foot, but I've never had it, so I've never tried. And it's not like I'm gonna go asking peole if it works...
I think so; offhand, Jellyfish venom is acidic and piss is alkaline, so it balances the pH and reduces the pain.
Er, I think.... not intended on trying this out, myself....
Personally, I'm not sure whether peeing on it myself would be better or worse than having someone else do it for me.
:gulp:
http://www.susanscott.net/OceanWatch1999/mar22-99.html
All I can say is that it was damned good to see that chinook about a month ago. I hate spring.
According to "The SAS Survival Handbook"...
WARNING
URINE AND SEA WATER
Never drink either - Never! But both can produe drinking water if distilled
(Page 42)
It fails, however to give a reason for not drinking urine, but I seem to recall that it actually has to do with what you have been eating and drinking lately, and the actual level of water in your body already.
Not drinking saltwater, however should just be common sense. SHOULD. But like I say, common sense isn't.
I miss mountains. :( Though the prarie does have its own draws...
You know... I think if my pee tasted like strawberries I still wouldn't even try it. I think I just have a way big contamination reflex.
You'd have to hold me down to get me to try it.
As my dad always says, "It's better to be pissed off than pissed on. Unless you're into that."
(again offhand)
Urine contains urea, which is used to transport ammonia out of the body (urea as a compound is a bit less poisonous than ammonia) in particular, plus other waster stuff. So drinking it would simply be retaking all the toxins that urinating is suppossed to remove.
I don't know the normal pH of human urine, but I'd guess it's on the acidic side (dogs/cats are usually slightly acidic, cows more basic). Couldn't you just use lemon juice???
😕
YUCK!
:lol:
No citrus fruits were harmed in the posting of this comment...
Uh, no, urine is normally acidic (unless you have a bladder infection or kidney disorder), which is what accounts for any disinfectant properties it has. I don't know the pH of jellyfish venom.
However, I understand the preferred treatment for jellyfish or coral stings is to soak the affected part in very warm water (as hot as you can get it without scalding the skin or causing pain). The heat breaks down the organic toxin that causes the irritation.
I'm not about to try this for myself. If you want to give it a whiz, let me know how it works.
Come to think of it, babies pee on themselves all the time, and most of them have pretty soft skin. ...
Butts are usually damp feeling, unless their diapers have been off for a while. I tried this last night to keep baby girl from getting diaper rash. She peed on the carpet & then splashed in it. I really think it's time to potty train. She can splash in there all she wants.