A Facebook post published in Nigeria claims a mixture of onion, ginger, garlic and oil can stop convulsions in children.
It says: “How to treat children convulsion: Grind onion, ginger, garlic and mix with palm oil or crude oil or palm kernel oil, apply all over the body and drink a little, allow it to enter eyes.”
A convulsion or seizure happens when a person’s muscles contract uncontrollably, because a large number of the cells send out an electrical charge at the same time.
“Many different diseases and injuries can cause children to have seizures,” according to the Boston Children’s Hospital in the US. The brain condition epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system that causes seizures.
Could a simple mix of ingredients found in the kitchen stop convulsions?
“This information is false. Many children have died from all these mixtures that are not necessary,” Maxwell Anah, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Calabar in southern Nigeria, told Africa Check.
“Before they have brought the child to the hospital, the child’s condition has gotten worse. You hear them say they have been giving the child one mixture or the other at home, advised by non-medical practitioners.
“When a child is convulsing or having a seizure, position the child to lie on his or her side and loosen any tight clothes.
“If the condition gets critical, take the child to the hospital. Convulsions rarely kill, if they’re treated at a hospital.
“We do more harm by giving children all sorts of mixtures.” – Jennifer Ojugbeli
It says: “How to treat children convulsion: Grind onion, ginger, garlic and mix with palm oil or crude oil or palm kernel oil, apply all over the body and drink a little, allow it to enter eyes.”
A convulsion or seizure happens when a person’s muscles contract uncontrollably, because a large number of the cells send out an electrical charge at the same time.
“Many different diseases and injuries can cause children to have seizures,” according to the Boston Children’s Hospital in the US. The brain condition epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system that causes seizures.
Could a simple mix of ingredients found in the kitchen stop convulsions?
‘Many children have died’ from false information
“This information is false. Many children have died from all these mixtures that are not necessary,” Maxwell Anah, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Calabar in southern Nigeria, told Africa Check.
“Before they have brought the child to the hospital, the child’s condition has gotten worse. You hear them say they have been giving the child one mixture or the other at home, advised by non-medical practitioners.
“When a child is convulsing or having a seizure, position the child to lie on his or her side and loosen any tight clothes.
“If the condition gets critical, take the child to the hospital. Convulsions rarely kill, if they’re treated at a hospital.
“We do more harm by giving children all sorts of mixtures.” – Jennifer Ojugbeli
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