Fresh banana leaves can cure bedsores in 48 hours, claims a message circulating on social media.
In November 2019 it popped up on Africa Check’s Nigeria Whatsapp group, which we created with Nigerian media partners to track false information about health.
The claim has also been shared on Facebook.
Here it reads: “Just when we thought we have lost the battle, our maid suggested for us to try her kampung method of covering bedsore with a fresh banana leaf. Like a miracle, bedsore started healing within 48 hours and was gone after a week. So, if you know of anyone battling with bedsores, may we recommend them the use of fresh banana leaf.”
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are areas of broken skin that can develop in people who are unable to move for a long period of time, such as sick, elderly or paralysed people who can’t get out of bed.
“The claim is very wrong. Bedsores cannot be cured immediately. It is caused by persistent pressure on a particular area,” Dr Bolaji Mofikoya, a cosmetic surgery specialist at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, told Africa Check.
“Bedsores are like injuries which take time to heal. Its cure varies depending on the stage of injury. When a situation like this occurs, the first thing is to remove the underline pressure by moving the person. Make them face another direction. Moreover, no study has proven that fresh banana leaves can cure bedsores. I have never heard of it.” – Jennifer Ojugbeli
In November 2019 it popped up on Africa Check’s Nigeria Whatsapp group, which we created with Nigerian media partners to track false information about health.
The claim has also been shared on Facebook.
Here it reads: “Just when we thought we have lost the battle, our maid suggested for us to try her kampung method of covering bedsore with a fresh banana leaf. Like a miracle, bedsore started healing within 48 hours and was gone after a week. So, if you know of anyone battling with bedsores, may we recommend them the use of fresh banana leaf.”
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are areas of broken skin that can develop in people who are unable to move for a long period of time, such as sick, elderly or paralysed people who can’t get out of bed.
Bedsores are injuries
“The claim is very wrong. Bedsores cannot be cured immediately. It is caused by persistent pressure on a particular area,” Dr Bolaji Mofikoya, a cosmetic surgery specialist at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, told Africa Check.
“Bedsores are like injuries which take time to heal. Its cure varies depending on the stage of injury. When a situation like this occurs, the first thing is to remove the underline pressure by moving the person. Make them face another direction. Moreover, no study has proven that fresh banana leaves can cure bedsores. I have never heard of it.” – Jennifer Ojugbeli
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