The internet has become a valuable resource for medical information for patients. There are several reputable web sites managed by doctors and other medical specialists, such as Webmd, that provide patients with free access to information about a wide variety of medical conditions. The internet can unfortunately also be a source of potentially harmful misinformation and scams. A recent fad on the internet advocates sleeping with a cut slice of onion in your sock at night. The supposed benefit of this activity is detoxification of the body and purification of the blood. This is an extension of the scientifically disproven theory of reflexology. This theory advances the notion that certain parts of the feet are electronically connected to our internal organs, and by stimulating certain parts of the feet a wide array of medical benefits can be achieved. There are several doctors who have undertaken the task of studying the validity of these claims, and all have essentially concluded that reflexology is a hoax. A foot massage may feel good and temporarily help relieve some aches and pains, but it cannot help improve your kidney or heart function. An onion may be good on your sandwich or in your salad, but sleeping with one in your sock will probably just make your feet smell bad.
Oh, and by the way, Vicks VapoRub DOES NOT kill toenail fungus. It just makes the people at Vicks more money. It is always advisable to talk to your doctor first, before putting anything on, or inside your body.