WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Blue Star Ointment Vs. Gold Bond

Blue Star Ointment Vs. Gold Bond

By Charla Young

(LOUISVILLE, March 2rd, 2004) -- There are a variety of creams and ointments available that claim to offer relief from aches and pains. WAVE 3 Troubleshooter Charla Young buys and tries products from two well-known names: Blue Star ointment and Gold Bond medicated cream and wipes.

To help us put the products to the test, we got a little help from 93-year-old Elaine Carlisle, who doesn't believe in acting her age. "I don't wanna advertise how old I am," she says. "I try not to act like I'm up that old."

Elaine says she's no stranger to aches and pains, and it took us awhile to get her away from her usual remedies. "If you have a sore spot, you just rub on it and rub on it and then you just burp," she explains. "That's an awful thing to say on the TV, but it makes 'em go away."

But she admits that doesn't work every time. She still has pain in her right hand sometimes. "When I used the cane too long on this right hand, it messed up the bone and I have a little trouble there. I guess you call it arthritis, isn't it?"

Miss Elaine tried both Blue Star Ointment and Gold Bond medication -- the cream, powder and the new wipes, and said she had seen the products advertised on television.  

First, Miss Elaine tried the Blue Star ointment, a product that's supposed to take away pain and itching. After rubbing it on her right hand, she said "this is real firm. It isn't real ooksie."

Miss Elaine says she could feel it working immediately. "It just loosened it up, 'cause it was kinda tight."

Next, she tried the Gold Bond products on both hands. At one point she described the cream as "kind of soupy here....The Blue Star might go deeper."

Although she says both products worked fine, Miss Elaine liked the Blue Star ointment a lot better, and says she'll recommend it to all her friends.

The Blue Star ointment and Gold Bond medicated cream can both be found at any store for about $5. The wipes are the same price.

Online Reporter: Charla Young

Online Producer: Michael Dever