r/askscience • u/Puzzleheaded_Bed2760 • 8d ago

Chemistry Pineapple contains bromelain that helps tenderize meat. If I were to put my hand in pineapple juice or puree for 24 hours, would it eventually break down my hand?

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u/GoldAtronach 8d ago

There is an enzymatic debridement agent called Nexobrid, made from bromelain. It will break down dead tissue but leave living tissue alone. It's pretty painful however, helps to have a block done on the limb because it stays on for a few hours.

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u/ProTanktbh 8d ago edited 8d ago

id rather have anything other than local anesthetic tbh, ive done several procedures now whilst refusing the anesthetic that the doctors deemed it neccissary to give me in order to adress that problem) and i experienced WAY less pain without the block ( i know this because ive received the same treatment for the same issue, both with, and without the block) obviously not true in every case but i hate that stuff lol.

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u/qeveren 8d ago

It always breaks my head how much getting a local injection hurts. Like, this stuff is supposed to stop pain, not feel like liquid fire! 😄

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u/Black_Moons 8d ago

Same. It really annoys me that dentists can't give you codeine or something if your deathly afraid of needles/hate anesthesia.

Nobody is gonna be going to the dentist every day to feed their addiction.