self-treatment
noun
self-treat·ment
ˌself-ˈtrēt-mənt 
plural self-treatments
: the act or an instance of medicating oneself or treating one's own disease without medical supervision or intervention
Unlike other foot problems, bunions are not amenable to self-treatment.—
Consumer Reports
Consumer ReportsSome attempt risky self-treatments, such as bathing in kerosene or bleach …—Aimee Cunningham
Aimee Cunningham
self-treat
transitive verb
self-treated; self-treating; self-treats
self-treat athlete's foot
Examples of self-treatment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, social media has accelerated both awareness and misinformation around the lymphatic system, particularly as wellness influencers increasingly promote drainage techniques, self-treatment practices, and sweeping health claims that may outpace the science.
—Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Some psychedelic medications hold great promise, but people should be wary of self-treatment.
—Leana Wen, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Much ink has been spilled over US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s dalliances with anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, brain worms, nicotine pouches, and bizarre self-treatment with a synthetic dye known as methylene blue.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Jan. 2026
The fear of legal consequences discourages users from seeking medical help, pushing them towards risk self-treatment.
—New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2025
That may mean multiple visits with a practitioner or consistent self-treatment.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 July 2025
While patients do sometimes give away or sell extra pills, research consistently shows that illegally obtained pills are most commonly used for self-treatment – to control withdrawal and help quit opioids when treatment is unavailable.
—Lucinda Grande, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
The study also revealed important information for snake bite victims everywhere: most victims wait too long to seek treatment, and too many try outdated methods for self-treatment.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The increase in chronic diseases and health problems in our society often entails the need for home care or self-treatment at home.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2023
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Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Some psychedelic medications hold great promise, but people should be wary of self-treatment.
—Leana Wen, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Much ink has been spilled over US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s dalliances with anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, brain worms, nicotine pouches, and bizarre self-treatment with a synthetic dye known as methylene blue.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Jan. 2026
The fear of legal consequences discourages users from seeking medical help, pushing them towards risk self-treatment.
—New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2025
That may mean multiple visits with a practitioner or consistent self-treatment.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 July 2025
While patients do sometimes give away or sell extra pills, research consistently shows that illegally obtained pills are most commonly used for self-treatment – to control withdrawal and help quit opioids when treatment is unavailable.
—Lucinda Grande, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
The study also revealed important information for snake bite victims everywhere: most victims wait too long to seek treatment, and too many try outdated methods for self-treatment.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The increase in chronic diseases and health problems in our society often entails the need for home care or self-treatment at home.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Self-treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-treatment. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
self-treatment
noun
self-treat·ment
ˈself-ˈtrēt-mənt
: the act or an instance of medicating oneself or treating one's own disease without medical supervision or intervention
Unlike other foot problems, bunions are not amenable to self-treatment.—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
self-treat
transitive verb
self-treated; self-treating
self-treat poison ivy
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