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
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important information for snake bite victims everywhere: most victims wait too long to seek treatment, and too many try outdated methods for self-treatment.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
Other self-treatment methods include applying cool compresses and cooling creams that help with barrier repair and prevent further moisture from leaving the skin, Geddes-Bruce said.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 5 June 2024
Many mental health experts have serious concerns about people who are socially isolated—autistic or not—relying on AI companionship apps as a means of self-treatment or escapism.
—Webb Wright, Scientific American, 5 June 2024
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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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
Other self-treatment methods include applying cool compresses and cooling creams that help with barrier repair and prevent further moisture from leaving the skin, Geddes-Bruce said.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 5 June 2024
Many mental health experts have serious concerns about people who are socially isolated—autistic or not—relying on AI companionship apps as a means of self-treatment or escapism.
—Webb Wright, Scientific American, 5 June 2024
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 30 Oct. 2025.
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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