Apr

12

Treating & Preventing Head Lice Naturally

Filed Under Health & Medicine, Product Safety, Skin Care | 7 Comments

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    I got that dreaded note home from school. “There has been a confirmed case of lice in your child’s school.“  Lice! Eeek! I’ve not had any personal experiences with it yet and hope I never do but I wanted to look into it so that if it does happen, I’d have a plan of attack and not be stuck at the drugstore buying a toxic chemical potion.  Which is what happened to my dear friend Sommer when she was on vacation!  Her story is not an unfamiliar one and reading her personal experience with it, I just shook my head in agreement because I probably would have done the same thing given the circumstances.  The note goes on to outline all the toxic pesticides you can marinate your child’s head in and I would rather avoid it at all costs.

    Unfortunately, when you do go to a drugstore the options available to us are sometimes not so vast. A quick glance at the selection of cures in the grocery store left 2 options, one a common brand called Nix.  Sommer did a great job at highlighting some of the natural brands and services available to treat lice such as Lice Happens, which is a service you can contact that will help you deal with and rid your life of a lice infestation.  They carry their own natural products as well.

    But I wanted to also provide some tips I found comforting and a few other ideas that I thought might be comforting to someone dealing with an infestation or like me, it has occurred to a child in your school and you want to be prepared.  So here we go.

    Prevention

    Preventing lice is not really a 100% fool proof practice.  It happens and it’s not life threatening (there are worse things!) but very inconvenient.  I don’t know one person who wouldn’t take a few precautions if it’s possible to skirt a lice infestation. There are a few products that swear they are effective in deterring lice.  One is a product line I am familiar with and love and that is Babo Botanicals Lice Repel Shampoo and Conditioning Spray. Babo Botanicals had their product tested and it was deemed 95% effective in repelling lice.

    Happy Heads  has an array of Lice Prevention products and systems including their Scootie-Cootie Organic Repelling Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler. They’re infused with 100% pure essential oils and are sulfate & paraben free. Safe for use daily!

    Lice Happens also has a Lice Repellent Spray which is free from pesticides. It’s safe to use daily and their special mint formula  repels head lice. You can use it daily on kids who may be exposed to head lice at school, camp, playgrounds, sleepovers, or wherever kids play together. Those play places that have dress up always give me the heebs.

    Washington Toxics Coalition offers some great advice that doesn’t require chemical intervention. Here are some highlights:

    • Encourage your child not to share headphones, headrests, hats, hair ribbons, barrettes, scarves, bicycle helmets, brushes or combs.
    • Talk with your child’s teachers about storing coats in cubbies rather than hanging them on hooks where they can come in close contact with each other.

    Preparation & Treatments

    Having a few tools and products on hand in the event of lice can be a saving grace.  You can’t control every situation… you may be on vacation and without a choice, or visiting relatives and don’t have your supplies.  But if it strikes while you’re home you at least have the tools necessary to start treating the problem right away and naturally without having to resort to the selection at CVS.  That works too but if you’d rather not use a chemical pesticide on your kids head, then here’s a few things you may want to have available:

    Lice/Nit Comb.  Apparently many kits come with one but the “good” ones are ideal because they are made with stainless steel and are more effective in removing lice and nits.  One of the most popular ones is called Nit Free Terminator, which you can also find at Babo Botanicals for $12. It seems steep for a lice comb but I’ve heard from other mothers who have dealt with lice that having a good comb makes a huge difference in removing and ending the nightmare. I’d say having on in your house for a just in case situation is warranted. Another one which is considered the “Gold Standard”  by HeadLice.org is the LiceMeister.  I’ve also seen the Robi Comb (thank you Green and Clean Mom for pointing that one out) an that looks like a good thing to have around. Though some have suggested that it’s not effective in finding and removing the eggs.

    Topical Lice Treatments. Here’s where it gets tricky.  Since any immediate solution is going to fall in the drugstore category, you’re left with few non-toxic options.  Most non-toxic solutions need to be ordered online and waiting for a delivery while lice is running rampant in your home sounds horrific.  So having something around “just in case” can save you. Here is a list of brands that are free of toxic pesticides and use natural ingredients to treat and remove lice:

    I don’t recommend trying other suggested natural remedies that I’ve seen circulating in the past, and advise that a pesticide free product specifically made to remove and kill lice and nits is the best way to go.  According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “Studies have shown lice can survive in hair covered with olive oil, mayonnaise and even petroleum jelly–even when it is left on the hair overnight.” So this isn’t always a good option.

    This mom recounts a friends experience making her own lice removal product using olive oil and essential oils.  But the bottom line is, you need a good comb.  Read about it on Clean Green Start!

    Tips For Removing Lice From Your Home

    Removing the nits from your child’s heads is the key and not treating your home.  Though follow up cleaning is advisable.  Using pesticides to spray your home is not recommended and unnecessary.

    • Diligent and daily combing to remove lice and nits is key.  This should be done twice daily for at least 12 days or more.
    • Wash clothing, towels and bedding in hot water and tumble-dry on high heat for 30 minutes.
    • Soak brushes and combs in hot water above 130° F for 30 minutes or or soak combs and brushes in rubbing alcohol for an hour.
    • Vacuum floors, furniture and bedding your child may have had contact with. After vacuuming, remove the bag, seal the openings and dispose of it properly.
    • Bag up items that can’t be laundered (like stuffed toys) for 2 weeks.

    Resources

    Oct

    21

    H1N1 Vaccine: Get It or Don’t Get It?

    Filed Under Health & Medicine | Comments Off

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      vaccine1It’s been quiet here, I know.  Having a new baby in the house has really tested my organizational skills and I am failing miserably! I have tons of stuff to write about on SafeMama.com and very little time to actually do it!  To get the ball rolling in the right direction I wanted to post about H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccines.

      I have gotten several emails from readers asking me what to do.  Here again is one of those gray areas that I feel its inappropriate for me to present my opinion as what you should do.  Choosing to vaccine your children is something you have to decide for yourself with your Pediatrician.  However I will tell you how I feel about the situation and give you a few things to consider before you decide.

      First, I am hearing a lot of mixed opinions from pediatricians whether getting the H1N1 vaccine is a good idea…. both ends of the spectrum are being represented so it’s difficult for us as parents to know who to trust.  Whether your pediatrician is pro or anti vaccine I think it’s imperative that your pediatrician be supportive and offer you alternatives and guidance rather than pushing you with fear.  If you pediatrician makes you feel like a bad parent or uses fear tactics rather than consideration in helping you decide, I’d recommend getting another opinion, or another pediatrician.  I think it’s so crucial to work with doctors who guide you rather than push you.  It’s OK to be concerned! That’s what parents do… question, worry and wonder what the right thing to do is – even if we never really figure it out.  And your pediatrician should help you with those instincts.

      Second, many parents are concerned given the immaturity of the vaccine, saying it’s been “rushed onto the market” and fear it may do more harm than good.  It’s a valid concern (or is it?) and one I am seeing a lot from fellow parents.  On the other hand, many Doctors are urging patients to get the vaccine as adamantly as they push for seasonal flu vaccines.   It’s tough to sift through all the conflicting information.  The CDC recommends that pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged over 6 months, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults aged 6 months–24 years, and persons aged 25–64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications get the H1N1 vaccine.  It seems young people, kids and pregnant women are most at risk with this particular strain of flu.

      Edit to Add: A friend directed me to a great article from the New York Times that handles basic Q & A about the vaccine which takes some of the “scary” out of it.  Read the NY Times Flu Vaccine Primer.

      For those concerned with the possible thimerosal content there are options that are thimerosal free.  Single dose vaccines and the nasal doses (LAIV) do not contain thimerosal according to the CDC.  Multi-dose vials distributed do contain thimerosal to prevent the growth of bacteria in opened vials of the vaccine.

      Personally, I am as concerned about it as you and still haven’t decided one way or the other.  I am leaning in the direction of “wait and see” despite the fact that I did have my son get a nasal seasonal flu vaccine earlier this year.

      Whether you decide to get the vaccine or not it’s good to follow the basic rules to thwart off flu and colds:

      Hand Washing. You keep hearing it but it’s really the best protection.  I make a habit of washing my hands, and my kids hands, with soap and water the minute I walk in the door and whenever soap and water are available.  I carry a safe hand sanitizer with me for when we can’t get to a sink.

      Hands Off. In between washings, try your best to avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes).

      Ahchoo! Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

      Stay Away! Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

      If you DO get sick:

      • Call your Doctor!
      • If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
      • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
      • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to keep our distance from each other to lessen the spread of flu.

      In the meantime, stay healthy, eat right, take care of yourselves and wash those hands.

      Jan

      16

      Vicks VapoRub Unsafe for the under two crowd

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        vicksThere’s been a warning issued this week,  to parents who are using Vicks VapoRub on children under the age of two.

        The popular cold remedy Vicks VapoRub may cause airway inflammation that can restrict breathing in infants and toddlers, a new study says.

        Doctors at Wake Forest University started their study after treating an 18-month-old girl who had developed severe respiratory distress after the salve had been put directly under her nose to relieve cold symptoms.

        This is another classic case of someone not properly reading the labels of medicines before administering them to children.   Vicks VapoRub is clearly labeled for ages two and above.   And there’s a reason that even children’s medicines are meant for children over the age of two.

        Over the counter medications can be extremely dangerous to babies and even toddlers and young children.   For one, their systems are not fully developed and are not able to handle medication the way older children and adults can.   Another problem is user error.   Giving the proper dosage to the right age can even sometimes be confusing.    Trying to halve a dosage for a younger child is just asking for trouble.  So what do you do if your child is sick and in need of medication?

        • Always read labels carefully before administering medications.  If you have any questions call your pediatrician.
        • Never administer any medication that is not of appropriate age for them, unless your pediatrician gives you the OK.  Always verify the dose with the doctor and make sure you follow their directions properly.   Most pediatricians won’t OK medications for children under two anyway.
        • Don’t use swap prescriptions.  Don’t give your baby or toddler a leftover prescription that’s meant for your older child.
        • Always be sure to double check the expiration date.   Giving you or your child expired drugs could also be dangerous.
        • If administering homeopathic medications, always disclose all remedies to your pediatrician, so that they know that you are giving them something.   Homeopathic remedies are considered safe, but you still have to be careful when giving them to younger children.   Especially babies.

        When it comes to medicine, use common sense.   Even if your friend or your mother used a medication, and had no problems, doesn’t mean that it’s OK.  New studies are released and times change.   Don’t just take matters into your own hands,  call the doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

        There are also alternative remedies out there if your baby is congested.   We’ve used Nature’s Baby Organics Ah-Choo Chest Rub with great results.  That said, I wouldn’t recommend this for children under the age of one.   A humidifier should help with some of the congestion for smaller babies.   As well as saline drops (provided your pediatrician says it’s OK first).

        Dec

        5

        Taking the Homeopathic route for cold and flu season.

        Filed Under Health & Medicine | Comments Off

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          With cold and flu season upon us, parents are probably wondering what they can do for their children now that it’s practically illegal to give them over the counter cold medicine.

          Over the counter cold medicines carry a bevy of side effects and dangers to young childen under two, and new studies show that even younger ages over two may not be safe.  I hate having a cold and am miserable when I don’t have the tools to medicate myself.  I can’t imagine being a baby or toddler and feeling like that.  So I sought out to seek an alternative.  I came across a couple of  products that are safe for younger babies, but work just as well for children alike.

          Hylands C-Plus Cold Tablets – This is by far my favorite product.  I’m a huge fan of all Hylands products.  They’re effective and safe.  This one is no exception.   This is great for relieving congestion and the river of snot that seem to leak out of toddler noses.  I try to keep the nose wiping to a minimum, especially in the winter when your face tends to get more chapped from the cold dry air.  I was skeptical of this product at first, but I swear by it now and have a few bottles to keep at home and to take for travel.  It definitely helps keep the nose dribble congestion at bay so that my son can continue to feel more like himself, which is to say, very busy and active.  And the best part is that there’s no drowsy medicine head side effect.

          Hylands Cough Syrup with Honey – Remember those Luden’s Honey Lemon cough drops your parents used to give you as kids?  They were more like candy, than cough drops, but there’s a reason why honey lemon is such a popular cough drop flavor, because a spoonful of honey and lemon actually does ease coughing.  You can easily make your own remedy of honey lemon cough syrup, but this is another thing that I keep on hand for travelling.   Because this contains honey, we advise that you should avoid giving this to children under the age of one year.

          These two remedies have definitely helped get my son through some nasty colds with no ill side effects, which makes feel good knowing that I can help ease his discomfort without the use of chemicals.

          There are other things you can do to help with cold and flu season:

          • Keep a humidifier on hand.  Warm or cool mist, depending on the time of year.  I prefer warm mist, which seems to be more effective (and is great during the winter months).  You can add a little bit of Eucalyptus oil to the water for a vaporizing effect.
          • Shea butter for dry chapped skin.   Even when my son is well, I keep a shea butter based balm on his night stand (I love love LOVE Mambino Organics Oh Baby! Belly Butter for this.  It works well for itchy pregnant bellies, but it’s also great for chapped skin, especially noses and other tough areas like knuckles.  My son loves it because it smells great, so there’s no fight over putting it on his face and it helps heal almost instantly).  The shea butter has great healing properties and is more of a balm than a lotion, so there’s minimal mess.
          • Wash hands as frequently as you can with warm water and soap.  I’m not a parent that worries too much about germs.  But during cold season, I keep a naturally derived antibacterial with me, as we tend to frequent indoor places, like our local YMCA and Gymboree, which harbor germs and coughing kids.     When you’re out and about, even baby wipes are better in a pinch than nothing at all.  Steer clear of harsh antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers.  They kill germs, but they also make germs more resistant to being killed.   Some good natural alternatives are Clean George or CleanWell.

          Have a tip that will help make cold and flu season easier?  Contact us.

          Nov

          17

          Food Allergy Resource Round-Up

          Filed Under allergies, Health & Medicine, Safe Mama Tips | Comments Off

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            First, let me say that I am so not a doctor and that you should always check with your child’s pediatrician or allergist for accurate information about your child’s specific allergy.  Websites can be great resources, but they are no substitution for a doctor’s advice.  If you think your child has a food allergy, bring your child to doctor who specializes in allergies–there are skin and blood tests that can confirm an allergy and its severity.

            Also, there is a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance.  People with a food intolerance (the most familiar example is a lactose intolerance) can usually have small amounts of a problem food without a problem.  However, a true food allergy usually will trigger a reaction to even very small amounts of the problem food.   In my son’s case, a quarter of an ounce of milk caused hives, vomiting and some respiratory distress.  Fun times.

            Even after I had lots of answers from our allergist, I found I needed direction about specific foods my child could eat.  So I started hitting Google for recipes and products that my son could have.  This list certainly isn’t exhaustive, but if you’re just getting an allergy diagnosis, you may find some of these links helpful.

            • General Overview of Food Allergies from the Mayo Clinic.  The Mayo Clinic website also has great information on egg, milk, soy and wheat allergies if you do a search on their site.
            • Examples of Foods That Contain Eggs from the Cleveland Clinic.  This was one of the first pages I found when researching allergies months ago and it’s still one of my “go-to” pages for quick reference.  It also includes a list of egg substitutes for recipes.
            • Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network–this website does require a membership to see some areas, although many sections are “free”, and it seems to be “THE” website recommended by allergy doctors. It also has links for kids and teens, who may feel isolated or afraid because of their food allergies.
            • Food Allergy Initiative (FIA).  FIA is sort of like the jackpot of allergy information.  It has a clean, easy-to-navigate website which includes a “quick reference” for nine top allergens.  Plus, there’s info on support groups, “helpful food companies” and allergy research grants.

            I, personally, didn’t purchase any memberships to allergy websites, although I do peruse the free sites, or sections of sites often.  For me, I began to realize that instead of looking for a resource that would give me a bible of recipes I could feed my kid, what I really needed was just healthy recipes I could adjust.  I found using regular websites like Wholesome Baby Food, and the book, The Petit Appetit (which features only organic recipes and uses icons to easily show which contain allergens) worked just fine for me.  There are substitutions that can be used for virtually any allergen.

            Also, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 did improve food product labeling, so spotting problem ingredients is a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.   The good part about having a child with food allergies (why hello there, silver lining) is that it forced me to start reading labels in a way I’m not sure I would have if my son didn’t have allergies.  In turn, I started paying more attention to all ingredients, not just the allergen ones, and my son has a healthier diet because of it.  Do you remember that Breyers Ice Cream commercial from back in the 80s (I think) where they give a bunch of little kids containers of other brands of ice cream and the kids can’t pronounce the ingredients?  Then they give the kids Breyers containers and the ingredients are cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla bean?  I’ve come to use that as the standard with my son, who of course, can’t have Breyers ice cream anyway.  But the point is, if I can’t pronounce it, it doesn’t need to be in his food.

            Sep

            30

            Flu Vaccines Without Thimerosal

            Filed Under Articles, Health & Medicine | Comments Off

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              The season is upon us and if you haven’t already been affected by a cold or flu, that time is rapidly approaching.  The Center for Disease Control recommends all children aged 6 months to 18 years, elderly, health care workers and pregnant women get a flu vaccination to help control the spread of flu. Many people do get a flu shot each year either out of fear or just from a doctor recommendation.  But not everyone agrees it’s the best idea.

              Some parents believe the flu shot is abused and a waste… stating that many people still get the flu after receiving it and believe the CDC made mistakes in past years, protecting people against the wrong strains of flu.  Further, with the mounting number of vaccinations children receive to protect them from various diseases, parents are hesitant to add another shot to the pile.

              Another concern is the use of Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has come to light in recent years with regard to brain function and in some cases Autism.  However, parents now have a choice in the matter.  Some Doctors are carrying a thimerosal-free vaccine.  From the L.A. Times:

              Some vaccines are thimerosal-free or carry only trace amounts of thimerosal: one product licensed for use for children ages 6 to 35 months (Sanofi’s Fluzone single-dose pre-filled 0.25 mL syringe or vial) and three products for children ages 2 to 5 (Sanofi’s Fluzone single-dose; MedImmune’s FluMist and Novartis’ Fluvirin single-dose pre-filled 0.5 mL syringe, which is for people ages 4 and older.

              Additionally, Deborah Kotz (usnews.com) posed a concerned question regarding pregnant women and the flu vaccine.

              I’m particularly concerned about giving flu shots to pregnant women because no one has really identified the threshold dose for which thimerosal can become problematic for tiny fetuses. Certainly, the amount of mercury in a single flu shot is very small and most likely harmless. “It’s equivalent to the amount in a small can of tuna fish,” says Tom Clarkson, a mercury researcher at the University of Rochester. “Still, we know that high levels of mercury can affect cell division in the developing brain of a fetus, and no one can say with absolute certainty that there’s no risk.“

              In this scenario, if there is a mercury-free flu vaccine available it’s possible to err on the side of safety.  Whether you are on the side of full yearly vaccinations or not, you can decide what is right for you.  It’s nice to have options, isn’t it?

              Sources and Further Reading:
              Deborak Kotz:  An Option: Flu Vaccines Without Mercury-Based Thimerosal  U.S.News
              L.A. Times: Flu Shots for Kids: Do They Help? Some Parents Say No

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