Adventures in Sunscreens

Do you have trouble finding a sunscreen?

Do you or your children break out from them?

I have had this problem with my boys.

Mommy passed on her very sensitive Irish skin so I have trouble finding lotions

 that don't make them break out in a eczema rash.

Which makes finding sunscreens  tricky.

 

I want a sunscreen that is as natural, nontoxic and won't irritate their fair skin, plus it needs to work!

Our skin is one of our largest organs and it does absorb what you put on it so I don't want lotions or sunscreens that have toxic chemicals going on it, especially for my kids.

 

Last year we used California baby and it worked for us.

This year the new bottle made both of them break out in an eczema rash.

(Not sure if they changed the formula.)

 

Back to the drawing board!!!

 

After a lot of research and reading tons of reviews I ordered two sunscreens to test out.
They both have a rating of 1 on the EWGs website.

They both worked, but one I like better than the other.

 

First one is the Honest Company Sunscreen.

It was great on their sensitive skin- no irritation,

but it was difficult to rub it and then they were very sticky even hours later.

 

The second one I liked a lot. It was Badger brand sunscreen. I bought the baby formula.

This stuff worked great, no irritation, smells great and rubs in easily and leaves no sticky residue.

Also no toxic chemicals- its all natural.

So if you are in the market for a new sunscreen I suggest you give it a try.



Dust Allergy

 

My son and I both suffer from dust allergies.

When you think of allergy symptoms you think the typical runny or stuffy nose,

itchy, watery eyes and sneezing that may occur when doing common household chores such dusting and vacuuming. But this can also trigger asthma and breathing issues.

I have some simple things to do to reduce the dust and lessen allergic symptoms.

 

First, if you think you are really allergic to dust seek out a board certified allergist-immunologist to make sure that is what you are allergic to.

 

Stage 1-

Basic things to try that are easy and cost little to no money.

 



1. Dust from the top to the bottom. Dust will fall so start at the top and work your way down.

Ceiling fans and light fixtures first then move down. Finish with vacuuming the floor.

 

2. Try not to DRY dust as much as possible. What is dry dusting you ask? Using a dry rag just kicks the dust back up into the air to fall back down. Try using a wet rag or I mist furniture with my trusty basic H and then wipe down.

 

3. If dusting bothers you try wearing a dust mask or have someone else dust for you. Trade duties like have your husband dust and you clean the bathrooms. If your child has a dust allergy make sure they are out of the room when dusting.

 

4. Dust weekly- especially the bedroom of the person with the dust allergy.

 

5.When dusting is completed, but before I vacuum I strip the bedding and bring it into the laundry to wash it. Then I return to vacuum.

 

5. Launder bedding on HOT once a week. I do sheets and blankets and stuffed animals once a week and I do comforters/quilts every two weeks. The weeks that they don't get washed I put them in the dryer for an hour on the HOTTEST setting. This kills the dust mites which are the major cause of dust allergies.

 

6. Take down all curtains and wash them every season- so that is four times a year. This is especially important in the bedroom of the allergic person.

 

7. Keep pets out of the bedrooms. You might say, but my kid is not allergic to our pet- but their coat can carry other allergens from other areas like outdoors in.

 

Stage 2-

Things that cost a little more money.

1. Buy mattress and pillow encasements- I recommend purchasing organic cotton. Don't want to replace mites with chemicals. These trap the mites in your mattress with in the encasement so there is less allergic reaction. Remove once a year and wash. (try the pillow encasements first if the mattress one is too expensive)

 

2. Try removing all curtains and replace with wood or vinyl blinds or wood shutters. Something that can be easily wiped down and won't harbor dust like cloth.

4. Purchase a heap filter vacuum.

 

Stage 3-

Things that cost  a lot of money.

1. Remove carpet and replace with hard wood, vinyl or laminate floors. Use throw rugs that can be washed if you still need that carpety-feel.

 

2. Purchase a new mattress and immediately cover it with a mattress encasement.

 

3. Purchase an air purifier.

Allergy Buyers Club is a great resource for Hepa vacuums, air purifiers and mattress encasements.
They have ratings and reviews. Even if you choose not to purchase from them, its a good place to do your research and then shop around for best prices. They even answer any questions online.



For a natural way to help with any allergy try Shaklee's Alfalfa Complex.





Mosquitoes Really BITE!!

My six year old suffers from a mosquito bite allergy... I think.

Every year we end up in the doctors office (usually twice a year) because it gets red, swollen and hot.

Then we end up on an antibiotic or they send us home to wait a few more days and  try

Benadryl and cortisone cream and then we end up back at the doctors office and

 then we get the antibiotic because cellulitis is starting to happen.

Does this sound like you or your child???

 

 The immediate reaction to an insect bite usually occurs within 10 to15 minutes after the incident, with local swelling and itching, which may disappear in an hour or less. A delayed reaction may appear in 12 to 24 hours with the development of an itchy red bump, which may persist for days.

Large local reactions to mosquito bites are very common in children and toddlers seem to have a reaction within minutes to the bite.

Here is what I have learned after numerous mosquito bite issues over the years with him.

 

PREVENTION IS KEY

1. Try to stay indoors around dawn and dusk.

2. Wear long sleeves and pants in light colors even a hat if you must be out at those times.

3. Try a insect repellent spray.

4. Use citronella candles when having fun outdoors.

5. Try a yard spray to knock-down and repel mosquitoes like this all-natural garlic spray.

(have not tried it yet, but I am intrigued)

6. Fix any holes in your screens and make sure your screen door closes quickly.

7. Do not wear perfume when outdoors.

8. Eliminate any standing water in your area if possible.

 

 

TREATMENT

Once bitten here is my regime for combating the reaction.

1. See if you can find the pesky culprit and kill it before it can strike again.

2. Wash area gently with hand soap. DO NOT RUB AREA. pat dry.

3. Apply a cold compress or ice pack for swelling (as often as needed)

4. Apply Topricin for Children to bite three to four times daily or as needed.

5. Circle area with a pen to outline any redness, swelling, or heat and watch it to make sure it is not getting bigger, redder or hotter. Call doctor if it does not start looking better within two days from bite you may be getting cellulitis. Also watch out for any fever, vomiting, headaches which might be a symptom of disease mosquitoes spread.

6. Try an oatmeal bath.

 

 

Once I found Topricin, things really started to change for us in the war on mosquito bites.

This is why I like Topricin:

 

Topricin® Junior Ingredients:HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES (HPUS)... PURPOSE
Aesculus hippocastanum 6X... Relieves pain in the lower back, hip and spine
Arnica montana 6X..................Treats pain of impact, falling injuries and contusion to muscles and joints
Belladonna 6X.........................Treats muscle spasms, night leg cramps
Bellis perennis 6X................... Excellent for bruises, muscle soreness and sprains
Calendula officinalis 4X.............Promotes rapid healing of the skin
Crotalus horridus 8X................ Relief of impact injuries and deep muscle bruising
Echinacea 6X.......................... Relieves sharp stitching pain in joints and muscles
Graphites 6X........................... For skin conditions
Hypericum perforatum 6X......... Excellent for nerve pain and impact injuries to fingertips, toes and tail bone
Lachesis mutus 8X...................Relief of sciatic pain, and carpal tunnel
Naja tripudians 8X....................Relieves nerve injury pain
Rhus toxicodendron 12X...........Pain relief for muscle cramping, joint and post-surgical pain
Ruta graveolens 6X................. Relief of injuries to the knee, shin and elbow
Sulfur 8X................................. Relieves itching, stinging and irritations of the skin

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Purified water, Highly refined vegetable oils, Glycerin, Medium Chain Triglyceride

 

 

We had our first mosquito bite of the season this week.

The culprit got him inside the house through his pajamas, or under them?

I immediately washed the two bites, and applied the topricin and by the second day of applying it 4 times a day the bites were almost gone. Usually be day two we are either on our way  to the doctors.
I am completely in LOVE with this product, finally a safe weapon in the war on mosquito bites!!!

Please note- I am not a doctor. This is just what I have found works for me and I am sharing in the hopes it will help someone else. Please consult your doctor if you have any medical questions about mosquito bites, your bite has become hot and swollen and or their is red streaking around the bite.