Cradle Cap Treatment

Cradle Cap explained

Cradle cap is quite common in babies and can appear within three months of birth. Sometimes cradle cap is referred to as seborrheic dermatitis. There are varying degrees of cradle cap and it can vary from a rash on the head to a crusty skin condition that can sometimes spread to the ears and eyebrows.

I have had my own varying experience with my children and cradle cap. My first born had a mild case, my second born had quite a severe case that required cradle cap treatment because it spread to his eyebrows and ears, and my third born also had a mild case. I used to get a few comments from people and also opinions on what they thought was the best cradle cap treatment.

There are many theories out there as to what causes cradle cap. Treatment advice also varies and it seems there is a lot of speculation as to the cause of cradle cap without any one united opinion. Many will tell you that it is overactive sebaceous glands that cause the problem. If this is the case then I believe you need to take a good look at what baby is being fed to cause this symptom.

Food intolerance symptoms or food problems can, in my opinion, be linked to cradle cap. What your baby is getting through breast milk or formula can be causing cradle cap. For this reason, it is important that a breast feeding mother be aware of what she is eating because food colors, food preservatives and food additives can be passed to the baby. For more information on food additives, we use this book at home. Formula might also be causing problems for baby. It could also be that your baby is already suffering food intolerance symptoms and cradle cap the body’s way of indicating a reaction.

I can share with you that my second child who had severe cradle cap also suffered badly from food intolerance symptoms as a toddler so I personally believe there is a link between the two. This was less evident with my other two children. This is obviously just  my opinion but it may assist you to know this when looking at a cradle cap treatment.

Cradle cap treatment

It is true that you do not need to treat cradle cap but it can become quite unsightly and smelly. It has also been said that it does not annoy the baby. Some babies do scratch it however and I know my second child did scratch at his scalp regularly.

There are many lotions and potions on offer as a cradle cap treatment. If you search the internet you will find that there are also many opinions on cradle cap treatment. If you are going to look at a lotion to put on your baby’s head as a cradle cap treatment then I recommend you take a good look at the ingredients. I tried a Jurlique product as a cradle cap treatment and found it made my baby’s head very red and irritated and we needed to discontinue use. The good thing was that they did take the product back with a smile.

What I found worked as a cradle cap treatment was a combination of cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil and bi-carbonate of soda. I used about 2 tablespoons of the oil and 2 teaspoons of the bicarb. Mix it together, put it on your baby’s head. Leave it there for 15 minutes and remove promptly. You will need to remove it gently using circular motions with your fingers, otherwise the bi-carb will cause a rubbing rash. If this cradle cap treatment is applied daily, you should see an improvement over time. Don’t force the crusts off; just let them come away gently as you remove the oil and bi-carb mix.

If you are not keen to use the bicarbonate with the Bragg’s Olive Oil Og Extra Virgin 16oz as a cradle cap treatment then you can just use the Bragg’s Olive Oil Og Extra Virgin 16oz on its own. Put some on the scalp of your baby, not too much so that it seeps off the scalp as it might get in baby’s eyes, and leave it on overnight.  Then gently rub with your fingertips and remove some of the cradle cap; without force or picking it off. This will probably require more than one treatment but it should work wonders as it loosens the crust. Keep in mind that not all oils are created equally and that is why I have recommended a good quality olive oil for your cradle cap treatment.

I did find that the cradle cap subsided over time. If left untreated, it may still remain on the scalp for some years. I found that my daughter had remnants of her mild case of cradle cap up to the age of five. This was less of an issue with my youngest child and signs of cradle cap had disappeared by the age of two. My other child who suffered from food intolerance symptoms did require cradle cap treatment and even so, the condition had disappeared by the age of about four.

My recommendation for cradle cap treatment, aside from the oil is to look at what baby is getting through the milk or formula. This may require a breast feeding mother to conduct a food elimination diet or just remove certain things from her diet to see what impact that has.

From my experience with cradle cap treatment I can honestly say that the olive oil is the best and safest way for baby. Try it and see!

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.

Chronic Headaches

Chronic Headaches – the causes

There are various reasons for chronic headaches and it might surprise you to know that something as simple as an orange pictured here could cause chronic headaches for some people. I used to work with a guy that would suffer from headaches if he almost so much as sniffed anything citrus.

It has been stated that even babies and toddlers can experience chronic headaches but they are unable to express it in words. Some people may not suffer from chronic headaches with enough regularity to consider it a problem and hence, don’t take steps to improve their health. Instead, they tolerate their chronic headaches when they occur.

Chronic headaches can be the result of amines or salicylates; naturally occurring chemicals in food, dehydration, or a reaction to food colors including MSG – Mono-sodium Glutamate.  Cleaning products, including air fresheners or perfume, due to the chemical substances contained therein can also cause chronic headaches. Often, those suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems will find they are more prone to reactions.

It could also be a case that there is something more sinister going on such as a tumor or head problems. While I do believe you need a doctor to diagnose this, I also am of the strong belief that you can heal the problem through the correct foods.

There is also another reason why reactions could be exacerbated when it comes to food intolerance symptoms or health issues in general. Research into genomes indicate that what previous generations were exposed to can be passed down in the genes. For example, if you had a grandparent who worked in a chemical factory or was a smoker, then this may have caused a variation in the genes that are then passed down the generations, thereby increasing the severity of a reaction. This is fairly new research and you can read more about it by clicking on this link. I think it is fascinating.

Chronic Headaches – some solutions

You should not need to suffer from or tolerate chronic headaches even if they occur rarely. Illness is a mechanism of the body to tell you that something is not right within.

The good news for those who suffer chronic headaches due to dehydration is that you only need to drink about one litre or approx 34 Oz of water and wait half an hour. The brain is hydrated through the stomach and will be fed first, directly, to overcome the problem. There are some symptoms for chronic headaches linked to dehydration. You may start to feel sluggish, suffer from poor short term memory, you may get foggy brain or even feel dizzy. Regardless of whether your chronic headaches are linked to dehydration or not, water is an absolute must in your diet. You will be amazed at how much better you will start to feel if you incorporate more water into your diet.

According to the FDR books pictured, and my bible on food, salt helps to regulate the water content in the body along with the water you drink. Good salt like Celtic Ocean Int Flower of Ocean Celtic Sea Salt 1/2 lb helps to balance water in and out of the body’s cells. Optimally, you should drink 1 liter of water for every 22 kilograms of body weight.

To assist with symptoms of chronic headaches, you can use some pure peppermint essential oils such as Nature’s Alchemy’s Essential Oil Peppermint Pure 2oz but you need to be careful to keep it away from your eyes. Put one to two drops on your hands, go outside in the fresh air, cup your hands over your mouth and nose and take a couple of deep breaths. Put one drop behind each ear.

For those of you that think your chronic headaches could be a result of food intolerance symptoms then you need to conduct a food elimination diet to work out if naturally occurring chemicals are a problem.   Remove any food colors, food additives, including preservatives from your diet and look at environmental sensitivities. You can read the review of Friendly Food cookbook and purchase your own copy of Friendly Food for your food elimination diet. You should also consider purchasing The Failsafe Cookbook for your food elimination diet. Both books will assist you in the management of food intolerance symptoms and understanding of naturally occurring chemicals in foods; such as amines, salicylates and MSG.

For temporary relief, you can always have a good quality cup of coffee from freshly ground organic, fair trade beans. Caffeine tends to restrict the blood vessels and reduce the severity of chronic headaches. This should be viewed as a short term fix while you address chronic headaches on a deeper level.

Use cold pressed, virgin olive oil on the soles of the feet and the scalp and massage in. A shoulder / upper back massage can also help. Then take a nice warm shower.

One last recommendation is to start some healing meditation. Through my own experience I can say that drinking heaps of water and taking time out for some healing meditation will do you wonders. You will be healing your body with the water, lying down will put you in healing position, with your eyes closed and having the healing meditation will clear your mind.

The important thing is to recognize that your body is telling you through chronic headaches, that something needs fixing. Listen to your body, follow through with a solution and you will no longer need to suffer from chronic headaches.

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.

Chocolate Easter Eggs

It is not hard to get a person’s attention when you talk about chocolate Easter eggs. I thought it fitting that I talk about Chocolate Easter Eggs given that we are only one week away from Easter as I write this post. I’m amazed at just how many chocolate Easter eggs my children bring home when they break up for the holidays. Not only that, I actually dread it because I know that commercial chocolate will play havoc over the break. Aside from what is generously given out at school and kinder, we still have chocolate Easter eggs from family, Easter bunny and / or Easter Bilby. So, by now, we have enough chocolate Easter eggs to start up our own shop. Hah! I should add a shopping cart to this post and save my children from the depths of the evil chocolate Easter eggs.

Chocolate Easter Eggs – what is really in them

Chocolate Easter eggs come in all shapes, sizes and quality. The problem is usually in the quality of chocolate used and this can vary greatly from brand to brand. On the whole, commercial chocolate doesn’t have a lot of substance to it. In fact, it can have a nasty impact on children’s behavior. If you were to look at the main ingredient used in chocolate, in most cases you will see that the number one ingredient is processed sugar. Other ingredients include milk, cocoa butter, milk solids, lecithin,  flavors and other ingredients depending on the brand and type of chocolate. In some cases they even add food colors to the detriment of the consumer and particularly children.

For the chocolate connoisseur, there is a difference in taste between chocolate Easter eggs and in some cases the price tag fits the quality. As a consumer of chocolate Easter eggs or a parent, you should be concerned about what you are eating or what you are putting in your children’s mouths.

Of course, it is not all bad when it comes to chocolate. Easter eggs are something you can make yourself using organic ingredients. These are readily available to you through the banner below. You can choose to eat raw chocolate which is an experience on its own. The anti-oxidant content of raw chocolate surpasses anything you can buy in commercial chocolate Easter eggs. Raw chocolate is actually good for you and has some fantastic health benefits as opposed to commercially produced chocolate Easter eggs.

Chocolate Easter Eggs – health and children’s behavior

The sugar content alone should be enough to make you think twice about the amount of chocolate Easter eggs you and your family consume. If that isn’t bad enough, those who suffer from food intolerance symptoms will most likely react to the amine content in chocolate Easter eggs. Amines are a naturally occurring chemical in food, as are salicylates. Those who do suffer from food intolerance symptoms also have a greater chance of reacting to the food colors or additives, including preservatives added to some chocolate Easter eggs.

Additionally, you or your family may find yourself cranky, more aggressive than usual or tired / lethargic after eating chocolate Easter eggs. Oppositional defiance is not an uncommon food intolerance symptom for those who are amine responders. So, you may find the family bickering at Easter time or over the break and if you choose to eat chocolate Easter eggs that are not so good for you then you can expect that reaction.

Chocolate Easter Eggs – make your own

Making your own Chocolate Easter eggs can be fun and you are also aware of the ingredients you are using. If your children are old enough, they will also really enjoy being involved with making their very own chocolate Easter eggs. I’ve included some links below so you can get started.

I hope that you will give some thought to chocolate Easter Eggs before you either purchase your own to share or make your own. Eating good quality chocolate Easter eggs can make for a calmer, happier family at this time of year. Not only is it better for your body but your children will get along better over this holiday period. A happy Easter everyone and here’s to healthy chocolate Easter eggs!

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.

Salicylates – what are they?

If you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems then you best sit up and take notice. This post is sure to provide you with some home truths about food intolerance symptoms, your own state of health and the impact of salicylates.

For starters, just let me say that it is no easy feat trying to get the ‘i’ and the ‘y’ in the right order when spelling salicylates. To pronounce salicylates,  you say “sal-iss-i-lates”. The word salicylic acid is derived from the word “salix” meaning Willow. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that plays a major part, among other things, in the metabolism of plants.

Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals in food. They are a part of the make up of fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, seeds, bark and flowers.  Salicylates are not added by a food manufacturer, they simply exist in nature in varying degrees.

Salicylates – reactions

According to Friendly Food written by experts at the RPA Allergy Unit in Sydney, the common food intolerance symptoms, or more directly, symptoms related to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, MSG and amines are hives and swelling, chronic headaches, mouth ulcers, stomach pains, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), nausea, sinus problems and a general feeling of being unwell. Reactions to salicylates can be just as debilitating as an allergy even though they are not considered the same thing.

Depending on how sensitive you are to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and amines, your reaction can vary. It can depend on your threshold, dose consumed of food high in salicylates and how regularly you have consumed food with moderate to high salicylates.

It might be comforting to know that as children get older their systems generally get better at handling naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates and amines. As food intolerance symptoms are linked to an irritation of the nervous system, we generally tend to grow out of the food problems. For adults, it can be a gradual build up along with what food we have previously put in our body that can cause food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates, amines and MSG.

Salicylates – what steps to take

If you would like to work out if you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates then you will need to conduct a food elimination diet. This food challenge should be conducted over a two to three week time frame.

Food colors, food additives and preservatives are usually also a problem for those who are sensitive to naturally occurring chemicals in foods.

To reduce the impact of salicylates you best look at what is in your pantry as well as products you are using personally and around the home. Here are some steps to take:

• Eat fruit that is moderate to low in salicylates most of the time.
• Remember that you can be dose affected so be aware of those foods that are high to very high in salicylates.
• Eat fruit when it is ripe as unripened fruit is higher in salicylates.
• Stop using herbs and change your oil to safflower or sunflower oil, until you have finished your food elimination diet.
• Flavors easily go undetected. Avoid flavors such as spearmint and peppermint.
• Look at your laundry detergents as these can be scented. Same with air fresheners and cleaning goods.
• Stop wearing perfume, aftershave or deodorant that has scents that may irritate you.
• Be aware that some medications such as Asprin contain salicylates.
• Peel fruit and vegetables as salicylates can be higher just under the skin.
• Make a list of alternative products before you go shopping to make it easier to avoid things with salicylates.

Friendly Food is one of the most comprehensive books covering food intolerance symptoms and naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, amines, MSG and allergies. It will assist you with a food elimination diet along with The Failsafe Cookbook.

I’ll be talking more about naturally occurring chemicals, covering Amines and Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG) in future posts. I’m interested to hear your story on food intolerance symptoms or feel free to add a comment if you would like me to reply directly.

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.

Food colors and their use

When browsing the grocery shelves, it is not hard to see what is going on when you see brightly packaged food. Colors sell! Children are subjected to advertising on television to prompt them to pester the other people in the household who are involved in the decision making process. Marketers are taught to target specific people in the purchasing process prior to the purchase to increase the chance of you purchasing their brand.  I know, I graduated with a Diploma in Marketing some years ago, so I learned these things.

When you see an advertisement for a product, it is rare that you are thinking about it from a marketing perspective. You are simply exposed to what the product is, the message provided about that product and whether it is in the top of your mind.  For example, you are not going to be as interested in a car advertisement if you are not looking to purchase a car in the near future. However, if you are looking to do your grocery shopping in the next day or so then food products would be more inclined to attract your attention. Then, how much of an impact that product advertisement has had, the product options available including food color and packaging will determine what you purchase at the time.

Food colors are added for the purpose of making products look more attractive to you in the hope that you will purchase them.  The concern with this is that it is not just the packaging that is colored in a specific way.  Food manufacturers are adding food colors without considering the implications of this on our health.

Food colors do serve a purpose but only where it is the natural color of the food. how it grows To elaborate, foods can be used to feed your emotions based on the natural color of the food; no additives, no synthetic colors. The color of a food can assist you with your general well being. For example, yellow foods are a great natural way to lift your mood or depression. You can find out more information about feeding your emotions through the wonderful heirloom wholefood healing volumes shown above.

Food colors and children’s behavior

If you are a parent then you may be well aware of the impact of food colors and additives on children’s behavior, especially where there is a party involved. You may yourself suffer food intolerance symptoms or even chronic headaches as a result of food colors or food additives. Often parents will collect their child from a party only to have a hyperactive child on their hands. If the food reaction is not immediate, you can sometimes see the impact of food colors and food additives on children’s behavior the following day or so. You can thank food colors, additives and sugar for that. Often times, parents think that sugar is the only reason for their children’s behavior but this is not the case. While processed sugar is very bad for your body, food colors and food additives, including preservatives can have a detrimental impact on children’s behavior.

I had to scoff when I read the label of a children’s fruit juice tetra pack recently, when it read that they had added food color. So tell me how a child that drinks the juice from a pack they cannot see into and through a straw that leads straight past their eyes into their mouth is going to be looking at the color of the juice? I am sure the food color was only added because the same juice is used for larger, clear container grocery lines. Even so, that shows a level of care or more, lack of care.

There have been many trials and studies carried out that clearly show that food colors do impact children’s behavior. So, if you would like happier, calmer children then I suggest you take a good look at the ingredient list of each product prior to purchase to make sure there are no food colors or food additives. Additive Alert: Your Guide to Safer Shopping contains a list that you can pop into your purse or wallet when shopping.

As a parent, your role can be made much easier if you choose to avoid food colors and food additives. You’ll benefit from this because your children will be calmer and happier and parenting will become much more enjoyable.

Food colors – the proof is in the pudding

The amount of food containing food colors is deplorable. It seems that food standard groups are happy to approve food colors as acceptable for many food manufacturers without good reason. Some food colors that are considered acceptable in one country are banned in another because some countries are aware of the dangers of adding food colors to grocery lines. Australia still permits some food colors under “safe levels” and acceptable daily intakes. According to Julie Eady who is the author of Additive Alert, Australian children are getting a higher dose of food colors than intended because these “safe levels” are not taking into consideration children’s weight.

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand have a set criteria for letting additives into the country however, the concern is that the testing and reporting is conducted by the manufacturer and not conducted independently. Further to this, it seems Australia is not leading the way in the ban on food colors that have been linked, in other countries, to hyperactivity and effects on children’s behavior. Tartrazine – E102 is particularly harmful.

If you or your children are suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems, then you may find that food colors in food have a more detrimental impact on your health or children’s behavior.

The UK has taken action to remove some food colors that we still permit in Australia. For a full list of food colors currently permitted in Australia you can view the FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) document here. The FDA website (Food and Drug Administration US) provides a list of additives and their purpose and in their writing of such, seem to justify the use of food colors and additives “with the consumer in mind”. I hope you will read this and form your own opinion as to whether we actually need many of these food colors or food additives put in foods that we consume.

Numerous articles have been written on the detrimental impact of food colors on children’s behavior. I have listed some below.

New York Times Article – Some Food Additives Raise Hyperactivity – study finds.

The Lancet Study – Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Food Standards Agency UK – Agency revises advice on certain artificial colours

NCBI Website -  Synthetic food coloring and behavior: a dose response effect in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study.

I encourage you to take action to have food colors banned. You can start here if you are in the US. In Australia, you can lodge a submission here.

On a positive note, ALDI Supermarkets are leading the way in Australia by removing some nasty food colors from their food range. You can read the article here ALDI Leads the way Thank you ALDI, our children will benefit from your action.

Tips for avoiding food colors

A few simple steps will help you minimize the food colors and additives that you and your family consume.

1. If you are at a party and cake is handed out, just scrape the icing off the cake. You will find that many children avoid the icing anyway. Icing with food colors might look attractive but many children don’t eat it.
2. If you are organizing a party, choose food that does not contain food colors. Make your own cookies two days before. Buy plain, potato chips instead of flavored ones. Avoid jelly and jelly products. Give fresh fruit platters.
3. Instead of putting lollies with food colors in party bags, add a novelty gift such as a shaped note pad and pencil, balloon a home baked cookie or cookies from a grocer that do not contain food colors. Or, if you don’t wish for your child to have the party bag, take along your own and swap it, but make sure it is inviting.
4. Give water at the party. You will be amazed how many children will be happy to drink it. Or next time you are at a party, listen to how many children ask for a drink of water; you will be surprised.
5. If you really MUST buy soft drink, buy plain lemonade such a Schweppes. Most soft drink or soda pop, even plain flavor,  has food colors added so always read the label. Also be aware that these are full of sugar and the alternative to purchase diet products is worse.
6. Brighten up the party with streamers, balloons and napkins on the table.
7. Make the food look attractive by using colorful plates instead of adding food colors to food to be consumed.
8. For those suffering from food intolerance symptoms, consider using failsafe food.
9. Take along your additive list from Additive Alert when you are shopping. Choose alternative products.
10. Go through your pantry, look at the product you are using and list some alternatives on your shopping list. Remember, as this becomes habit, your shopping trips will become easier. I know this from personal experience.
11. Educate your children. Teach them about food by telling them what is in it and what it may do to their body or the way they are feeling. My daughter knows that annatto causes her to get grumpy and she is happy to avoid it. Show your children some alternatives or ask their opinion. Letting them have their say provides them with empowerment and shows you trust them. This is all great for children’s behavior.
12. Avoid processed foods. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables where you can and your body will love you for it.
13. Start having home made healthy smoothies if you have a sweet tooth or you want to give your children a treat.
14. If you are going to someone’s place for dinner, take a plate of your own food and make them aware that your body does not cope with food colors and food additives. Of course it is important to state it in a diplomatic manner so as not to insult your host or hostess.
15. Use fruit to decorate a Birthday cake. Substitute the processed cacao for raw cacao powder (see picture below) and buy Organic Raw Chocolate to use in your cake recipe. Raw cacao is highly nutritious unlike most products supplied at the grocer.

Food colors and additive book – A best seller

I urge you to look at the ingredient list of everything you buy and make a difference to your own health and that of your family by making healthy choices that do not include food additives or food colors.

We use this fabulous book on food additives, shown below, and it is extremely comprehensive and written by Australian author Julie Eady. I highly recommend you get your copy by clicking on this image below.

Hyperactive children can be that way because of the food they are eating or  beverages they are consuming. Parents often go looking for techniques for modifying children’s behavior when in actual fact, all they need to do is change their food eating habits. Even natural colors can cause behavioral problems in children and toddlers.  Such natural food colors are cochineal which is derived from crushed insects, Caramel colors which have nothing to do with the color of the food to which it is added and lastly, Annatto which is derived from the seed of the Annatto tree. These natural food colors can have an adverse impact on children’s behavior and health. Remember, just because something comes from nature, does not mean it is good for you.

By not purchasing products that have food colors you are sending a message to the manufacturers of these products. More importantly, you are refusing to put food colors into your children’s bodies and this is great for their health and well being. Your action can have an impact. You just need to make an active choice NOT to buy food with food colors added.