Free CPR and Free First Aid Certification Classes Training Courses Online

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Learn cpr and first aid today for free (or low cost)! Online Free CPR and Free first aid training certification classes are not only fast and convenient, it may be also offered for free or for a very low cost. Online courses, or the virtual class, is designed for those people who want to learn CPR and BFA but may not wish to spend a lot of time or money to do so, and cover the same fundamentals and teach cognitive skills as the more expensive and lengthy classes offered by American Red Cross® and The American Heart Association® as well as numerous private schools. Quick and convenient online CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation) Recertification can now be easily obtained online on your own time. Learn how to do cpr, aed, first aid, bls and acls training courses. Classes include Hearstaver, ACLS and Healthcare Provider BLS Courses. Save a life today. Use our site to know where to sign up online or at an official center for your 2 year certification card.

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Always make sure your AHA testing center is accredited and will give you cards the same day or within one week. Do not take and do not be fooled by other sites that offer only "online" cards that you can print or get in the mail. For allied health professionals, nannies, nurses, doctors, therapists and others, you must take both a written test and a practical skills test. Do you need Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS), Heartsaver CPR with AED and First Aid or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)?

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Can you save a life? In an emergency, when every second is critical, would you know what to do?

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According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in America. Once the heart ceases to function, a healthy human brain may survive without oxygen for up to 4 minutes without suffering any permanent damage. It is during those critical minutes that CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) can provide oxygenated blood to the victim's brain and the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone can learn and perform CPR. Use our site to also learn about basic first aid skills such as burns, cuts, respiratory problems, choking, splinting fractures, sprains, strains, when to use heat or ice & what to do in case of allergies or shock.

Typical things covered in a CPR and First Aid course are:
Adult cpr
Child cpr
Infant / Pediatric cpr
Choking
Drowning
Heat Illnesses
Sprains and Strains
Shock
Burns
Sprains and Strains
How to manage the situation
Who to call for help
Repiratory problems and using an epi pen
Spinal injuries and bracing

Anyone can sign up for CPR and First Aid certification at the nearest local Red Cross, American Heart Association -approved center, Fire Department or Private company in your own area. But there are also many programs available online for cheap or for free! If you do an online certification training course, be sure you employer does not need you to have a "practical skills" portion of the exam. If you do need a practical skills portion (needed for many agencies, nurses, bls healthcare providers, etc) you should take a traditional classroom course.

Free CPR and Free First Aid Certification Classes Training Courses Online

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Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

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A sneezing cat may have a cold or other respiratory illness. He may have something stuck in his nose. These are just two of the possible causes for sneezing in cats.

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A cold in a cat may be viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. Each will require a different treatment, best done by your vet. Since sneezing can be caused by many different things, and because you may not know exactly how sick your cat is, you should seek the advice of your vet.

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Cats may also sneeze in response to strong chemicals or cigarette smoke. Different cats show different sensitivities to chemicals. Many flat-faced cats are more sensitive to chemicals and may sneeze in response to exposure. Suspect your perfume, cleaners, or insecticide sprays if you cat suddenly starts sneezing.

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Allergies may cause your cat to sneeze. Cats are susceptible to the same allergies as humans, such as trees, grasses, pollens, and other airborne allergens. Allergy testing may be required if your cat is bothered by excessive sneezing.

Other uncommon causes of sneezing in cats may be nose polyps, cancer, and ear infections. If you suspect any of these, or if you just cannot determine the cause of your cat's sneezing, take him to the vet for diagnosis.

If your cat sneezes blood, it may or may not be serious, but should be checked immediately. It may be as serious as nose cancer, or as simple as a mild cold.

An uncommon cause for a cat sneezing is dental problems. Tooth abscesses or infections in the upper teeth can travel to the nasal cavity and cause sneezing. Only a vet can determine the exact cause and possible treatment.

Sneezing becomes a problem when it causes the cat to become cranky. Additionally, a sneezing cat makes it almost impossible for the cat, or the owner, to get adequate sleep. This can lead to irritability for both.

A veterinarian is the only one who can decisively determine what is causing the cat to sneeze. Methods of determining the cause may include physical exam, an MRI, blood tests, nasal swabs, polyp biopsy, skull x-ray, and endoscope of the nasal passage, biopsy of the nasal lining.

Treatment for the bleeding depends, of course on the cause. Treatment may include surgical intervention, medicine to treat viral or bacterial infections, and treatment for allergies or asthma, as indicated.

Though a sneezing cat is no joke, there have been some superstitions surrounding cats over the years. Some of these include: cat sneezing once -rain is predicted; cat sneezing three times--the family will catch a cold; and good luck will come to all who hear a cat sneezing.

Sneezing Cat - What Does it Mean?

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Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

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What is vomiting?

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Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

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Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

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Dangers of Gardasil Starting to Emerge

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On May 22, 2007, five schoolgirls at Sacred Heart Girls College in suburban Melbourne, Australia, were taken to the hospital after receiving an injection of Gardasil, the newest vaccine to be mandated for cervical cancer. Soon after the vaccination, twenty-six girls were seen at the campus medical clinic. Five were admitted to the hospital: Two were kept overnight for dizziness; one had temporary paralysis and loss of speech. The condition of the remaining two was not known. (1)

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In the U.S., symptoms similar to those experienced by the Australian girls have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Since the approval of the vaccine in June, 2006, there have been at least 1,600 adverse events reported. Here are a few examples directly from the VAERS reporting pages:

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“Immediately after injection patient complained of severe pain at site. Fell off table and fainted for approximately 10 - 15 seconds. Hyperventilating. Complained of headache, blurry vision; vision test was normal. Vomiting x 1 in parking lot and speech was momentarily inarticulate. Sent to ER where her neurological exam was normal except for word recall "coffee instead of coughing" and said "Sired instead of tired."

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“A female patient was vaccinated with a first dose of HPV Vaccine. Subsequently as the patient was leaving the examination room, the patient fainted. The patient recovered shortly after fainting.”

“A 14 year old female was vaccinated with Gardasil. It was reported that the patient was sitting on a bench. When the nurse left the room, the patient apparently fainted and ended up falling off bench. It was reported that it was unsure if the patient had broken her nose but there was blood. At the time of this report, the outcome of the events were unknown.”

VAERS is a passive surveillance system and depends upon voluntary reporting by clinicians and parents of serious health problems following vaccination. Although VAERS reports do not prove causation, they can provide a warning system that a vaccine may be causing health problems.

It has been estimated that fewer than 10 percent, even as low as 1 to 4 percent, of adverse events from a prescription drug or a vaccine are ever reported.(2) If only 1 percent of all adverse events associated with Gardasil are being reported to VAERS, there could have been as many as 160,000 acute health problems from the vaccine in less than one year. The long term neurological or immune system complications are completely unknown. It is uncertain if any of these vaccinated children will go on to develop fertility problems, cancer or damage to their genes, all of which Merck admits in its product insert have not been studied.

John Iskander, from the Center for Disease Control’s immunization safety office has said, "There is absolutely no reason to think that there is anything in this vaccine that's going to make people more likely to faint". (3) Despite his assurances, there are ingredients in the vaccine that can cause recipients to become dizzy and faint.

Histidine, an amino acid, readily converts into another amino acid, histamine, when it enters the body. When released, histamine causes redness, swelling, itching and allergic reactions leading to widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure… people can faint. The vaccine also contains Polysorbate 80, an agent used in creams, ointments, lotions, and multiple medical preparations including vitamin oils, and anticancer agents. Polysorbate 80 can cause potentially fatal reactions in including anaphylaxis, characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives, and breathing difficulties… people can faint. (4)

Fainting spells after vaccination can have serious consequences. An article published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (1997), reviewed the 697 reports of syncope (fainting) that occurred after vaccination and had been reported to VAERS between 1990 and 1995. More than 97 percent of the events have occurred within 30 minutes of a vaccine, establishing a causal relationship. Of these, six patients sustained a serious head injury, including skull fracture, cerebral bleeding and cerebral contusion. Three of these patients required brain surgery and two were left with substantial residual neurological deficits at six months to two years after follow-up. (5) Dizziness and fainting after vaccination is not something to be taken lightly.

As for the children in Australia, the vaccination program is scheduled to continue in June. “The college is confident that this program of vaccination is safe to offer to students," says Christopher Dalton, the school principal. "We will be working with the Department of Human Services Victoria and the City of Monash Immunization Services in the planning vaccination program."

The assumption is that illness and dizziness are “normal reactions” to a vaccine. The overriding theme for the Australians is that “We have a vaccine, and we will use it.” For little girls in the U.S., watchful waiting is advised.

________________________________________

REFERENCES

(1) “Vaccine linked to sickness.” [http://www.news.com.au/story/0],23599,21774793-2,00.html

(2) Braun M. Vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS): usefulness and limitations. John’s Hopkins Bloomburg School of Public Health. http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/VAERS.htm

(3) CDC Says Gardasil's Side Effects Minor, Additional Warning Labels Unnecessary. Feb. 26, 2007 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=63651

(4) Coors, EA. Polysorbate 80 in medical products and nonimmunologic anaphylactoid reactions. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005 Dec;95(6):593-9. PMID: 16400901

(5) Braun MM, et al. Syncope after immunization. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1997;151:255-9.

Dangers of Gardasil Starting to Emerge

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Six Common Causes of Lip Sores

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Comment from my mailbox: Hi Dr. Moffat --I just wanted to let you know that my lips cracking in the corners are all healed up today! Looks like the call on the lip balm was perfect -- I started using mint lip balm from Trader Joe's after I got your message on Monday. The little bumps on the upper edge of my lip is also gone and the corners aren't all puffy anymore either. Thanks again for testing that for me. The fact that it wasn't healing was driving me nuts. Sheila.

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Sheila was having a couple different challenges with her lips. Because they were not responding, she kept trying new things. We found several things she was using occasionally and a couple of things she was using more consistently that she was allergic to.

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This is a common thing that people do for both themselves and their pets (trying lots of products when something isn't working then not knowing which products are causing the problem.) Unfortunately sometimes this only makes the problem worse and difficult to decipher--unless you use muscle testing which is what we did.

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In general though:

1) People are often allergic to products containing petroleum and even some products labeled "hypoallergenic". Occasionally people are allergic to their toothpaste and more often to their lipstick/lip balm. Many people are allergic to Neosporin and Chap Stick. I recommend Mentholatum Lip Balm often. It comes in tube, like Chap Stick. There are also homeopathic remedies to detox the body of what it is allergically responding to.

2) Sores on the outside corners of the mouth are usually vitamin deficiencies--especially vitamin B6.

3) Sores on the top and bottom lip edge are often allergies to something being put on the lips and often this can be aggravated by sunshine.

4) Canker sores, herpes sores and cold sores are often related to what it is in the person's life that they are "biting their tongue" about or not saying out loud and is also accentuated by stress, poor diet, not enough raw foods, and sleep issues (in combination of course).

5) Sores inside the lip and under the tongue can sometimes be viral in origin or an allergy to something. I know a few people who are allergic to nutmeg which causes a little vesicle to form under the tongue on the frenulum.

6) White sores on the mouth are usually caused from yeast (Candida). Try getting a lip product that contains Myrrh essential oil. You will also have incorporate lifestyle changes to overcome the yeast inside your system.

I hope those clues can empower you to figure out the cause of the most common lip challenges. Sometimes they make your lips itch, they can make you feel ugly, and you certainly don't want to kiss anybody! We don't want that for you as loving yourself is the most important thing you can do for your family and your planet!

Six Common Causes of Lip Sores

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Gluten Causes Bi-Polar, Rage, ADD

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Gluten Intolerance Causes Behavior Problems?-- No Way!

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Little did I know how much food itself (and gluten intolerance) would become a major turning point in our lives. I had heard about gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance which causes symptoms of upset stomach, IBS, etc... but psychological issues and bad behavior? Now that was a new concept!

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Introducing my 3 year old, Emily. She was always a challenge. My first daughter, now 6, was the perfect baby. Always smiling and always a pleasure to be around. She ate well and slept through the night early on without any problems. So, when Emily arrived, I assumed it was the classic case of one good/easy child and one more demanding one. I definitely didn't think she would be gluten sensitive.

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Emily still got up at least one time a night until she was around 1-1/2 years old. Sometimes she couldn't settle down to get to sleep and other times she would just wake up in the middle of the night in the absolute worst possible mood for no apparent reason. She couldn't be calmed down either. She could not/ would not calm down until the "fit" subsided. She screamed (literally) until the fit was over.

Many, many a night my husband and I tried to figure out what was wrong with our discipline plan- it had worked for our older daughter. Was Emily not getting enough one on one attention? Well, that couldn't be it, I was a stay-at-home Mom. Did she have too much sugar? We always limited the girls' sugar- especially before bedtime. We were even careful with giving our girls artificial colors and sweeteners as they had shown themselves to be culprits in other family members' behaviors such as causing hyperactivity. She didn't show celiac syptoms so we ruled that out early on.

So what was going on? Guess she was just "blessed" with my strong personality genes. During the day she was in my hip carrier most of the day because otherwise she was unbelievably cranky. We just couldn't wait until Emily could talk. We figured once she could verbalize her irritation she would say it and then just get over it.

Wrong.

As she got older, Emily's tantrums became literally too much to handle. We heard all the typical responses from well-meaning people such as - we need to discipline better, teach her who's boss, spare the rod and spoil the child, etc... Unfortunately NO discipline worked. My husband and I even decided to try a parenting seminar for extra ideas.Here again, gluten sensitivity was something we didn't even think to look for.

As time went on, I was starting to see that we were dealing with a very different child. I started asking my Mother and other relatives, "Was I this difficult when I was younger?". I was a challenge, no doubt, but definitely not to the extent of our little Emily. I had just decided that she is the way she is and there's no changing her. We just hoped that one day the pent up aggressive tantrums she now had would somehow be re-focused toward something more productive as she got older.

As Emily approached her 2nd Birthday I was becoming overwhelmed with her behavior. Nothing I did made her happy and the mornings were horrible. Would she wake up happy or mad? What can I do to make and keep her happy? The stress was unbearable. My life revolved around avoiding the next tantrum. I decided that for the benefit of both Emily and myself, a change needed to come.

Two weeks after Emily's 2nd Birthday, I went back to work. For the first time ever, my girls- 4 and 2 entered daycare. It absolutely broke my heart but I reasoned that Emily would do well associating with peers her own age and our 4 year old could start to get prepared for Kindergarten. Emily had some separation issues as expected but nothing major at that point. It was a small church daycare so they were really good at loving on the kids and not being very strict. As time moved on, however, we started to see major behavior issues starting to brew. Long story short, she became very demanding and would hit and / or throw a tantrum lasting sometimes an hour over something so insignificant as not receiving a baby wipe when she thought she deserved to have one. She didn't want to play with others her age. She preferred playing by herself.

After 8 months we decided to change daycare centers - assuming Emily wasn't being challenged enough and perhaps would do better at a large daycare center.

At the new center, there were new activities, new toys, a new environment and a teacher that absolutely let Emily get her own way with everything (we didn't know that at the time). In the 2 year old classroom life seemed to be good. We thought our prayers had been answered.

Then Emily turned 3 and entered a new room with centers and more rules. The first two weeks were fine- a "honeymoon period" if you will. Following those two weeks, however, our nightmare was just to start. Emily refused to work with her teachers. She would do the absolute opposite of everything she was asked to do. She refused to stay in a center and her temper tantrums got WAY out of control. She spent more time at their office (which she probably enjoyed better) than in class. She was totally disruptive. She would throw chairs, hit, spit - anything to NOT do what she was supposed to. Children in her class would GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to not get near her. They were actually afraid of her! The teacher, after one particular day,refused to come back to work if Emily was in her class again.

Ok, so something was seriously wrong. She seemed to be worse at school (daycare) than home. Maybe there was too much MSG or artificial sweeteners or colors in her snacks? Well that HAD to be it... What else was left? So.... I started bringing ALL of her snacks. Lunch was ok because it was all homemade so that couldn't be the culprit! All of her new snacks had natural colors (from vegetables) and no artificial ingredients. They had LOTS of whole grains because they are healthy, right? Whole grain bars, color-free wheat crackers- she was at least getting healthy grains. Emily, during this time, moved to the 4s and 5s room. Maybe she just preferred a different teacher? Again things improved for about two weeks. Was it the room, change in kids, new atmosphere, or the new snacks?

All was good except that darn rash. Now it was getting warm again and she was getting the same rash she's had previous years. It resembled Poison Ivy. There were bubbles that would itch and hurt her at the same time. Last year we had taken Emily to the doctor for it and he wasn't sure what it was. He gave us a cream to use that didn't help.... and here we go again with it. It would make her grumpy because they would itch while she tried to sleep. She wouldn't keep her shoes on at daycare because her feet itched so bad!

Well, the behavior came back full force this time. She was EXTREMELY aggressive and it was even mentioned that she could have "Oppositional Defiance Disorder". Her tantrums couldn't be controlled, she couldn't focus and she had Dr. Jekyl / Mr. Hyde type of aggression. Emily would rage, even to the point of really hurting teachers - and remember - she was 3!

I was told that she needed to be evaluated for her behavior in order to remain at that daycare. The "specialists" aka Psychologists saw a definite problem, possibly ADHD or other behavior but they couldn't tell the daycare of any particular "trigger" that was causing it. I was then expected to seek help from more knowledgeable child Psychologists. Everything was pointing toward Bi-Polar Disorder.

After a couple more weeks with more aggressive, rage behavior Emily was removed from that daycare. Honestly, they had done all they knew to do. They couldn't continue to disrupt and stress out all the other children because of her behavior.

The day she was removed was horrible. I felt it was my fault. I wasn't a good enough Mother- either not strict enough or maybe not loving enough. She has my genes- it's my fault. Bottom line, I didn't know what to do. Keeping her out of daycare and staying home again (just to keep her shielded) didn't seem like the right thing to do. I prayed that day for an answer. I was absolutely at the end of my resources. I wasn't willing to put my child on medication for the rest of her life but it looked like that's where we were headed.

My Mom had picked Emily up from daycare so that I could have a meeting with them. After the meeting, after praying in the car, I ran an errand. I went to the Natural Food Store in the area that I so frequently visited to pick up a supplement. The girls who work there came over, as always, to chat. They immediately saw the despair in my face, then the tears rolled.

I recapped the last few weeks, explained that I had eliminated the normal reactive foods from Emily's diet and to no avail. Now what- I didn't know what to do. That's when gluten intolerance was suggested to me. The easiest way to see if gluten is a problem for someone is to COMPLETELY eliminate it from the diet. What?? Gluten?? I thought that just causes stomach problems! I was enlightened that day. Symptoms can show themselves as the following:

Fatigue,
Food Cravings,
Eczema,
Unexplained Rashes,
Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes),
Red Face/ Ears, Stomachaches,
Loose Stools or Diarrhea,
Constipation,
Alternating Diarrhea and Constipation,
Mucus Production,
Congestion,
Immune, Inflammatory and Autoimmune Reactions,
Abnormal Pulse,
Elevated Blood Pressure,
Headaches,
Migraines,
Ringing in the Ears,
Tingling,
Dizziness,
Tics,
Depression,
Mood Disorders,
Anxiety,
Panic Attacks,
Aggression,
Sleep Disorder,
ADHD Symptoms (decreased attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity),
Mood Swings,
Irritability,
Autism Symptoms (poor eye contact, social withdrawal, decreased language, obsessions, repetitive behaviors)

In all of my well-meaning, healthful snacks, I had replaced all of the so-called "bad" foods with something that Emily was sensitive to. I was OVERLOADING HER with gluten!

Wow! So, does that mean I can have hope again? Oh, well, wait a minute. Isn't gluten in EVERYTHING? I thought people who were "gluten free" were more along the health-food nut spectrum! Ok, easy enough.... I'll just buy EVERYTHING in the store that says gluten free. Problem solved. Yeah right, not so. Little did I know just how much gluten-free foods could taste like straight up cardboard or worse yet, HARD cardboard. I thought the days of good, moist, tasty foods were gone. They can be but if you follow my advice, you'll be safe. I found gluten-free food and recipes that actually taste good!!

So where are we now? We have come a long way in just a few months. We started using THE supplement for behavior issues, toxicity and sickness/ viruses- Our systems are clean so they can function better. Our whole family is gluten free mainly for the ease of it. It's easier to cook one kind of meal than two. Emily is back at the original, church run daycare and doing VERY WELL!

Gone are the tantrums lasting hours, terrible mornings (Emily wakes up happy most days now). The rages are gone, the aggression is gone too. Granted, she does have her moments as she IS 3 but nothing like before. She speaks so well! It's almost as if she can think better these days. She's not violent anymore and the bi-polar symptoms are gone. She actually gets upset if someone hurts her feelings or hurts her. She doesn't seem to have much of a recollection of how she used to be.

Yes, the results are THAT dramatic! Emily sleeps all night without the horrible screaming fits in the middle of the night. She's actually a pleasure to be around. Oh! And that rash that used to keep her miserable is also gone. One might say "That's just a coincidence, maybe she grew out of her symptoms" but that's not the case. We had Emily tested for allergies. She had no known allergies to any other food product and we also resumed gluten containing foods for about four days. During that four day period, Emily started getting very irritable again AND on the fourth day her rash started coming back- how's that for proof!? We are convinced that gluten is a problem for Emily.

I have noticed changes in myself as well. I'm not as anxious and stressed. My heart doesn't race like it used to, I sleep more soundly, and my stomach isn't bloated after eating like it used to be. I don't even crave bread anymore. Gluten sensitivity seems to be an issue for me as well. I still eat gluten-free bread but don't crave foods like I used to.

My goal with this information is to educate individuals in ALL aspects of gluten sensitivity. Celiac symptoms can show but there are other symptoms to look for as well. It's not just about stomach issues and IBS. Gluten sensitivity can show itself at ANY age.

Children can display the behavior and psychological symptoms early on and the stomach issues can then surface later in life. Or, babies could have the stomach issues early on. Colic could actually be caused from gluten sensitivity from the formula he/she consumes.

By the way, if you are thinking of going gluten-free, you should make sure your system is clean so that it is able to function better. Really, you should do this anyway. See what I mean at the website listed at the bottom of the article. At the website homepage click under "Cleanse".

Gluten Causes Bi-Polar, Rage, ADD

Baby Allergies

How To Detect Autism In Your Child

Baby Allergies

Parents obviously want the best for their children and always want to make sure that they are as happy as possible, as well as being as healthy as possible. One of the things that parents should watch for, however, is signs that their child might be suffering from autism or autistic spectrum disorder. The signs of this disease are not immediately obvious compared to a cut finger or bruised knee.

Baby Allergies

The signs of autism, if you are watching for them, are best to be discovered before the child reaches 1 year old. When caught early, the chances of minimizing the effects of autism are dramatically reduced. Even at very young ages such as a few weeks to a few months, you may be concerned if the child has little or no responsiveness to external stimuli, perhaps seems oblivious to parents or caretakers in the same room or holding them. As they get a bit older, another sign is a failure to anticipate movement, such as when you walk by or wave your hand in front of them.

Baby Allergies

As parents wanting the best for their children to be able to grow up and mature in a normal manner, it is important to watch for signs of this disorder, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as quickly as possible. The effects of this disorder can do serious harm to the child's social development, social interactions, communication skills with others, and their ability to adapt to new situations, which can even extend to staying with you in a hotel on vacation instead of being in their own bed.

Baby Allergies

There is also a health risk that is enhanced for children with autism, since studies have shown that the autistic child will develop more slowly than other children of the same age and will also typically be more susceptible to diseases and illnesses such as allergies, some mild digestive disorders, and even respiratory problems.

Some of the signs of possible autism in your child that you should watch for and be aware of would include:

* Responsiveness abnormalities. Children with autism do not respond in the same way as children without autism, and frequently do not even respond to hearing their own name. Children with autism are known to virtually ignore certain sounds.

* Attention span. Children with autism are frequently unable to concentrate or focus on objects that are shown to them, and also have problems following movement, such as when a parent walks past them.

* Lack of imitational skills. Autistic children frequently do not imitate their parents with facial expressions or gestures such as waving, smiling, or making faces.

* Poor social skills. People afflicted with this disorder often have difficulty in understanding other people's feelings, relating to others around them, or even to be able to illustrate compassion for someone else in distress.

* Lack of imagination. Autistic children frequently have problems in playing "pretend games" or using their imagination. Children with autism frequently are unable to see things in a way other than the way things actually are.

A great reference for parents concerned about autism in their children, and no parenting library should be without can be found at our web site.

It is important to watch for these signs at very early ages during a child's development, since if autism is successfully diagnosed at an early age, chances are much better that measures can be taken at that very young age to minimize the effects of the disorder.

How To Detect Autism In Your Child

Baby Allergies

Treatment of Flea Bites on Human - What Home Remedies Available?

Baby Allergies

Fleas not only bite and live off your pets, they bite people too. The typical human reaction to a flea bite is the formation of a small, hard, red, slightly raised, itching spot with no swelling. Some bleeding can occur, particularly if the bitten area is scratched. A single puncture point caused by the flea is generally apparent in the center of each spot.

Baby Allergies

Flea bites normally occur on the legs and ankles. Different people have different reaction to fleabites. Some people are totally unattractive to fleas and are not affected by the presence of fleas while others may be "appealing" and sensitive to fleas resulting in severe allergic reaction to their bites.

Baby Allergies

See some pictures of flea bites on humans

Baby Allergies

Well, how to treat flea bites on human? Before you run off to your family doctor to seek medical treatment, here are some home remedies for the treatment of flea bites on human.

1. Firstly, it's important to keep the affected area clean. Wash the bites with some antiseptic lotion or soap. Use cold water but avoid the use of warm or hot water as this may tend to stimulate itch

2. Secondly, apply a cold pack over the bites to reduce swelling.

3. Do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections.

4. If the affected area is read and swollen, you may apply a mild steroid cream like 1% hydrocortisone cream. This should be easily available from any pharmacy without the need of a prescription. Hydrocortisone helps in reducing inflammation rapidly. Alternatively, if you have a bottle of calamine lotion at home, this may help too.

5. Very often, the itch caused by the fleabites can be very intense. An oral dose of anti-histamine like Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton is very effective in relieving itch. Once the itch stops, you will stop scratching as well and the healing will take place faster.

Treatment of flea bites using these home remedies should improves within a few days, However, if the condition worsen whereby, they remained red and swollen with discharges, then a trip to your family doctor may be necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics for you and a jab of steroid may be needed to stop the inflammation.

However, success in treating flea bites is by no means a solution to your problem. To avoid further bites from these little pesky creatures, the only solution is to get rid of them totally. Killing fleas in house, getting rid of fleas on pets is what you need to do as part of your flea extermination plan

Treatment of Flea Bites on Human - What Home Remedies Available?

Baby Allergies

How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and Allergies

Baby Allergies

Seasonal allergies are something that many people suffer from. These will occur during the beginning of one or all seasons as the pollen from various plants is released into the air. It is possible for people to go years without knowing that they suffer from these allergies and confusing it with the cold.

Baby Allergies

The symptoms experienced between these two conditions are so similar and is why we confuse the two together. They both induce a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, and a cough. However, each one are induce in contrasting ways and although they are the same they are also different.

Baby Allergies

The first thing to think about when distinguishing between the two is when they begin. If it is allergies then the symptoms will usually come all at one time during a particular season. If it is the cold then the symptoms will come in waves. Usually it will begin with a sore throat before the runny nose begins and then a fever.

Baby Allergies

How long do the symptoms last? People who suffer from the allergies will experience them for as long as they are being exposed to the allergy. When it comes to the cold it will usually only last for a week maybe two.

I know it sounds gross but try to examine the mucous coming from you runny nose. This is an easier way to differentiate between allergies and the cold. If it is yellow then you have the cold. If it is clear then it is only allergies.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and Allergies

Baby Allergies

Citric Acid Allergy?

Baby Allergies

Do You Have a Citric Acid Allergy?

Baby Allergies

There is some debate on the internet about whether such a thing as an allergy to citric acid is a known medical condition or not. Some people, including many M.D.s and other doctors (such as naturopaths) suggest that there is no such thing as an allergy to citric acid, instead calling it a "food sensitivity", a "food intolerance" or even a "non-allergic food hypersensitivity".

Baby Allergies

Regardless of the terms currently used, the fact is that some of us have adverse reactions when we eat citric acid, and sometimes when we put it on our skin.

Baby Allergies

Citric acid is frequently made from corn, and I believe that often a reaction to corn is actually a reaction to the citric acid that is in the corn. Citric acid is found in MANY foods naturally, and not just citrus fruits and most people think.

It is also used as a cleaner and descaler in concentrations around 6% to remove hard water stains from surfaces, and it is also used to slow the rate at which concrete sets, so you can see it has many industrial and household uses.

In food, citric acid frequently used as a preservative, and many vegetable and fruits are washed in a mild citric acid solution to prevent them going brown (and looking less appealing to shoppers) by reacting to oxygen in the air (oxidization).

It is also used as a flavoring to make foods taste tart, and is sometimes used in place of lemon juice by food manufacturers. You'll see it on the ingredients list of many canned drinks, including many colas and root-beers.

How Much in the World?

In 2007 there was an estimated 1,700,000 tons (that's 3,400,000,000 or three point four BILLION pounds) of citric acid produced, most of it made in China. Where did all this go?

Here is the breakdown:

Half of it was added to drinks, 20% as food additives, another 20% added to cleaners and the last 10% is estimated to be added to cosmetics, like shampoos and soaps.

As you can see, it isn't just something quite rare tat you find in a few things, but rather is extremely common.

The Difference Between Allergies and Intolerances

So what exactly IS the difference between an allergy and an intolerance? Well, here is what I have managed to gather from my studies.

To be an allergy, technically, your immune system has to be involved. That is, something has made your immune system start to do its job and try to protect you. The problem with allergies is that too often, your immune system seems to start doing its job when it doesn't need to, because it reacts to things that aren't really very harmful to you, such as pollen.

A food intolerance (or food sensitivity) on the other hand, is a body's inability to digest certain compounds in food, but does NOT involve the immune system. The reasons that this happens seems to be caused by several factors, and more research needs to be done to determine what all of these factors are.

Important

It's vitally important to determine whether or not you do indeed have an allergy or intolerance, and the only way to do this is to see a licensed doctor, preferably an allergist or other specialist in that field.

Allergies can be life threatening (hence me saying it's VITALLY important) and many people are now prescribed "epi-pens" which are syringes full of epinephrine, which they must administer to themselves (or have others do it for them) if an attack happens when you aren't near a physician (which is most of the time of course).

Other Food Intolerances

There are several common food intolerances, including the following:

Lactose Intolerance - which means you can't drink milk or eat milk derived products

Gluten Intolerance - which means you can't eat breads or any products made with wheat

Carbohydrate Intolerance - which means you can't eat many vegetables

Citric Acid

I've spoken with several doctors and citric acid intolerance (often called citric acid allergy) seems to be new to many of them. While this probably isn't a life threatening condition, because of its symptoms, it can be very debilitating, and quite often very embarrassing.

Citric Acid Allergy?

Baby Allergies

TEA for TWO, For BABY and YOU!

Baby Allergies

Baby Rooibos Tea is naturally good for your baby. It is an anti-allergic nutritional supplementary drink and is suitable for babies from birth. It can help relieve the following conditions:

Baby Allergies

Colic
Insomnia
Food Allergies
Stomach Cramps
Eczema

Baby Allergies

Rooibos Tea has been a trusted solution for the above conditions for the last three decades amongst South African mothers and more recently, mothers worldwide.

Baby Allergies

Rooibos Tea contains the soothing and relaxing flavonoid quercetin with anti-spasmodic properties and luteolin an anti-inflammatory antioxidant. Rooibos tea has a dramatic calming and soothing effect when added to allergic babies' bottles and promotes good sleeping patterns.
Furthermore, Rooibos has anti-allergic properties because it contains the unique flavonoid aspalathin, which only occurs in the Rooibos plant.

Scientists have found that Rooibos Tea has the following properties:

- Anti-allergic
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-ageing
- Anti-spasmodic
- Anti-viral
- Anti-oxidant
- No caffeine
- Low tannin
- Rich in Minerals
- Anti-carcinogenic

Rooibos Baby Tea contains all the essential minerals and trace elements needed to give your baby the best start in life. Replace juice or water with Baby tea for a nutritional supplementary drink, you can even use Baby tea instead of water, when mixing baby's normal bottle-feed. The Tea does not replace baby's normal bottle or breastfeeding, but is a Nutritional, Anti-Allergic, Calming Supplementary drink. Because Rooibos Tea is low in tannin, it will not deplete baby's own natural iron reserves. Even better, no sweeteners are necessary. The Tea has a naturally sweet and fruity taste. The tea goes through strict pasteurisation and sterilisation processes to ensure it is up to baby's standards!

ROOIBOS TEA IS GOOD FOR MUM & DAD TOO!
Favoured by families worldwide, Rooibos Tea is highly regarded for its unique health benefits and has powerful rejuvenating and antioxidant properties.

Anti-oxidants help to reverse and prevent free radical damage to our bodies. The Rooibos plant contains a number of different flavonoids, which help to neutralise the effect of these free radicals. In combination with the tea's naturally high Vitamin C content (1,5mg/ml), they act as anti-oxidant compounds to protect your family against diseases like cancer.

The Japanese, who have studied Rooibos Tea extensively, and in particular its anti-ageing qualities, actually call Rooibos tea "Long Life Tea".

In 1968, Dr Annique Theron made the amazing discovery that Rooibos Tea not only alleviates allergies internally, but also externally. The Tea had such a calming and soothing effect on her own allergic baby daughter that she felt she wanted to share it with mothers all over the world. At that time, there was hardly any information available on the natural therapeutic properties of Rooibos Tea and Dr Theron set out to find out as much as she could about this remarkable plant through her own investigations. She strived to gain all the knowledge she could and to utilise the full potential of the plant's unique properties.

Dr Theron published a book: Allergies: an Amazing Discovery on the anti-allergic qualities of the Rooibos Plant.

Dr Theron received International Acclaim from the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 1997 and received the Woman Inventor of the Year Award for her discovery of the beneficial properties of the Rooibos Plant, Aspalathus linearis and for the application of her Patented Rooibos Extract in skin-and healthcare products.

Rooibos Tea is a healthy and nutritious drink for the whole family, from Baby to Grandma and Grandpa.

TEA for TWO, For BABY and YOU!

Baby Allergies

Food Allergies - Why Are Peanuts So Dangerous?

Baby Allergies

Since peanut allergies are particularly dangerous, a lot of research has been carried out on the subject in recent years.

Baby Allergies

Some people's allergic reaction to peanuts can be extremely severe, and the problem is only compounded by the number of foods which may contain peanuts; often in products you wouldn't necessarily expect to find them. Even supposedly peanut-free foodstuffs may have been contaminated in a factory which also produces products containing peanuts. Peanuts are the number one cause of food allergy induced fatalities, and it only takes a very small amount to cause a reaction in susceptible people. What's more, the allergen doesn't even have to be ingested -- airborne particles, for example from peanut oil or flour can also cause the reaction.

Baby Allergies

For those who suffer badly from this particular allergy, the biggest danger is anaphylactic shock. This occurs when histamines are released into the bloodstream, causing the throat to swell, with accompanied difficulty in breathing, and circulatory problems such as dangerously low blood pressure; it can be fatal.

Baby Allergies

The allergic reaction occurs when a person's immune system identifies certain proteins contained in peanuts as a potential threat and produces antibodies to counter the perceived danger to the body. From then on, further contact with peanuts will result in the antibodies instructing the immune system to release histamine into the blood, which causes the allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to cure or alleviate a peanut allergy, and scientists aren't sure why some people have the problem and not others. However, it has been shown that you are more likely to suffer from peanut allergy if other members of your family do as well. Although around 20% of children who have the allergy will eventually outgrow it, this should not be seen as a 'cure', as the person can relapse at some point in the future. It is therefore advisable to continue avoiding peanuts, even if you think your allergy is cured.

Food Allergies - Why Are Peanuts So Dangerous?

Baby Allergies

12 Surefire Ways in Preventing Sinus Allergies

Baby Allergies

Sinus infection & allergies have become a major concern for many people. Many of those who suffer from these allergies resort to over-the-counter and prescribed medication for quick relief. Preventing them from coming back may be nearly impossible to attain, but there are lots of ways to lessen the occurrence of attacks and preventing it from becoming chronic.

Baby Allergies

As they say, treating the causes of sinus allergies is much helpful rather than trying to recover from a severe attack. Thus, take a look on twelve surefire ways to help prevent a sinus infection:

Baby Allergies

1. Avoid pollution and other irritants. As they say, the best thing to do is to avoid what triggers the sinus allergies. Being exposed to contaminated environment and polluted air such as chemicals and strong fumes may aggravate our nasal passages and irritate our sinus linings.

Baby Allergies

2. Treat allergies and colds - People with inflamed nostrils due to allergies and colds may likely have a very strong reaction to irritants.

3. Use humidifiers and air conditioners but avoid temperature extremes. Moisten the air in your home using humidifiers because your sinuses drain effectively when the air is moist. Also, air conditioners are perfect in stabilizing the temperature of your home so you can avoid sinus pain due to sudden change of weather. You may attach filter into it, as well as to your heating equipment to remove allergens from the air.

4. Do away with smoking. It is said that tobacco and smog are known to cause irritation of our sinus linings leading to awful drainage of mucus and cause congestion as well.

5. Do away with alcohol. Alcoholic drinks especially beer is said to cause swelling of nasal and sinus membranes thus exposing them to infection and irritation.

6. Do away with travelling by air. Travelling by air may cause problem for those suffering from chronic sinus allergies. This is so because a bubble of air within the body tends to expand as the air pressure in the plane decreases. This expansion of air causes pressure on the tissue and can block the tube connecting ear to pharynx. This will lead discomfort in the sinuses or in the middle air during the ascent and descent of the plane. However, if air travel is unavoidable, consult your doctor before your flight to avoid inconvenience.

7. Drink lots of water and juices. It is believed that water helps increase the amount of moisture in our body as well as helps in preventing congestion and thins the mucus for appropriate drainage.

8. Avoid swimming and diving but take hot showers and steam inhalation. People with sinus infection may not like to swim in a chlorine-treated pool because it may irritate the lining of the nose and sinuses. And those who dive often experience congestion resulting in a sinus infection because the water enters the sinuses. Instead, take hot showers and do the steam inhalation because these may help loosen your mucus and moisten your throat for proper drainage.

9. Observe proper hygiene. The most common causes of sinus infection are bacteria and virus. It is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water as frequently as possible. As you see, everything around us is contaminated with germs. Thus, washing your hands all the time is very important especially if we in contact with people with flu.

10. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and reduce consumption of dairy products. Eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and other chemicals could help improve your immune system and help your body defend against infect ion. Also, do away, if not, reduce eating dairy products because it causes to restrict your nasal passages and clot your mucus resulting to pain and headaches.

11. Avoid stress. You may not know it, but stress can worsen our sinus infection. So, if you have sinusitis before, stress may trigger it and makes it worse.

12. Go natural, go herbal. You may use natural way of preventing sinus infection by the use of homeopathy and herbal medicines as well as vitamin supplements.

These are 12 surefire ways to help prevent sinus infection. May this help in your battle with your clogged nose and irritating sinusitis.

12 Surefire Ways in Preventing Sinus Allergies

Baby Allergies

Milk Allergies in Infants and Children

Baby Allergies

Milk is very important part of the diet of infants and children. Milk provides both calcium and vitamin D which are essential for the growth and development of children. It is well understood that if infants and children do not have enough milk they will have serious health problems. From the time a person is born they begin to consume either mother's milk or other forms of milk. Mother's milk and formula both are made to provide all the essential nutrients an infant needs to grow and develop normally. Sometimes it becomes evident very early in the life of an infant that they have a problem with the milk they are receiving and may even be allergic to milk. This condition will need quick intervention to make sure the baby is not adversely affected.

Baby Allergies

Interventions For Milk Allergies In Infants

Baby Allergies

The best thing a baby can be fed is their mother's milk. Most of the time when they are nursed by their mother they will have less allergies. Some of the times what the mother is eating causes problems for the baby. If a baby seems to be allergic to their mother's milk the mother should first change her diet. She should avoid gas producing foods and foods which may be irritating to the infant. If this does not relieve the symptoms in the baby the mother should speak with the pediatrician and consider switching to formula.

Baby Allergies

There are two primary formulas for infants. There is cow milk based and soy based formula. Many infants who are allergic to cow's milk will do great on soy milk. Both these types of formulas have the necessary ingredients to promote good health in the infant. If these types of milk do not work for the infant, a physician will need to prescribe a formula that will be able to nourish the infant that has the milk allergy. Most infants will grow out of the milk allergy in time and will be able to eat a normal diet.

Children With Milk Allergies

Some babies do not overcome their allergy to milk and as the child grows it becomes a more complex issue. Children with milk allergies will have many foods to avoid as they grow up. Milk is an ingredient in many products and even small amounts can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. Parents will need to learn what food products to avoid and will in turn need to teach their child. Because the Food and Drug Administration requires all ingredients to be listed on produced food it is easier for a parent to figure out which foods may cause a problem.

Milk Allergies in Infants and Children

Baby Allergies

Feeding Your Two Month Old Baby

Baby Allergies

Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby. Here are some reasons why breastfeeding is best:

Baby Allergies

o Breast milk can help protect your baby against illness. It can protect her from allergies. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it's good for babies to be breastfed for the first year of life.

Baby Allergies

o It's best for mom. Many breastfeeding mothers lose the weight they gained while pregnant faster than mothers who do not breastfeed.

Baby Allergies

o It creates a bond between mother and baby. You can learn your baby's signals faster.

o Breast milk is easier to digest than formula and you don't have to prepare bottles or formula. Breast milk is always ready. Babies do not become constipated from breast milk.

Each baby has her own feeding schedule. Some babies need to nurse more often than others do. In general, nursing babies need to be fed at least eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. That means feedings every two to three hours. If your baby has not fed for several hours and then dozes off after only a few minutes of nursing, gently wake her to encourage her to continue nursing. Try to help your baby feed until your breasts are emptied of milk or at least 15 minutes from each breast.

If you have any questions or problems with breastfeeding, talk to your doctor, nurse or WIC breastfeeding counselor. To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at http://www.lalecheleague.org/.

Follow your baby's lead. Babies tend to get as much milk as they need when you let them nurse when they want and for as long as they want. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. Your milk supply will keep up with your baby's demand.

How do you know when your baby is hungry? Here are some hunger signs to be aware of:

Early hunger signs:

o Head moves toward voice, mouth opens

o Lips smack, tongue reaches outward

o Hands move "randomly"

o Fists find mouth

o Infant begins fussing

Late hunger signs:

o Brow furrows

o Mouth widens, head moves quickly from side to side

o Fists clench, seeking the mouth

o Baby cries

Do you think that your baby is too young for you to enjoy interacting with him? Think again. There is a lot you can do, using baby sign language, that will be fun for both of you.

Feeding Your Two Month Old Baby

Baby Allergies

Allergy Remedies For Pregnant Patients

Baby Allergies

One of the most depressing parts of chronic allergy is having onset allergy symptoms which can be very uncomfortable in any given situations. For women, having one of the most tiring of pregnancy is the morning sickness, this comes in swollen ankles, aching joints and allergy attacks which can make life really miserable. The most depressing part in having an allergy while being pregnant is that, you can't take any drug for your allergy as it can harm your and affect the baby.

Baby Allergies

So how can you fight allergies without taking any drugs? Your best option is taking natural remedies to ease your pain and strengthen your immune system to have a good guard against irritants that can cause allergies. Dr. Cathleen London, a physician of both traditional and homeopathic treatments in Boston's philosophy against allergy attacks is based on treating the whole person, not just his of her symptoms. Many allergy symptoms can be lessened through natural ways. Dr. London's solution for this dilemma is through nurturing the patient to ward off ailments.

Baby Allergies

Eat Away Allergies

Baby Allergies

Nurturing pregnant women using natural nutritional supplements can safely treat pregnant women safely. The nature's antioxidants which is fruit and vegetable is the best option for all pregnant women out there to boost their immune system, save their body from ailments and protect their child from any diseases. Tomato for example, is just one of the many nature's gifts to mankind. This fruit is rich in lycopene and synergistic compounds like phytoene and phytofluene. These natural substances can help ward off allergy symptoms. Tomato products like sauces and pastes should be used generously by pregnant women, in fact tomato products work even better than raw tomatoes says Dr. London. Natural Remedies

Avoiding allergens is one of the most effective ways in decreasing the potentials of having an allergy attack and symptoms. A smoke-free environment is a better place for a growing and developing baby.

Drinking a lot of water during onset of allergy can help ease the discomfort of the symptoms. Equipments like air purifier is also very effective in fighting allergens present in the air.

Allergy Remedies For Pregnant Patients

Baby Allergies

10 Tips to Get a 9 Month Old Baby on a Feeding Schedule

Baby Allergies

Starting solid food to babies is a big milestone for both parent and a baby. Before introducing solid foods to babies parents should make sure that their baby is ready for solid foods or not. Solid foods can be started between 4 and 6 months of age, depending on pediatricians recommendation some babies are simply not ready for solid foods as early as others.

Baby Allergies

Read below some baby care tips for meals to be given to 9 month old baby

Baby Allergies

1. Oatmeal: Start your baby breakfast with some unsweetened oats. Make it with breast milk, formula, water, or even juice. To make it more delicious mix some banana slices or home-steamed fruit, such as pears or apples.
2. Pancakes /waffles: Try to use a pancakes/ waffles which contain whole-grain mix. Add just a bit of wheat germ for a health boost. You can top with pureed fruit but avoid sugary and syrups.
3. Eggs: Only serve yolks to your baby as whites are an allergen for baby. Add a tablespoon of cottage cheese and scramble. For some good taste turn eggs into a lunch by mixing in mashed tofu or a softened vegetable and serve to your baby
4. Grilled cheese: Use whole-wheat bread, shredded cheese that melts easily, with a little butter. Cut the sandwich into bites before serving to your baby. Try using two cheeses, such as cheddar and mozzarella, or adding a thinly sliced avocado this gives a good taste.
5. Yogurt: Give unsweetened yogurt to babies for flavor; add jarred or home-steamed fresh fruit. For some assortment stirring it in wheat germ and combining several fruits for new tastes.
6. Sandwich: Avoid peanut butter on a sandwich which is an allergen. Use very soft bread and cut off the crusts before making sandwich for your baby. You can try cooked egg yolks, avocado, hummus, and cream cheese as middle ingredients in sandwiches.
7. Soup: Make soup with soft veggies and noodles. For some assortment, add mashed beans, well-shredded meats, or shredded cheese to your baby soup.
8. Macaroni and cheese: Make it from scratch toss the soft, whole-wheat noodles cooked in broth with butter and shredded cheese. For some assortment, stir in pureed green vegetables, such as peas, spinach, or broccoli, or mix with mashed beans or shredded meat and serve to your baby.
9. Baked potato: Remove the potato from its skin and mash in butter, cheese, and soft veggies. You can put it through a mini food processor with veggies, cheese, butter, and broth. For some good taste, try a mix of sweet and white potatoes, or mash in tofu, meats, and beans before serving it to your baby.
10. Pasta/Rice/: Before giving pasta/rice to babies run it through a mini food processor with a sauce. Add cooked veggies, such as zucchini and squash or well-shredded meats for some assortment.

Baby Allergies

10 Tips to Get a 9 Month Old Baby on a Feeding Schedule

Baby Allergies

Eczema and Food Allergy - Are They Really Related to Each Other?

Baby Allergies

Usually, parents perceived that food allergies are the source of their child's eczema. However, there are numerous experts who find this belief to be untrue. Instead, these experts advise parents not to limit the diet of their child without consulting with a pediatrician first. An example of eczema relating to food allergy was the case of a five month old baby who suffers from severe eczema.

Baby Allergies

According to the mother, the baby is intolerant to lactose early on, even the formulas of lactose free appear to be incompatible to her baby. Hence, she decided to shift to soy. The soy shows a good reaction on the baby's skin. However, after sometime, the eczema appeared again.

Baby Allergies

If you are in the position of the mother, would you think that the soy caused the eczema to the baby? Would you prefer to use again the lactose free formula?

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As what has been mentioned in the previous paragraph, eczema usually appears and vanishes, leaving the child with clear eczema free skin for a couple of weeks. That makes the triggering factor of eczema hard to be determined.

This is the exact thing experienced by the mother in the presented case. Though it is true that the controversy about food allergies as a triggering factor of eczema do not die away until now, the relationship of a lactose free formula to the baby's eczema do not show a good reason.

According to the experts, the baby might catch the allergy from milk proteins, or if not from the soy proteins. They reject lactose, a sugar, to be the reason.

Special supplement could really help.

Eczema and Food Allergy - Are They Really Related to Each Other?

Baby Allergies

Ketchup Allergy

Baby Allergies

There are so many diseases as well as afflictions that the mind could very well get boggled by it. One of the afflictions as well as medical conditions that cause a lot of distress is that of allergies, the types of which are many. Allergies are essentially the irritation as well as the acute or mild discomfort that are caused by means of the foreign substances that are perceived by the body as being harmful to their overall wellbeing.

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One can encounter various types of allergy which may be caused by smoke, pollution, pollen, dust as well as even food items that could result in irritation. The external manifestations of these allergies could be also of various levels and types, some of which may be so mild that they can be managed or tolerated by the individual, whereas in other cases, people may also face life threatening situations on account of the allergy. One such allergy form is that of ketchup allergy, where tomato or other forms of ketchup may cause discomfort to individuals who ingest the ketchup. Ketchup may seem so innocuous and harmless to consume, but then based on physical as well as chemical reactions that the body may endure, some people may not be able to really stand ketchup and may have mild or violent reactions when they come in contact with this external substance.

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As far as ketchup allergy is concerned, it has been mostly observed in kids, where a large majority of the kids that have this allergy, generally display symptoms in their childhood. As they grow, they often outgrow the symptoms of this allergy in a way which makes it possible for them to consume ketchup normally and regularly without any harmful reactions or side effects whatsoever. However, during their toddler years, it is advised that they be kept away from ketchup as it causes grave discomfort to these kids. The symptoms of ketchup allergy are similar to that observed in the case of other kinds of food allergy, where foods like nuts, fish, eggs, prawns, mushrooms and the like are the source of food allergies that are manifested in the form of outward signs that not all is well. Some of these symptoms are retching and throwing up of the ingested food, appearance of rashes across the face, flushed faces where the blood seems to rush to the face as well as stomach aches and loose motion or diarrhea, which causes great deal of discomfort to those suffering from the allergy.

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Ketchup allergy could also occur in mild forms that may have some of these symptoms but in a manner that does not debilitate the person. However, if it occurs in very severe forms, it could assume life threatening proportions that have to be effectively countered and warrant urgent medical attention. One more of the severest symptoms is anaphylaxis, where the throat and the mouth become red and get affected such that one is unable to function properly and experience extreme form of discomfort. One has to go and meet up with a doctor if this form of allergy is experienced, or it may lapse into anaphylactic shock.

The main form of treatment to ketchup allergy is similar to that for any other food related allergy. The person has to go in for an avoidance diet that means the person has to avoid consuming ketchup in all its forms at least till such time that one can be declared as being free from the allergy. There are some simple and quite painless tests that are performed, which help in ascertaining the extent of affliction that can help in taking medical action to mitigate its effects.

Ketchup Allergy

Baby Allergies

Baby Care - Things You Need to Have Before Your Baby Arrives

Baby Allergies

Most parents are always excited to see their new baby. Babies give a lot of fun and excitement to a lot of families. Keep in mind that there are a lot of equipment and tools that you need to acquire before your baby arrives. Make sure that you have the most important ones to make your baby happy and satisfied.

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CLOTHS AND CLOTHES

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Your baby will certainly need clothes for him to feel comfortable and warm. Try to get comfortable and baby friendly clothes that will fit your baby. Make sure that they will not cause allergies. You will also need mittens, socks and head cap to keep him safe and at ease. Try to have comfortable blankets and cloths that will surely help you in caring for your baby like receiving blankets.

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BABY EQUIPMENT

There are a lot of baby equipment that your baby will surely need. Crib can greatly help you in rendering excellent care for your baby. He will have a place where he can sleep comfortably anytime. Try to make sure that it is safe. Baby bouncer is also good to soothe your baby and make him fall asleep easily.

You may also need a stroller and a car seat to make him more convenient. These equipment are very important when you and your baby travel a lot from one place to another. There are a lot of designs available. Just make sure that they are all safe before you let your baby use these equipment.

FEEDING ESSENTIALS

Feeding equipment will depend on how you want your baby to be fed. If you prefer to breastfeed your baby, you may need breast pads to avoid leakage of breast milk in your clothes. You also need breast pump to collect milk efficiently. If you plan to bottle feed, you will need feeding bottles and brushes for cleaning. You will surely need bibs to avoid getting messy while feeding your baby.

BABY GROOMING ESSENTIALS

Your baby needs to look good and clean all the time. Try to secure diapers and diaper ointment to make your baby comfortable while wearing a diaper and to avoid rashes to occur. You will also need baby shampoo, soap and tub to make bathing easy.

BABY FIRST AID KIT

You have to acquire a baby first aid kit so that you will be able to care effectively whenever he has injuries or when he is sick. Make sure that the kit contains alcohol, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, aspirator, medicine dropper and other needed first aid materials.

Always make sure that you always give your baby excellent care that he will surely want. Try your best in providing him with the nest baby equipment and essentials that he will surely need while he is young. Let him feel that you love him and you care for him a lot.

Baby Care - Things You Need to Have Before Your Baby Arrives

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Health Risks of Perfume and Perfume Allergies

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Although in ancient times perfume was merely the distillation of floral essences, perfume of today is created with both synthetic chemicals and nature based materials derived from either animals or botanical means.

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Many individuals can suffer from health risks when using or being around others who use perfume as well as those who suffer from perfume
allergies. Since the formulas used to make perfume is consider trade secrets by the manufacturers who make them, they are not required to list
the ingredients of their perfumes, so they generally list them as fragrance on their perfume bottle labels.

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Not knowing exactly what may be in any particular perfume leaves physicians lacking the information they need to make a determination of
exactly what may be causing an allergic reaction or what may pose as a health risk to some people.

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Here is a list of some ingredients that may or not be in any particular perfume:

- Benzaldehyde

- Benzyl acetate

- Benzyl alcohol

- Camphor

- Ethanol

- Ethyl acetate, which is on n EPA Hazardous Waste list

- Limonene

- Linalool

- a-Pinene

- g-Terpinen

- a-Terpineol

Some of these chemicals can make people ill, as they may suffer from these symptoms or illnesses that may be irritated by using or being in
close contact with someone wearing perfume products.

- Rashes

- Hives

- Dermatitis

- Eczema

- Sinusitis

- Asthma

- Sever headaches

- Nausea

- Central Nervous System disorders

- Fatigue

- Drowsiness

- Impaired vision

- Trouble concentrating

- Irritation of the eyes or upper respiratory tract

- Confusion

- Convulsions

- Uncontrollable coughing or sneezing

- any other numerous reactions depending upon the person and the chemical that is irritating them

Keep in mind when wearing any perfume product, especially a designer perfume, that it may not necessarily the scent that may be irritating an allergy sufferer, rather, it is a chemical of

the perfume offsetting an allergic reaction or even a health risk. Most of the time you do not even realize that someone may be allergic to

perfume until they suffer a bout with their allergies while being around you.

Since perfumes today are created by using different types of, chemicals they can in turn create allergic reactions and can sometimes make
worse existing conditions. When using a new or different perfume you should try a perfume sample, to make sure you are not allergic to it.

Anytime you show signs of an allergic reaction or a health risk of perfume, you should immediately stop using it, while becoming aware of its
ingredients. If an allergic reaction to perfume becomes sever, you should also consult with your physician to try to find out what may be an
allergy trigger or allergen for you. However, if you find you are not allergic to perfume and it poses no health risk to you and those around
you, you will more than likely be able to use that particular perfume product.

Health Risks of Perfume and Perfume Allergies

Baby Allergies

We Have the Green Light on Benadryl For the Baby

Baby Allergies

On a recent trip to the doctor's office for our little one's six month checkup we received some interesting news.

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Upon hearing that our child still wakes up 3 to 4 times a night to take a bottle, our doctor looked at us with a certain level of "pity" in his eyes.

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After saying "Wow, you're probably wore out aren't you?" he outlined a plan to enable our infant to sleep through the night.

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The goal it seems was to get the baby to consume less bottles during the day and none at night. We needed to get the child on a three meal a day plan. More solid food and larger bottles fewer times throughout the day. An exceptionally large meal before bedtime would be a good idea.

The second part of the plan is to further dilute the babies bottles at night. Instead of one scoop for two ounces we were to make it one scoop for four ounces. The goal was to move to nothing but water and then no bottles at all. Of course if we did this we would have to make up for the decreased nutrition at night by providing more more nutrition during the day.

And finally if this does not work so well we could use a half teaspoon of Benadryl thirty minutes before bed time to help establish a sleeping pattern that would provide my wife with some relief.

I am struck by the fact that it seems that certain parenting skills have to be learned and relearned with each subsequent child. I do not know the reason but I think that we tend to give a crying child what they want so that they are comfortable, happy, and content until we as parents come to the conclusion that the child has taken over.

Sometimes we do this at the expense of giving them what they need to advance in their development. Many times giving them what they need instead of what they want can be the best solution for both parent and child.

Of course a well rested parent is a much better playmate for their kids than a parent who wakes up three to four times a night.

I am sure there are those who think "drugging" your child is a terrible, terrible thing. My wife and I have already decided to use Benadryl as a last resort and never as a matter of routine.

That being said my next article on redneck parenting will be to proclaim the benefits of putting whisky on the babies pacifier to ease teething pain.

We Have the Green Light on Benadryl For the Baby

Baby Allergies

Allergy Fabric Choices

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There are three categories of fabrics available: natural; synthetic; and natural/synthetic mixture. Each may represent a problem to an allergy sufferer.

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Natural fabrics

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Simply because a fabric is "natural" does not necessarily mean that it is "safe" for people with skin allergies. Wool is one example of a natural fabric that can cause intense irritation to some people. The reason for this appears to be the irritating effect of the wool fibres. Many of us, whether we have allergies or not, are familiar with the itchy feeling a woollen garment often has when worn next to the skin, an effect likely to be worse in people who already have eczema or dermatitis.

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There is a popular misconception that it is the lanolin present in wool the produces the itchiness, but this is unlikely, since allergy to lanolin is rare in the general population. Nor is it particularly high among people who have skin allergies - some studies suggest that only about 1 percent of people with dermatitis are sensitive to lanolin allergens. This figure is even further decreased by the very refined, high-grade lanolin that is used in many skin-care products and preparations made for people with dry-skin conditions. Therefore, even if you suffer with true wool sensitivity due to lanolin allergens, skin-care products containing high-grade lanolin may be used safely. Ask your pharmacist for advice on suitable products.

Natural fabrics that are not usually associated with allergic reactions and should, therefore, not cause problems are cotton, silk, and leather. Most people suffering with eczema find that cotton clothing and bedding are far more comfortable than those made from wool or synthetic fibres. This is probably because cotton causes less sweating and skin irritation. There are specialist suppliers of unbleached, untreated cotton clothing and bedding.

Synthetics and natural/synthetic mixtures

One of the commonest of the synthetic fabrics is polyester, which is also found as component of some plastics and adhesives. Some clothes are bedding are made solely from polyester, but polyester fibres can also be combined with cotton to make what is known as polycotton. This material is frequently used for clothing, bed linen, carpeting, and as the stuffing in duvets and quilts.

Individuals can different greatly in their tolerance of synthetics and natural/synthetic mixtures. Some people, for example, find that the type of dye used with polyester fibres irritate their skin, while polycotton and cotton products labelled "easy-care", "crease-resistant", or "non-iron" have been treated with formaldehyde, a chemical that can cause a skin irritation in a few individuals.

Finishings and fasteners

Even if you have done your homework, and have managed to avoid buying any clothes or bedding made from fabrics to which you may react, something as simple as a rough seam or edge on a garment could be enough to irritate the skin of an eczeme sufferer and set up a reaction. Likewise, any exposed metal poppers, buttons, or zippers on clothes and bedding could be the trigger. Popper fasteners are popular on baby clothes, but these should be attached to the garment in such a way that they do not come into contact with the infant's skin.

Allergy Fabric Choices

Baby Allergies