Soothing the Big Three: Natural Approaches to Hand, Foot & Mouth, Pink Eye, and Thrush
Navigating the ups and downs of childhood health can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to common yet troublesome ailments like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Pink Eye, and Thrush. In this blog, we’re going to explore these three familiar foes, arming you with a treasure trove of natural and effective remedies.
lets delve into easy-to-follow, gentle solutions that can ease your little one's discomfort and bring peace of mind to your parenting journey
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common viral illness in children, characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It can be uncomfortable for your little one, but thankfully, there are natural ways to ease their symptoms. HFMD is typically caused by the coxsackievirus and is most common in children under 5 years old. Symptoms usually resolve within about 10 days.
Below is some tried and true natural first line of defenses that can help you feel like you are capable of keeping your little one comfortable.
Signs to watch out for:
Mild Fever: It often starts with a slight fever.
Sore Throat: Your child might complain or show signs of throat pain.
Less Eating: They may not feel like eating much.
Feeling Cranky: Your child might seem unusually upset or irritable.
Mouth Sores: Look for painful sores inside their mouth.
Rash on Hands and Feet: A noticeable rash or small blisters appear on these areas.
Blisters Can Spread: Sometimes, you might see blisters on the knees, elbows, or buttocks too.
Natural supports:
Rest and Hydration: Encourage plenty of rest and mineral rich fluids. I love teas, broths, or coconut water with a pinch of salt. This helps the body fight the virus and speeds up recovery.
Cold Popsicles “sickicles”- Very soothing and can add in some minerals and nutrition Sickicles
Lemon Balm Calm for Kids: This herbal remedy can be soothing. Make sure to follow the dosing instructions.Find here
Propolis throat spray (For 1yr and up) If your child can safely do so, swish spray in the mouth. this can be soothing and help with viral activity.Beekeepers Spray
Immune Support Supplements: Consider immune boosting herbs like echinacea, and astragalus modulating herbs like Reishi and camu camu and vitamins like C,D,A Wellness Favs
Briotech Topical: This spray can help speed up the healing time of the sores and help with pain relief. Here-TWF10
Oatmeal Bath and Baking Soda bath: Can soothe and calm irritated skin and blisters
D-Hist Jr chewable or Wild Wholistic Settle and Soothe: Helpful Anti- histamine ingredients. Find D-Hist and Wild Wholistic Soothe-TWF
Exploring hydration options, you might consider:
Breastmilk ice cubes or pops
Earthley Electrolyte Powder- Code WF
Pink Eye
Dealing with pink eye in kids can feel like a daunting task for any parent. This common yet pesky eye condition, known medically as conjunctivitis, often brings with it redness, itching, and a distinctive discharge that can make your little one quite uncomfortable. In this post, we're going to dive into what pink eye is, how to spot it, and most importantly, simple and effective ways to soothe your child’s symptoms naturally. Whether it's from a viral, bacterial source, or just allergies playing up, we’ve got some gentle, parent-approved strategies to help you navigate this all-too-common childhood ailment with ease
Signs to to watch out for:
Redness: The white of the eye turns pink or red.
Discharge: Look for green, yellow, or clear discharge from the eye.
Itchy or Burning Eyes: Your child may rub their eyes frequently.
Swollen Eyelids: The eyelids might appear puffy.
Sensitivity to Light: Your child might squint or turn away from bright lights.
Natural Supports:
Chamomile Tea Compress: Brew chamomile tea, cool it down, and use the tea bag as a compress on the closed eye. Chamomile has calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Colloidal Silver Drops: Administer a few drops in the affected eye. Its natural antibacterial qualities can aid in healing.
Breast Milk Drops: If available, a few drops of breast milk in the affected eye can be surprisingly effective. Breast milk contains natural antibodies that can help fight infection.
Homeopathic Pulsatilla: This remedy is often used for conjunctivitis, especially if the condition is accompanied by thick, yellow discharge and improved symptoms in open air. However, if it doesn’t work for you try Euphrasia, Apis or Belladonna may be helpful as well.
Thrush
Thrush, a common yet often misunderstood condition in young children, is a yeast infection that can cause discomfort and frustration for both little ones and parents. Characterized by white patches in the mouth and on the tongue, thrush can lead to fussiness and feeding difficulties. In this segment, we'll explore the triggers of thrush and provide gentle and effective strategies to help soothe your child.
Signs to watch out for:
White Patches: Look for creamy white lesions on the tongue, inside of the cheeks, or on the gums.
Difficulty Feeding: Your child may be fussy or irritable during feedings.
Redness or Soreness: There might be noticeable redness or soreness in the mouth.
Cracking at Corners: The corners of the mouth may become red and cracked.
Loss of Taste: Older children might complain of a loss of taste or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Nursing Issues: For breastfeeding infants, thrush can lead to issues with latching and discomfort during nursing.
For the Baby:
Probiotics: Use infant-specific probiotics. You can dust a small amount of a smidge infant probiotic on the nipple before feeding. Infant Probiotic
Diluted Baking Soda Rinse: A mild solution of baking soda and water can be used to gently dab the baby's mouth, helping to neutralize the yeast-friendly environment.
Coconut Oil: Apply coconut oil to the affected areas in the baby’s mouth for its antifungal properties.
Chamomile Tea: Gently apply cooled chamomile tea to soothe the baby’s mouth.
For the Breastfeeding Mom:
Probiotics: Mega-sporebiotic is recommended for mothers. It helps in maintaining a healthy gut flora, which can be beneficial in managing yeast.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: A diluted solution can be used to rinse the nipples, helping to control yeast growth.
Coconut Oil: Safe for the baby, applying coconut oil to the nipples after feeding can prevent yeast spread.
Dietary Changes: Reducing sugar and yeast in the diet can help in controlling yeast growth.
Garlic: Incorporating more garlic into the diet can help due to its natural antifungal properties.
Scutellaria Supreme: For recurring yeast issues, look into using Scutellaria Supreme, which may help in managing persistent yeast problems.Yeast Support
For Both:
Good Hygiene: Sterilize all feeding equipment and pacifiers regularly. Maintain proper breast hygiene.
Air Exposure: Allowing air circulation for the nipples and the baby's mouth can prevent the moist conditions that favor yeast.
Consistent Treatment: Treat both mother and baby simultaneously, even if symptoms are only visible in one, to prevent passing the infection back and forth.
It's important to remember that as parents, we are often the first line of defense in our children's health. While each of these conditions presents its unique challenges, the natural and holistic approaches we've explored can offer effective relief and comfort for your little ones. From soothing chamomile tea compresses for Pink Eye to gentle probiotic solutions for Thrush, and the importance of hydration and rest for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, these remedies are all about nurturing and supporting your child's wellbeing. Remember, the power of informed, attentive care combined with the gentle touch of nature can be incredibly potent. However, always consult with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or if you have any concerns about your child's health. Here's to happy, healthy little ones and the peace of mind that comes from knowing how to care for them in times of need.
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.