allergies and intolerances
One common problem we see in our clinics every day is children with undiagnosed food intolerances that are undermining their immunity. Parents of children who get recurrent illnesses, frequent infections and chronic catarrh often find that no matter how good their diet, and how many supplements they give, their children never really get well until they eliminate the foods that are causing the chaos in the first place. While conventional allergy testing with skin pricks or blood samples will pick up true allergies, sensitivities and intolerances (more insidious but less obvious), will be missed. We strongly recommend Allergenics testing, a process best done with a naturopath, to identify trigger foods.
worms
The most common worm affecting humans in New Zealand is pinworm, sometimes referred to as threadworm. Pinworm is transmitted only from person to person, contrary to the popular myth that we get it from animals. Worms are very common in children. One report suggested every child will get infected at least once before reaching high school. Sometimes children have no symptoms but the most common symptom by far is an itchy bottom. The anus and peri-anal area gets itchy from the worms themselves that live in the bowel and come to the surface at night to lay eggs. Other symptoms are restless sleep, loss of appetite and occasionally teeth-grinding or tummy discomfort. Kids transfer eggs easily from scratching Recognising red flags their bottoms and getting eggs under their fingernails. Good hand-washing is or danger signs and key, as is washing bedding and clothing. seeking medical care is Worms can be treated very effectively with specific herbal preparations that include our job as parents, and wormwood, black walnut and tannin-rich this comes as much from herbs. Pharmaceutical tablets are also well reading up and talking tolerated and easy to take. We always recommend treating everyone in the family, to professionals as it and following up treatment with a course of does from knowing our probiotics and slippery elm to help heal the gut and replenish good gut bacteria. children well.
nits
Even reading about nits will probably make your scalp tingle but unfortunately head lice are more than just the power of suggestion and are a very real problem for children, as most will get them at least once. Nits are the eggs laid by the lice and the itchiness is caused not by the critters crawling around but by a reaction to their secretions. There are many natural oils and shampoos that are extremely effective when combined with a diligent combing regime and a sharp eye! Once the infestation has set in, be sure to check all members of the family daily, and remember that the most common areas are behind the ears, in the fringe and at the nape of the neck. We cannot emphasise enough how important thorough daily nit-combing is once you know you have nits around. This is more easily done with hair laden with conditioner. Alternatively, essential oils such as rosemary, tea tree, neem, manuka or lemon can be diluted in a base oil (olive oil, sweet almond oil or similar) and left on the hair overnight, then combed and rinsed out in the morning. Once the nits and lice are eradicated, adding drops of some of these essential oils to shampoo and conditioner
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