Health & Wellbeing - Your Toddler

As your baby progresses into the toddler years they will begin to socialise more and their circle of friends and contact with other children will widen.

Wonderful for their social development, but it also increases their chances of coming into contact with less favourable friends!!!!

Head Lice, Threadworms, Impetigo and Molluscum Contagiosum are often part and parcel of childhood. If your child comes through unscathed then congratulate yourself.

As well as prescribed and over the counter medication, homeopathic treatments and remedies could also be considered when thinking about how to treat these childhood complaints.

Homeopathic approaches

Homeopathy is a safe, gentle and effective form of medicine which uses minute amounts of selected natural substances to stimulate a ‘dis-eased’ body to return to a state of balance. There are no side-effects and as such homeopathic treatment is suitable for many of the common diseases and complaints of childhood. In essence, it supports the body’s own natural defences and enhances the immune system. Many people turn to homeopathy after they have exhausted other options although there are a growing number who use it as their primary source of health care. It is possible to self-prescribe a limited number of homeopathic remedies but for best results it is worthwhile building up a relationship with a qualified practitioner.

Listed below, as way of example, are some ailments which respond well to homeopathic treatment or natural remedies. There are of course many others.

Threadworms

(Also known as pin or seat worms) resemble small white pieces of thread and can be seen crawling around the anus at night when they come out to lay their eggs. They are the commonest type of worms in children and can be extremely difficult to eradicate. Typically sufferers are often nose-picking, thumb-sucking, nail-biting, bottom-scratching children so hygiene is of paramount importance. Hands should be washed thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet or touching pets, fingernails kept short and scrubbed occasionally and pyjamas preferred to nightdresses.

A homeopath is likely to consider the whole constitution of a child before prescribing a medicine but if no other symptoms are apparent then they may choose one of the following remedies. Cina is indicated when the child has an itchy bottom, is irritable, picks their nose, grinds their teeth and has dark rings under the eyes or Teucrium will be preferred if an itchy bottom is accompanied by an itchy nose, restlessness during sleep and a crawling sensation in the rectum after passing stools. You can see therefore how important it is to observe the symptoms in great detail before selecting a remedy. An incorrect selection however will not cause problems or side-effects, it simply will not work.

Impetigo

An infectious bacterial skin disorder common amongst children and very highly contagious. Those infected should be excluded form schools and other childcare facilities until all signs of the infection have completely disappeared. Symptoms are visible as small patches of tiny blisters which burst and then form a crust resembling brown sugar. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen
around the nose and mouth. The bacteria are spread by touching the blisters and then other parts of the body or by using the flannels and towels or infected persons.

Many homeopathic remedies are indicated for this complaint and their selection will depend upon the location of the blisters and the appearance of the discharge. Other accompanying symptoms such as exhaustion, chilliness and restlessness will also be taken into account. Practical selfhelp measures include bathing the affected areas with a natural calendula tincture (5 drops diluted in 1/4 litre of cooled boiled water), not sharing towels and flannels and washing hands before preparing food.

Molluscum Contagiosum

A viral skin complaint which presents as small wart-like lumps with an indented top. It has an incubation period of 2 weeks to 6 months, is more common in children already affected by eczema and often clears up spontaneously within 6 - 9 months.

Homeopathy can significantly reduce the duration of the virus but there are no preferred remedies or topical applications and treatment is aimed at the child’s overall constitution. During infection, contact sports, swimming pools, and shared towels and baths should be avoided.

Head lice

Parasites which lay their eggs (nits) on hair shafts behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. They are easily passed from person to person especially amongst children. Prevention is easier than cure so it is worthwhile following the steps below from time to time even if your own children do not appear to be affected.

Firstly, comb the hair thoroughly with a metal-toothed lice comb dipped in cider vinegar. This will be enough to remove some adult lice and to un-stick the glue which attaches the nits to the hair shaft. Then apply some pure coconut oil to the scalp, massage in and comb through again, removing lice and nits form the comb as you go along. Leave the oil on the hair for a few hours or overnight (protect bedding with old towels) and comb several more times to dislodge the remaining nits and lice.

Now here is the important bit - apply a natural shampoo directly to the scalp and massage in well, comb again, then (and only then) wash the hair with water to remove the shampoo, oil and vinegar. Oil and water do not mix so if you do not apply the shampoo first you will not be able to remove the coconut oil from the hair. This pleasant treatment can be repeated several times a week if a lice manifestation is already present and gradually decreased until it is only required once a month as a preventative measure.

Fiona Wray

Fiona Wray RSHom
Classical Homeopath Colchester
	01206 546928
	www.fionawray.com