Eczema Care: Why & How to Go Natural (Guest Post)

Before you read this, a small disclaimer. I am a mom and I am far from perfect. I try to make the best decisions for my family and myself. However, I know what it’s like to have a child in pain (my son had severe head to toe eczema). I was desperate and would do anything to relieve his suffering. So, we tried everything from cortisone to prescription moisturizers and various therapies. Then I discovered the world of natural products and soon realized most the skin care products were much more soothing  (no burning alcohol) on my son’s skin (most I say because some caused allergic reactions, like coconut and soy oil) and the laundry alternatives didn’t aggravate his skin. So, I am now a big believer in eco friendly, natural household products.

Eczema & Triggers

Eczema is a skin condition that affects 10-20% of children. It is characterized by red, itchy, weeping, crusting, and/or scaling skin. In most patients the skin barrier is weakened and therefore is extra sensitive to anything touching the skin, but especially topically applied and absorbed. Typical irritants include, but are not limited to:

·         Food allergies

·         Hot or cold temperatures

·         Stress

·         Colds & viruses

·         Household irritants (dust mites, pets)

·         Clothing and fabrics (wool, etc.)

·         Skincare products w/ certain chemicals

·         Detergents & drying soaps

·         Fragrances/perfumes

Ingredients to Avoid

The last three triggers above may contain very harmful ingredients that can cause eczema to flare and create overall dry skin. Read product labels carefully and watch out for:

Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulphate (SLS) –  Most commonly used to create lather in shampoo, but it’s used in many skincare products. It is a common skin irritant and should be avoided. AKA: Sodium Diethylene Glycol Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Alkyl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Polyoxyethylene Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ethoxysulfate and Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Sulfate

Fragrance/Perfume – Very irritating to the skin and contains many harmful chemicals. It’s best to stay away from anything with added synthetic fran graces. Essential oils, however, are considered a natural fragrance and also provide beneficial healing properties. For eczema these tend to be the most recommended essential oils:  chamomile, geranium, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, thyme, lavender, patchouli, rose, and bergamot oil.

Paraben – Highly allergenic preservative. Considered a carcinogenic.

Alcohol – Cream with any form of alcohol sends my son into a screaming rage. Imagine pouring alcohol on an open wound. Ouch. It is generally considered “safe” to use products containing alcohol on the skin, but what about the pain factor?

 

Mineral oil & Petroleum – May clog pores & does not allow skin to breathe properly. Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) is the body’s way of releasing toxins, so locking them in the body doesn’t seem like the best idea.

 

Polyethylene Glycol. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – Strips the natural moisture from your skin, not a desired quality in an eczema care product.

Imidazolidinyl Urea ( IU) and Diazolidinyl Urea (DU) - Known to cause eczema and allergies, as well as many other very negative conditions.

Why Avoidance is Important

Wait, you say. We’ve been told that products applied to our skin cannot be absorbed into our bodies, certainly not enough to enter the bloodstream. Well then, what about nicotine and contraceptive patches? Its possible only small amounts of these chemicals may be absorbed, but overtime this could cause toxic build up. Since eczema patients have a weaker skin barrier, many products can enter through their damaged skin layers much more effortlessly than they can in those with healthy skin. AND irritated, inflamed eczema skin should be treated gently with calming oils and creams, not further aggravated with drying agents and known allergens.

Take Precautions with Natural Ingredients

Well, gosh, this sounds contradictory. The point I want to make is that what works for one person may not work for another. So, certain natural products may really help your friend, but could harm your child. Take coconut oil for example, (virgin cold processed is best) – it may be the most effective eczema skin treatment for John, but it could cause an allergic skin reaction for Emma. ALWAYS do a small patch test on the skin before applying a new skin care product liberally. Watch for a reaction, usually immediate, but could occur up to a few ours later.

Eczema & Detergents

In addition to detergents containing harmful chemicals that can cause eczema to flare, some people may actually be allergic to detergents. Read about this mother’s struggle to determine the cause of her son’s eczema and her enlightening discovery.

Food allergies were a huge trigger for our son, but detergents also bothered his skin. We tried many detergents – fragrance free, eco-friendly, etc, but everything seemed too harsh for him. We finally happened across soap nuts and have been happily using them ever sense. Soap nuts are a great laundry alternative. They sound a bit extreme, but they really do work and are extremely gentle.

The Best Soaps/Cleansers for Eczema

The wrong soap can further dry out eczema skin by stripping it of its natural oils, something to avoid at all costs. Look for hydrating, moisturizing ingredients like olive, coconut, and jojoba oils, and essential oils as mentioned above. A good tip is to look for soap containing very few ingredients. Bar vs. liquid soap – that’s your choice. A quick note about “tear-free” products, these have chemicals added to numb the eyes. Natural products will not contain these chemicals and therefore could burn the eyes, so use caution.

Product Safety Database

Still have questions? Here is an AMAZING resource for skincare products. EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has a thorough listing of common skin care ingredients and provides a detailed safety review of each. They give a value to each ingredient – 0 being the least toxic through 10 being the most toxic. They use the ingredient listings on products to provide an overall toxic score for over 69,000 products! It’s really an incredible resource. A word of caution – you will be tempted to review every single product in your house for it’s toxic score. The site will really suck you in. Be careful not to make yourself crazy over your findings (like I did initially), but do try to use less toxic products when possible. If not for yourself, do it for your family and the environment.

~ Jennifer

Bio: Jennifer is a work-at-home mother of two. One has eczema, food allergies, and asthma. One has mild eczema. She is the founder of The Eczema Company and blogs at It’s an Itchy Little World.

Lifefactory Bottles ~ Why I Can't Go Anywhere without Mine!

When they first started using Lifefactory water bottles at home, my mom and sister, Hannah, knew they had to share this safe and innovative product with others!  I soon started using Lifefactory bottles as well and easily saw why my mom and sister were so excited about letting others know about these bottles.  So I thought I’d also give my little “hoorah” and help spread the Lifefactory love myself….here’s my take on the Lifefactory bottles and why I can’t go anywhere without mine!

Lifefactory bottles are made of non-toxic materials giving them both personal and environmental health benefits.  The main component of the bottles is, well, the bottle itself, which is made from glass. When it comes to taste, I’ve noticed a much fresher and more pure flavor when drinking water from a glass bottle over one made from plastic (a bland…toxic…flavor) or stainless steel (more of a metallic taste that bothers some). In terms of non-toxic characteristics, glass is a great choice because it is free from chemicals—in particular BPA—which helps me keep my body healthy and chemical free.  As for the environment, glass is 100% recyclable and reusable, which helps me eliminate the amount of waste I create.  The second component of the glass bottle is the food-grade and non-toxic silicone sleeve used to help minimize the chance for breakage that can occur when glass is involved.  Finally, the Lifefactory bottle is sealed with a BPA-free plastic lid to help prevent leaking.

The Lifefactory bottles also have an aesthetic appeal that I love! The silicone sleeves and BPA free plastic caps come in a variety of playful colors—my favorite being sky blue.  I actually have a few of these water bottles in different colors and sizes at home, so I often like to switch around the caps to the bottles!  And in case you are wondering, yes, the caps for the 16oz and 22oz bottles are the same size, so switching around caps for a colorful bottle combination is super easy.

The only downside I can think to bring up about the Lifefactory bottle is the obvious chance for breakage (which I mentioned previously). But being the good company that they are, Lifefactory has a solution in addition to the silicone sleeve to help increase the warranty of your bottle: they will replace a broken bottle…for free!  

Lifefactory bottles, in my opinion, are worth getting.  I’m proud to carry them around because I know they are representing my non-toxic lifestyle.  They’re great conversation starters too!  Whenever I’m complimented on the bottle’s design, I mention that it’s made of glass.  Often times, I get a confused and surprised look which is the perfect opportunity for me to educate other and help spread the word about choosing non-toxic products for on-the-go!

I leave you with the thought that if you’re ready to make the switch to a more toxin-free lifestyle, try Lifefactory Glass Bottles when hydrating on-the-go! I honestly think you’ll love the fresh taste of your beverage, they style, and, of course, its warranty J. Show your body and the earth some love…switch to glass!

~ Ivana

Study Finds that Component of Plastic is Associated with Pregnancy Loss

In a study released late last year, researchers from Denmark found a possible link between phthalates in plastics and pregnancy loss:

Women who were exposed to relatively common levels of a particular phthalate were more likely to experience early pregnancy loss than women exposed to lower levels of the phthalate.

Phthalates are compounds used in plastics to make them more flexible, transparent, and durable.  They are commonly used in food packaging, personal products such as perfume and cosmetics, and even children’s toys.  In the Denmark study, the particular phthalate in question is called monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), which is created through metabolic processes as a result of phthalates present in our bodies. 

In the past, studies have examined the results of phthalate exposure in rats and found that such exposure resulted in higher rates of pregnancy loss as well as smaller litters.  This study, however, is the first to look at phthalate exposures in humans. The study began by collecting several urine samples from couples attempting to get pregnant for the first time.  These samples were collected during the women’s last cycle and 10 days after their last cycle before becoming pregnant.  The researchers then tested these samples for levels of different forms of phthalates and collected data on those who experienced pregnancy loss.

After data was collected, the researchers compared the number of women who were exposed to high levels of phthalates to the number of women who experienced pregnancy loss.  Of the 148 women in the study, 48 had experienced pregnancy loss, with 32 of those lost pregnancies were during the first week of pregnancy.  When this data was compared to levels of various phthalates in the urine samples, the researchers found that the women with high levels of MEHP in their urine during the time of conception were more likely to experience pregnancy loss than women with low levels of MEHP in their urine.  However, they found no connection between MEHP levels in urine during their previous cycles and pregnancy loss.  These results lead researchers to deduce that MEHP levels matter the most at the particular time of conception.

For more information on this study, see resources listed below.

While these results are very interesting, this is the first study of phthalates and pregnancy loss involving humans so there is a need for independent studies to test and corroborate these findings.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/12/2012-0111-phthalates-miscarriage/

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103552

The National Children’s Study: Addressing the Debate over BPA

The debate over BPA began several years ago when scientific studies were suggesting that BPA present in our environment could have serious negative effects on our health.  Like any debate, there are at least two sides to a story, or in this case, a study.  In the case against BPA, preliminary research suggests that BPA may cause several health issues; however, most of these studies involve animal test subjects rather than humans, and for this reason some scientists do not believe that BPA could affect us to the same degree.

At ESP, we believe there may be a connection between BPA exposure and our health, which is why we are doing our best to educate consumers and give families a place where they can purchase non-toxic products based on their own beliefs and lifestyles. Our take on BPA can be categorized under the Precautionary Principle: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” In other words, we like to think it’s the “Better Safe than Sorry” principle where based on the research currently available, there are several proactive steps we as consumers can take to reduce our exposure to BPA. 

Currently, there is research underway to give us more insight into BPA under the National Children’s Study.  What makes this study different than one in the past is that it has an observational study that focuses on humans more so than animals.

The goal of this study, which began in 2000, is to “improve the health and well-being of children and contribute to understanding the role various factors have on health and disease.”  These factors include water, diet, environmental pollutants, and more.  The National Children’s Study will be the largest long-term of children’s health ever conducted in the United States.  Over the course of 21 years the study will follow 100,000 children, recording details about their environments and their habits.  The study will be conducted in a variety of locations across the country, including rural and urban populations and populations from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.  All in all, 105 different locations will be used.  With this information scientists will have a wealth of information to draw links between our environment and our health, including the effects of BPA.

After 7 years of planning, the piloting of their study design began in 2007.  Beginning this month the National Children’s Study is ready to begin the first year of their main study.  This is the first major step toward gaining observational data on BPA and our health…and we’ll be keeping our ears and eyes open for any new findings!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/what_the_national_childrens_study_means_to_you/

http://www.sehn.org/wing.html

The Link Between Chemicals and Obesity

Since 2008, about one-third of U.S. adults and almost one-fifth of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 have been classified as obese—both staggering and shocking statistics.  But what if working out and watching what you eat isn’t paying off?  Is there anything else causing obesity out there besides overeating and genetics?  As it turns out, there may be more.  Harmful chemicals, called obesogens, are sneaking into our homes and diets…and ultimately changing the way our body controls weight.

            Obesogens are either natural or man-made chemicals that can alter the way one’s body controls weight, especially during fetal and early development.  Obesogens do this by causing an increase in the number of fat cells, a decrease in calories burned, a resistance to insulin in the liver, and a release of less leptin (responsible for telling your body you are full) from fat cells.  Luckily, the federal government has taken obesogens head on, funding $20 million for further studies on this topic.  But as we wait for updates and new findings, there’s no hurt in starting to avoid obesogens today—starting right at home!   Here is a list of obesogens to help you and your family on the path towards a healthier body and environment!

1.       BPA:  BPA (Bisphenol-A) is commonly found in hard plastics, cans, and, interestingly enough, cashier receipts.  A few simple ways to help reduce your exposure to BPA include choosing glass or stainless steel bottles over plastic, avoiding canned foods, and letting the cashier know you won’t be needing a receipt (which also helps reduce waste!).

2.       Pesticides: The chemicals found in pesticides used for farming are often linked to obesity and diabetes.  To reduce your intake of pesticides, start choosing organic foods!  Studies have shown that after just 5 days of eating organic, you can cleanse your body of almost all pesticide residues.

3.       Atrazine: Faucet water has been found carrying pesticides from the soil surrounding water sources.  The main obesogen pesticide found in tap water, atrazine, slows thyroid hormone metabolism.  Install a granular activated carbon filter on your faucet to filter out that unnecessary weight gain.

4.       High fructose corn syrup: High fructose corn syrup can cause your liver to resist insulin and lessens the amount of leptin released from your fat cells to alert you that you’re full.  Organic and natural sweeteners are better ingredients to be found on food labels.

5.       Polybrominated biphenyls (PCBs):  PCBs work through estrogen receptor pathways and affect the liver—not to mention PCBs have been shown to cause cancer.  Their release into the environment has caused them to bioaccumulate in fish and other animals, so eating lower on the food chain a bit more in your diet can protect you from harmful levels of exposure. Why not try the growing trend of Meatless Monday? This would be a great start!

6.       Soy: Despite its high levels of protein and other healthy attributes, soy promotes fat-cell growth because of its plant-based estrogenic properties.  High doses of this legume and its form of drink cause weight gain.  Babies and children are mostly affected, so it’s best to keep soy away from young children and to offer breast milk to babies over other supplemental drinks.

7.       Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA): If you use non-stick pans coated with PTFE, PFOA may be leaching into your foods.  Found even in microwaveable popcorn bags, PFOA can have a negative impact on your thyroid gland.  Stainless steel and/or cast iron pans are great alternatives to PTFE-coated pans.

8.       Phthalates: Phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals, are common in personal-care products, especially synthetically fragranced products.  Besides being linked to obesity, high levels of phthalates can affect the growth of children.  Take a quick look at the ingredients in your favorite personal care products for “fragrance” or “parfum” and toss them if you find those listed.  Air fresheners and scented candles are culprits too, so natural beeswax candles are a safer alternative.

9.       Organotins:  Harmful organotins can be found in vinyl (some flooring, purses, and shower curtains) and PVC plastics (pipes).  According to a recent study, mice that were exposed to organotin tributyltin bore mice that were predisposed to weight problems.  That said, try to avoid this obesogen by paying attention to what is in your household and cleaning your home on a regular basis, since PVC can hang around household dust.

10.   Nicotene: Babies born to mothers who smoke throughout pregnancy face an increased risk of being obese during their developmental years.  Second-hand smoke is just as important to avoid, and from third-hand-smoke, the toxins that linger in a cigarette after it has been put out still pose health risks, especially to babies and young children.  “There are no safe levels of this stuff,” says Jonathan Winickoff, MD, MPH, at the Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

          I hope this list helps because any step you can take to keep your body obesogen-free is progress towards a healthier and more successful diet.

~ Ivana

Relax! Stress Could Increase Toxic Risks

Here at ESP we are dedicated to keeping you informed on any new chemical research that can help you make educated decisions when purchasing non-toxic products!  So, the most obvious means helping you avoid exposure to chemicals like BPA and PFCs in your food and drink is to purchase non-toxic products like stainless steel cookware, food safe containers, BPA free water bottles, and more kitchen and on-the-go type products.  But because of obvious environmental repercussions and a lifetime of inevitable exposure to some chemicals, we all have traces of toxins in our body.  Yes, it’s a harsh reality but not one that can’t be managed! So now, in addition to being more conscious about what we put into our bodies, we can also be conscious about what’s already in our system.

The answer to helping minimize the effects of toxins in our body is to simply RELAX. 

It is already widely known that stress has the potential to weaken our immune systems, thereby making us sick.  However, as Jane E. Clougherty of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Environmental and Occupational Health explains, “…stress is a nonspecific constellation of physiological effects.”  In other words, stress has the capacity to affect our health in a variety of different and unrelated ways…so stress may facilitate the potentially negative effects of chemicals in our bodies.  Recent research has found that stress can influence the way environmental pollutants and chemicals act in our bodies.  Clougherty and colleagues published research in June of 2010 showing that laboratory rats exposed to pollutants experienced greater respiratory effects when consequently exposed to stress as compared to rats not exposed to pollutants.  The stress made a difference.

While stress can negatively impact us all, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable.  As Dr. Rosalind J. Wright of Harvard Medical Schools explains, “both epidemiological and animal studies show that stress may impact key regulatory systems in the body, throwing them out of balance.  This can happen at any period in life, but if it occurs in a critical stage of development when rapid changes are already taking place—like pregnancy or adolescence—it might have particularly measurable as well as lasting effects.” 

The issue of stress is still largely unexplored in pregnant women and children’s health research.  In January of 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the field a shot in the arm, so to speak, by awarding seven Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research grants to scientists studying the interactions between stress and environmental exposures.  The grants totaled $7 million.

While we wait for the researchers to report back, we can start practicing smarter ways to deal with our stress.  Here are some of my favorite methods:

1.      Exercise – run around and burn off some steam!

2.      Breathe deep – it will give your body and mind time to relax

3.      Smile – you might feel silly, but I guarantee you will also feel happy J

4.      Take a walk – sometimes the best way to deal with a stressful situation is to take a break from it

5.      Cut back on the java – caffeine affects our quality of sleep, which in turn will lead to more stress

Good luck staying stress and chemical free!  And let us know if you have any good relaxation inducing tips!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.119-a430

How to Pack a Green and Non-Toxic Lunch from LiveESP.com

How to Pack a Green and Non-Toxic Lunch from LiveESP.com