Posted by Savneet Singh on Jun.05, 2010

ⓒ iStockPhoto - ktaylorg

Children get allergic reactions every now and then. Some children may be affected severely and some others may be mildly depending upon the sensitivity of the child. Symptoms of allergic reactions include sinus congestion, redness, skin rash, headache, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea or vomiting. Signs like vomiting, unconsciousness and obstructed airways require urgent medical attention.

The reactions generally come without any warning signs until the specific allergen causing allergic reaction is identified. However, identifying specific allergens or substance that cause contact dermatitis and a local skin irritation may be quite complicated. Physicians use patch tests to identify the offending substance.

Here are few natural remedies for some of the allergic skin problems common in children.

Garlic Syrup

This syrup helps to purify the bloodstream, strengthen the immune system and reduces the severity of allergic attacks for nasal allergies. This may keep allergic reactions from being so severe and may even stop some of them completely.

10 small cloves of garlic, peeled
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup cider vinegar
3 cups brown sugar

Dice garlic cloves and combine them with vinegar and water. Store this in a tight lid jar.

Shake vigorously and store for 4 hours.

When mixture is ready, discard garlic.

Put the strained liquid in a pot and add brown sugar. Heat it for 10 minutes, until the sugar dissolves.

Pour the mixture in glass jar. Keeps about 6 months.

To use, give 1 tablespoon 3 times a day, 1 hour after each meal, until the nasal congestion is relieved. Children generally get relief from sinus infection in a week or so.

Reduce the dosage if child complains severely about the taste. You may observe mild skin rashes, sweating, strong-smelling urine and mild muscle aches and pain if you use it for more than a weak. This is because the garlic act as natural cleanser and helps in overcoming many allergic reactions. Consult a physician in case allergic reaction does not improve after a week or so.

Contact Dermatitis

If your child has mild dermatitis, you can use any of the treatments listed here.

Rose-Almond Oil Treatment

1 ounce of dried rose petals (you ccan also use 2 ounces of fresh rose leaves, but make sure that they have not been sprayed with insecticides)
2 cups sweet almond oil

Combine the rose petals and almond oil in a glass jar with a lid.

Keep the jar in direct sunlight for a day or you can bake it in oven on 200F for 3-4 hours.

Strain out the rose petals and discard them. What you have now is a pale yellow oil having strong smell of rose. It can stored for 6 months in a air-tight glass jar.
How to use it- Apply this mixture to the child’s skin generously wherever you find rashes, mild itching and redness right after bath. Relief usually comes after 2 days.
Consult a physician in case allergic reaction does not improve after a week or so.

Food Bath

If your infant is coming down with skin irritation, you can give her the food bath. This bath soothes mildly irritated, dry or flaky skin in infants and can be used to treat contact dermatitis, chicken pox, poison ivy, eczema, dry skin and sunburns. A bath tea made from oats and barley makes skin feel softer and tender, dries up excretions and speeds skin regeneration.

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup pearled barley
2 quarts water
Combine the oats, barley and water in large covered pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain out the oats and barley. Either discard that or save in refrigerator for breakfast or to use as thickener for soups and stews.

Pour the water into the tub while the water is running so it will be well combined. Make sure the temperature of the bathwater is not too hot after adding the food water. The bathwater will be milky and have a grain-like smell.

Bathe the infants for 20 minutes once each day until skin clears, usually 3-5 days. If not required, don’t use soap. Pat dry.

Infant Cradle Cap

Infants usually have flaking skin after birth. This happens because of the exposure to dry air. A virgin olive oil baby oil may give comfort in 3-4 days. But if this cradle cap persists you can switch to a herbal shampoo or try this herbal remedy.

Comfrey Bath

1 quart water
2 ounces cut, dried comfrey roots
washcloth

Boil water and comfrey roots in a covered pan.

Simmer the roots for 20 minutes. Strain out root pieces and discard them. You will be left with dark brown liquid, with a gummy, syruplike consistency.

Let the rinse cool to tepid before using. You refrigerate for next time but make sure to warm it to bring it to skin temperature. Discard the leftovers after 4 days.

To use, dip the wash cloth in the warm rinse and gently pat it onto the infant’s scalp or dry skin or bathe the scalp with the mixture after you have shampooed. The baby is going to like if it is warm. Air dry the scalp. Repeat this procedure each night until symptoms disappear. It usually take a week or 10 days. Consult pediatrician if condition does not improve after 10 days

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Posted under Beauty, Natural Beauty.