Petroleum jelly is my Windex for skin care

Petroleum jelly (white petrolatum, USP 100%) is a simple product with many uses, mainly as a skin protectant. You can find it as an active ingredient (it is also an inactive ingredient in many ointments) in tubs (3.75 to 13 ounces), tubes, scented (baby fresh or lavender) or not, store brand or Vaseline brand. Store brand is just as good as the Vaseline brand and is usually priced lower (unless the Vaseline brand is on sale). I chose to pay 50 cents more not to have it scented.

My 10 month-old has bad eczema behind his chubby knees, and occasionally you can see him use his right foot to scratch his left knee. The solution? Bathing in colloidal oatmeal and slathering him with petroleum jelly. I was getting discouraged when it didn't seem to be working, but then again I wasn't exactly slathering. His pediatrician did not even examine the eczema when I brought him in on Monday; he just ordered more oatmeal baths and jelly. No prescription for a topical steroid. Shhhh, I have sparingly applied 0.5% hydrocortisone cream once or twice, but it was only a temporary fix. So back to the oatmeal and jelly. Lo and behold, slathering the greasy stuff really works!

But wait, didn't I also use dollops of this jelly on his circumcision wound? How about when he had those minor diaper rashes? Oh yes, I used this under his neck and armpits when they're red. When it was windy and cold, I smeared it on his cheeks to keep from chafing. My daughter likes to dab some on her lips. Heck, I've been using it on my own eczema on my right hand. Some people use it as a beauty product for hair growth and smooth skin. What do you use it for?

Happy Poison Prevention Week!

Yes, this is one of my favorite topics to talk about. In my home, I have made sure that the shampoos and detergents are out of my kids' reach. The closet door to the rest of the cleaning supplies is locked. I moved the medicines out of my top vanity drawer and placed them on a high shelf that I can barely reach myself. Of course, I checked to make sure none of them are expired. By the way, if you do have expired medicines, don't flush it all down the toilet. The EPA might come after you! Kidding, and ok, the Poison Control Center still recommends that you flush them, but think about the controversy about the water pollution not too long ago. It might be better to wrap and seal the medicines in various layers with plastic baggies and/or old containers and then throw them out in the trash. Here are some good tips about how to get rid of old medicines.

What are you doing to teach your kids about poison prevention? I'm going to try some of these lessons.

Candy is dandy, but medicine may not be

As tempting as it may be, do not tell children that medicine is candy to trick them into taking it. While you are busy with something else, your child may be opening the bottle and popping the "candy" or feeding it to a younger sibling. Maybe you can see the imprints on the "candy," but to a young child, the letters and numbers are meaningless. To them the pills look like the candy they like, so it must be candy. Next week is Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21) and every parent should take the time to make sure the home is poison-proof to prevent accidental ingestions. Poisons could be in the form of medicines, plants, cleaning supplies, batteries, makeup, carbon monoxide, and many others. Be sure to lock cabinet doors or place items where young ones cannot reach. If your curious toddler got into something, just call 1-800-222-1222, even if you are not 100% sure. These experts will take your call 24/7. Don't try to make your child vomit; that could cause more harm. If your child is breathing funny or is unconscious, call 911. Need tips on how to get your kids to take medicine? Talk to your pharmacist, or try these tips.

Is this a joke?

I was doing last minute research for my manuscript on the newer rotavirus vaccine and stumbled upon this "product approval information" on the FDA's web site. I'm not sure if these emails were intended to be posted, but here they are. I had to chuckle. What's the point, you ask? Well, not everything posted on the internet is useful and please preview before you post online. Enjoy!

Sticky situation

This is one of the few times when having a food allergy works in your favor - not getting salmonella! Since my husband has a known peanut allergy, we have never stocked food with peanuts or peanut-butter. Well, my daughter just recently tested negative for a peanut allergy using peanut butter from a major brand. She actually did well and liked it then, but she doesn't anymore. She says "it's too sticky." I'm glad I didn't buy a variety of snacks with peanut butter, because I probably would have to throw out a lot of food. I subscribe to updates from the FDA and CDC, and I have been getting a swarm of emails everyday about new recalls. Check if what you have is being recalled with this list. Read more about Salmonella here. You can even blog about the recall. My recommendation? Just throw it all out to be safe! It's not worth the diarrhea, fever, and and abdominal cramps, especially if your child has a weakened immune system.

Oh, and don't buy one of those cute little turtles you see in a little plastic container from the street vendors - they harbor salmonella, too!