Toddler's hair is breaking off in back. Help.

[mtn.mama]

The pedi-GI suggested that its because she's not absorbing minerals well due to reflux and wrote her a script for a PPI and VSL#3. Long story short, DD's been through the wringer with multiple food and chemical non-IgE mediated allergies since birth and reflux. The reflux has faded since she finally started ingesting a little solid food, perhaps its still operating in the background, but I think we have all her allergies weeded out.

She's been on probiotics since 3 weeks old with the exception of the last couple months. The ND suggested a break to let her gut find its own balance. I didn't start her on the reflux meds or the VSL#3 because the crystal says no to both, both appear to have corn.

She's lost most of the enamel on her front top 5 teeth and her hair is breaking/coarse in back. She started taking liquid minerals a couple weeks ago, takes Calc. Phos. 3x daily, beta-carotene drops, liquid D and sometimes liquid zinc. I haven't found a multi that's safe for her.

Ideas?

[WuWei]

Mama, I wouldn't do the PPI. It has been associated with *increased* allergy development. PPI change the gut ph in the *wrong* direction for beneficial bacteria to thrive. It alters the ability of the digestive enzymes to exist in the stomach. So food is less well digested and deposits whole proteins into the intestines which cause all kinds of leaky gut inflamation. PPI's negatively impact immune function. Here is more info. Please do print off the articles and share them with your pediatric GI. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...59&postcount=3

Have you tried Gripe Water or Tum-ease? I'm not sure about all the ingredients. But, basically it is fennel and ginger. Maybe some ginger tea?

Have you tried water kefir? A bifidum bacteria? Kombucha? Rotating the probiotics is preferable, I agree. But, I wouldn't do no probiotics! She is nursing which is important for bifidum. And what about raw honey? It promotes growth of bifidum.

I'd honestly go see a classical homeopath before I'd do medicines for a baby.

What about fermented CLO? It has many natural and complex vitamins. The water kefir has many vitamins, enzymes to help digestion of proteins, and prebiotics.

Are you doing any grains? Soaking whole grains is easy with the Sue Gregg blender batter method. You can do gluten-free: http://www.suegregg.com/recipes/brea...erwafflesA.htm

Can you do coconut? Cocobiotics is rich in probiotics and the benefits of Young Thai coconut milk. https://shop.bodyecology.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BE301

Are you doing coconut oil? It helps bifidum to grow. AND the medium chain fatty acids improve the ph of the gut for beneficial bacteria, and retards yeast development.

What about bone broths for nutrients? You can add fruits and vegetables to it for additional vitamins and minerals.

And what about magnesium? Can you do Baby Calm? http://www.absolutelythepurest.com/s...calm-baby.html Bone broths have phosphorus, magnesium and calcium! http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/broth.html

What about homemade raw goat's milk yogurt? Cultured A2 casein dairy is totally different than homogenized, pasteurized A1 cow dairy casein. Let me know if you need more info about this. It is easy to make with no yogurt maker! Easily digested for many that are intolerant to dairy, due to the natural enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics.

Have you tried Bubbies pickles? Ds loves the bread and butter pickles. There are naturally fermented probiotics in the vegetables.

There are some yeast killing foods to include. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...&postcount=648

And focus on alkalizing foods. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...&postcount=720


I know that all sounds much harder than PPI and VSL#3. But, those don't *correct* the source of the problem. The problem doesn't 'go away' with those medications. The imbalanced gut ph leads to more allergies, eczema, asthma, infections, illness, etc. Just tackle one new idea a week.


You are the mama! You know what your baby needs more than any stomach "expert". :

Pat

[kangaroomum25]

second all that pp said, especially bone broths.

[WuWei]

Here is one more informative article. Everything you wanted to know about enzyme digestion of proteins (and more!): http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio115/pepsin.htm



Pat

[mtn.mama]

I grow goats, so we have raw kefir and raw filmjolk. Also constant kombucha. But the baby doesn't use these, just me. She hardly eats or drinks anything, though perhaps its slowly improving. I do soak most of our non-grains. We have bone broth a few times a week. We both eat coconut oil out of the jar. We can't do Baby Calm nor any magnesium supplements I've found. Pickles are banned from our house. My stool test said I don't have a yeast problem, and I don't think the child does either.

I guess I'm wondering if she does still have a reflux problem, and if she does, could it cause the hair breaking (and if she doesn't then what is causing it). And what do I do about the reflux as a long term measure.... I'll start her back on probx tonight and see if the ND has a direction for us next week.

[WuWei]

When I search for brittle hair, here are some differential diagnoses. I saw hypothyroid, vit A deficiency, low fat diet, vit B deficiency, iron deficiency, Omega 3 deficiency...as possibilities.
http://en.diagnosispro.com/different...33962-154.html


What about baby having CLO, kefir directly?

Correcting the gut ph with probiotics could absolutely resolve the reflux. Additionally, foods high in potassium help gastric function as it improves peristaltic movements.


Pat

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

I guess I'm wondering if she does still have a reflux problem, and if she does, could it cause the hair breaking (and if she doesn't then what is causing it). And what do I do about the reflux as a long term measure.... I'll start her back on probx tonight and see if the ND has a direction for us next week.

Have you been following the tongue tie discussions? Especially the ones about posterior ties and peristalsis? I remember reflux coming up as often co-existing, not sure if you've ever considered tt.

[Panserbjorne]

if she's refluxing it's a symptom and not an actual diagnosis. There are several things that happen when a child is refluxing and one of which is, of course and inability to properly assimilate minerals.

You are giving calc phos...as a remedy or a salt? If she can handle the salts then I'd be doing calc flour, calc phos and silica. Silica's main action is to assist with assimilation of minerals. The calc's have direct action on the tooth structure and enamel.

I would second the homeopath, but also a good body worker. A pediatric CST would be my first choice. IF she *IS* refluxing her diaphragm is likely torqued, her vagus nerve could be compressed and it becomes a vicious cycle. As is, even if the trigger is somehow resolved the body is still out of alignment and continuing to reflux.

My other thought just so you have it is that reflux meds dont' stop reflux....they simply coat the throat to make it less damaging *to the throat* but it's still happening and still damaging OTHER things-not to mention creating a pretty major imbalance. You could accomplish the same thing with slippery elm bark powder which is safe and nourishing as well as healing.

In terms of the hair...I think that will resolve when her absorption increases. Zinc would be a major factor in hair integrity as is MSM and a variety of other vitamins. Supplementing them *may* help but really it's best to fix the underlying issues and focus on nutrient dense food for now. If you can't do babycalm then think about epsom salt soaks. Just as effective and great for allergy prone kidlets.

HTH.

[Panserbjorne]

what does the crystal say to the beta carotene drops?

[mtn.mama]

Thanks. The crystal says she needs the beta-carotene drops. We did CLO for like a year, but then we both sensitized to it. I like the idea of epsom salt soaks. I've tried slippery elm with her before, but getting most things into her mouth just doesn't work. I take it daily though.

We've done alot of CST. She is a different child because of it. We're seeing an ENT on the 18th, so I'll get us in for CST on the way home. I do suspect a posterior tie. She also has diastasis recti which "feels" to me like it could effect reflux. She takes the cell salts, so I'll integrate in the Calc Fluor and Silica.

I'm sure we both need more fatty acids, but again, how to get them into the child? The crystal says no fish oil and she can't do seeds. It might let us have borage oil...

Ya know, my hair broke until I was in my twenties. When I look back at photos I was a sickly child and OBVIOUSLY needed a specialized diet, but no one picked up on it. My mother was on abx for 5 months of the pregnancy. And I used to think I had GREAT genes... healthy as a horse and all that. Gah. Talk about a paradigm shift. I hope Taslyn's kids get a better start.

[Panserbjorne]

will you humor me? Can you crystal test both of you for iodine?

[mtn.mama]

Okay. So I went downstairs and fished through my veterinary supplies tote... and came up with Hoegger's Iodine Udder Wash. Heh, active ingredients: iodine 00.88% and inert ingredients: 99.12% (doesn't say what but I suspect water?). And the answer is.............................................


















Yes, we NEED it, on both counts. How did you know that? And how do we get it into our diets? FireFaery, you are a shining star!

[Panserbjorne]

your hair breaking into your twenties was a big tip off. That along with the allergies does point to thyroid issues and your thyroid can't regulate without.....iodine!

I prefer to supplement and use iodoral. Kelp is another source, but make sure you have a clean source if you go that route.

get some betadine and paint it on your belly and hers in a 4x4 square. It should remain for 24 hours. The faster it disappears the more deficient you are. The more deficient you are the less likely it is that a food source will correct things fast enough to make a difference.

Try it out and we can chat more once you have a decent grasp on where you are. You can also do a 24 hour urine test with a loading dose. Much more accurate at around $125 and always an option...but the skin painting will give you some info (as did the crystal!)

[mtn.mama]

You are fabulous! Off to find the betadine, and I'll be back in 24 hours to let you know how our test went... THANK YOU!

[mtn.mama]

Now I have to wonder aloud if this could be why I insanely crave salty potato chips... we shall see...

[Panserbjorne]

salt craving is the body searching for minerals. I'm sure it's a large part of it!

[mtn.mama]

Well, we're six hours into the test, and my daughter's iodine patch has faded away. Mine is still noticeable, but I doubt it will be there in another six.

I've been sprinkling nori in food lately, but it looks to be a minor source of iodine. I feed my chickens kelp, so our eggs are probably good... I should be putting it out for the goats too. I cook for our dogteam, so they get it daily too. Hmmm. Looks like the critters are faring better than we are.

So I've got dulse and kombu and hijiki in the pantry... I'll get sea veggies into our menu, and use the crystal to find a supplement next time we go to town.

Do you suggest I have the ND officially test us? Or do you have other ideas for us?

Lisa

[Chinese Pistache]

Wow. This discussion is so fascinating.

[ellasmama2007]

i am so blown away by this thread - ff you are so good at this, seriously!
this maybe a mute point now but i was reading in nourishing traditions last night, mtn.mama and i thought of taslyn. "it is magnesium, not calcium, that helps form hard tooth enamel....found in dairy products, nuts, vegetables, seafood, meat, broths....a diet high in carbs, oxas and phytic acid can cause deficiencies...chocolate cravings are a sign of mag deficiency." i know this was sorta covered already, but i thought i'd mention it again.

also, i take the vsl3 and havent noticed a problem for dd who cant do corn. i havent given it to her directly though and dont know if she is hypersensitive to corn or not ( i never sneak it into our diet except for the vsl3).

[chlobo]

I found kelp at my whole foods. would that work for the painted iodine test?