Corn Intolerance - weird question

[kjbrown92]

For those of you who don't know my story, DD2 has a corn intolerance (among others). She used to react with eczema. In the fall, she started reacting by getting "folliculitis". After two rounds of antibiotics and it came back each time, I looked for hidden source of her allergens, and found corn in her probiotics. So...

My dad's girlfriend gave her this magic wand for Christmas that has little pellets in them, that bubble and color the bathwater. There are two sources of corn in them (citric acid is one of them) and it's all artificial colors. I'm not worried about her drinking the bathwater (though it wouldn't be the first time), but what do you think of her sitting in bathwater that has "corn" in it? Last year, she reacted with eczema (on her legs) after playing with cornstarch at preschool (making some glue stuff). Since then, she has played with corn kernels at her new preschool and had no reaction (that I saw).

I already hid the bathtub wand/colors saying I had to make sure it was safe. Every day she asks if she can have a bath, so she hasn't forgotten about it yet (though I'm still hopeful). Should I just let her use it? Or do you think my wariness is warranted?

[mtn.mama]

No, I wouldn't allow it.

[momofmine]

I wouldn't either. Is the wand something that you could dump the stuff out and wash it really well and let her play with that in the bath, with some safer bubbles maybe, or just plain water?

[nalo]

oh man....completely soaking in corn? i wouldn't risk it. could you figure out some safe way to color the water for her? even just dump some fresh squeezed blueberry juice or something??? just a thought. (not sure how well your tub will react though... )

[Panserbjorne]

eeek. nope. I agree that we can help brainstorm fun alternatives though! I nominate DoulaMary! Let the festivities begin!

[kjbrown92]

Blueberry juice (at least she can have that!) -- should I be more worried that it would stain the tub? or her?

They're little pellets like you get in Easter egg dying kits. So the wand is actually separate. Right now Castille soap is the only thing that I'm bathing her in because I was paranoid after the whole "folliculitis" episode (by the way, this was a present from the person that thinks I worry too much about what they eat and it's perfectly normal for kids to scream at night...).

[mommydancer]

Beets have a ton of color. Mulberries. Dishsoap for bubbles? Geez. It sucks to have to nix a present. Can the family run gifts by you ahead of time?

I should probably look forward to a bunch of this myself. The inlaws filled DS's pockets with candy the other day. I get to be the one pulling it out of his little pockets once he's in the car, as he screams "NOOOOO mama, I want the caaaandy! I want my candy!" He didin't even know it was for eating, and he was that upset.:

Oh, and as they scream at night, i suppose the right thing for you to be doing is let them "Cry It Out"? I am sure this person has happy, well attached children...

[kjbrown92]

She's never been tested for mulberries.... and I wouldn't know where to get them... or what they look like.

BEETS?!?! When I peel and cut them to make them, they turn my hands red for two days. I can't imagine her soaking in them. That would be funny. Maybe I could do that the day before Valentine's Day and I could say she's cupid! You guys are too funny today!

[nalo]

Yeah, in all honesty I cannot come up with a good idea that wouldn't stain both child and tub. I'll keep thinking though.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

BEETS?!?! When I peel and cut them to make them, they turn my hands red for two days. I can't imagine her soaking in them. That would be funny.

That WOULD be funny. Maybe you should do that, and then take her to visit the people that gave her the corn wand... he he he. And say, "See?! Look what your stupid present did to my kid! She's pink!"

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by DoulaMary

Yeah, in all honesty I cannot come up with a good idea that wouldn't stain both child and tub. I'll keep thinking though.

Me neither. But it's fun conspiring!

[Ruthla]

Nope, I wouldn't risk it. I won't even let other people in my family use soaps that contain oatmeal, in case it's not fully rinsed out and I get contaminated the next time I take a bath!

Is there any way she could play with the magic wand, just as a magic wand, away from water, with all the corn and colors staying safe inside the plastic casing?

[kjbrown92]

I'm chucking the colors, and I'll let her play with the magic wand (but I'll wait a while so that she forgets that colors came with it).

I really like the idea about the beet juice and bringing her to my father's house and telling them it's what happened to her. That would be SO AWESOME. I probably wouldn't be able to keep a straight face though. I'm a horrible liar. But man, it would be funny to see their faces. If only I could pull it off. With my luck, she'd have a reaction to something else and I'd have to bring her to a doctor and have to explain it all.

[Chinese Pistache]

I'd pour in some Dr. Bronner's for bubbles and nix the colors, too. And to the gift giver that thinks it's normal for kids to scream at night.

[Panserbjorne]

I know!!! My response to that (which I'm sure you have seen me post before, but in case you haven't ) is always, "really? It's biologically normal for kids to scream at night? Cause I'm pretty sure if it was we'd be extinct. No way better to attract predators than to tell them EXACTLY where you are!"

Back in the day that would not have flown. Screaming infants would have been pretty much on their own far away from the tribe. Sad, but true.

[leila1213]

Ironically, I saw a news story about a woman who was fined (arrested?) for dying her poodle pink with beet juice. Against animal cruelty laws.

[kjbrown92]

So you're telling me I can't dye my kid pink? Aww. You're no fun.
Hmm... sarcasm might not come through on here.

I'm not going to do anything to dye the water that will dye her as well.

Yeah, tantrums are normal. Bedwetting is normal (for a 7 year old). Projectile vomiting bile at every meal is normal (for a 2 week old). Rashes are normal. Folliculitis has to be from something else before food. I know, I know, I'm a nut to think they're all food related. But the weirdest thing happens when I take out the food.... they become normal children with no problems. Really, really weird. But I'm sure it's not the food.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

I know!!! My response to that (which I'm sure you have seen me post before, but in case you haven't ) is always, "really? It's biologically normal for kids to scream at night? Cause I'm pretty sure if it was we'd be extinct. No way better to attract predators than to tell them EXACTLY where you are!"

Back in the day that would not have flown. Screaming infants would have been pretty much on their own far away from the tribe. Sad, but true.

You actually haven't posted that before (not that I've read anyway), but for my taste, you can repeat yourself as often as you like

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

So you're telling me I can't dye my kid pink? Aww. You're no fun.
Hmm... sarcasm might not come through on here.

I'm not going to do anything to dye the water that will dye her as well.

Yeah, tantrums are normal. Bedwetting is normal (for a 7 year old). Projectile vomiting bile at every meal is normal (for a 2 week old). Rashes are normal. Folliculitis has to be from something else before food. I know, I know, I'm a nut to think they're all food related. But the weirdest thing happens when I take out the food.... they become normal children with no problems. Really, really weird. But I'm sure it's not the food.

In case your kids don't tell you as often as you'd like, you're a really good mom:

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

So you're telling me I can't dye my kid pink? Aww. You're no fun.
Hmm... sarcasm might not come through on here.

I'm not going to do anything to dye the water that will dye her as well.

No, I'm telling you that you would get charged with animal cruelty if you did it to your pet, but that doing it to your child probably wouldn't even be a blip on the radar.

[jennert]

my dad once let us put food coloring in our bathwater. i was 6, my brother 5. mom was away for the weekend. we chose blue. my mother came home to smurfs. it's funny now, but at the time!