Temporary Tattoos ... go figure!
This particular brand is "Creative Options Temporary Glitter Tattoos". They are cute and fun and they were bought specifically as a "treat" in place of preservative riddled food. Never even crossed my mind that they'd be loaded with Artificial preservatives and Artificial colors that would be absorbed through her skin. (btw: total DUH + AGH moment!)
So, my girl applies 2 of these adorable tattoos and then off we go to celebrate a birthday of a friend. Of course, we head to the party with our own little goodie bag for Jessica with Horizon Organic Milk, 100% Natural Juicy Juice, All Natural Baked Lays potato chips & some Nature's Promise Teddy Grahams. What could go wrong?!
After a short time, I start to notice the telltale sign of red-rimmed eyelids & sunken looking eyes. Then the fidgeting starts...following shortly by a sharp-tongued snap at a fellow party-goer...completely out of character for my sweet & compassionate friend. As we return home spouting the typical: "Stop fussing" ... "Sit still" ... "Leave your brother alone" ... we also start with the: "Ok...so what did she eat or drink?!"
Shortly after I walk in the door of our house, contemplating what she might have gotten her hands on, I see it: "Ingredients: Acrylates/VA Copolymer, Ethyl Acetate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, FD&CYellow #5, Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1, Aluminum Lake, D&C Red #7, Calcium Lake"
facepalm
ps: Googling Aluminum Lake = some scary information...here's a few:
"Aluminum Lake food coloring, used to heavily coat liquid medicines for children, contains dangerous amounts of aluminum and harmful synthetic petrochemicals. These "petrochemicals" are carcinogens containing petroleum, antifreeze and ammonia, which cause a long list of adverse reactions. Aluminum poisoning can lead to short and long term central nervous system (CNS) damage, such as memory impairments, autism, epilepsy, mental retardation, and dementia.:
"FD& C Yellow Aluminum Lake is known to be a reproductive toxin and
hazardous to the nervous system. Also known as tartrazine, it's a
suspected cause of asthma, dermatitis, and other allergic and
inflammatory responses."
That is just scary, especially the Aluminum Lake information. I will definitely watch out for that. Hopefully, you'll be able to find some safe tattoos.
ReplyDeleteI went to buy cough medicine for Josh tonight and could not find one without sucralose (which causes me intense abdominal pain, so I don't want to give it to him). What do you give Jessica, since those medicines are full of artificial colors and flavors? I decided to just rub some Vicks on his chest. I know honey usually works pretty well for him, too. There were a few homeopathic medicines at CVS, too. Have you tried any of those?
I actually don't use any of the over-the-counter medicines either for myself or for the kids, except those homeopathic ones. I stopped using them years ago because they didn't seem to do any good...and then Jessica's issues just sort of solidified that thinking.
ReplyDeleteFor pain relief & fever reduction, we taught Jess to swallow pills young because the only thing that doesn't have any colors or preservatives are the Regular Strength Tylenol (or ever the store brand acetaminophen). But for coughs, sore throats and colds, we stick with the homeopathic ones or just straight up home-made remedies.
This winter I had a crazy sore throat myself. The best remedy I used was: 1 cup of hot tea mixed with a tablespoon of honey, 2 cloves & a menthol Ricola cough-drop was the only thing that helped (and the recipe was given to me by my Dr).
In doing some research on natural medicines, Honey, Ginger, Cinnamon & Oregano Oil are worth looking into!
@ Jessica- my son has many sensitivities as well. we also taught him to swallow pills early. for cough, we have used thieves oil, which is a combo of several oils. its strong so we blend a few drops w a carrier, I use olive oil, and rub on the chest before bed... works great! good luck, it is so challenging to find solutions without chemicals, preservatives or dyes!
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