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What Effect Would A Wet Wipes Ban Have On Ostomates?

You may have seen the news recently and the talk of the Government banning wet wipes.  With the current focus on the environment, recyclable products are much more in favour at the moment.  Wet wipes contain non-biodegradable plastics, are single use and cannot be recycled.  Despite warnings on the packet, they are still flushed down the toilet and account for over 90% of material sewage blockages according to Water UK*.  

Much of the focus in the media has been on parents – one of the biggest uses of wet wipes tend to be when changing a child’s nappy and cleaning mucky hands and faces.  But as an ostomate it made me wonder what we would do, should this ban come into fruition.  

Stoma Bag Changing Routine

I generally change my bag every evening when I have my shower.  Not all ostomates change this often but I get sore skin if I leave my bag on for too long.  My general routine involves:

  1. Cut my new bag to size and get out all the things I need
  2. Remove stoma bag using adhesive remover spray
  3. Clean the area with a wet wipe
  4. Use an adhesive remover wipe to remove any bits of the adhesive from the bag stuck on skin
  5. Clean the area again with a wet wipe to remove any fonal traces of output and adhesive remover
  6. Dry well with a dry wipe
  7. Spray ostomy barrier spray
  8. When dry, place clean bag over stoma and press down firmly
  9. Attach baseplate extenders if required

Check out mine and Ste’s STOMA BAG CHANGE RACE on YouTube

Using Wet Wipes During A Bag Change

The wet wipes I use during a bag change are provided by my delivery company, Bullens.  I have also used baby wipes before, although some people don’t suggest this.  My wipes are not flushed down the toilet, I dispose of them in the rubbish bag with the rest of my waste. 

I recently ran a poll on Twitter to see what other people used to clean their stoma during a bag change.

Just over half of all the ostomates who responded to my poll use some form of wet wipe – either a baby wipe or one of the complimentary wet wipes provided by their stoma su[pplies delivery company.

   

There were some great points made relating to the poll including:

  • Baby wipes aren’t always ideal for use around the stoma site as they can leave residue
  • Different things affect people’s skin differently and what wiorks for one may not work for another
  • Check the wipes you are using are meant for the skin and not bathroom surfaces – many of these contain bleach
  • Trio Heathcare recommended using their adhesive remover wipes over baby wipes.  Order your sample here

So What Can We Use Instead?

Luckily there are lots of different things we can use to clean our stoma area.

Dry Wipes

I use dry wipes to dry the area around my stoma after cleaning.  These can also be used damp to clean the area.  As there are no chemicals used, this can help prevent sore skin and residue that means your bag will not stick properly

Adhesive Remover Wipes

Use these to help remove any sticky residue from the bag baseplate without having to scrub which can irritate the skin.  You could also use the adhesive remover spray with a dry wipe if preferred

Reusable Soft Cloths

I found these cloths in Primark and they were really inexpensive.  I use them to wash my face and to remove my makeup.  They are super soft though and could be used damp to clean your stoma area, before being placed in the wash to reduce waste.

Shower

I like to remove my bag before I shower so I can give my skin some bag free time.  Rather than cleaning the area before you get ihn, you can use the shower to clean the area around your stoma.  Warm water is recommended as it does not contain anything which could irritate your skin.  Do not use any shower gels too close to your stoma, as this may cause irritation or prevent the bag from sticking due to the residue they leaves behind.

No Need To Panic!

The media are very accomplished at causing panic but I really don’t think there needs to be one about this!  For both ostomates and parents there are many alternatives, and it would be great for companies to start coming up with more environmentally friendly options for us all, this may give them the push they need.  

I hope you enjoyed reading my post and the alternatives to wet wipes will be useful to you.  I would love to hear what you use in the comments and if there is anything I should add to my list

You can see more of my posts over on my blog – The Spoonie Mummy

*Reference – https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/wet-wipe-ban-uk-opportunity-end-flushaway-culture/

 

The post What Effect Would A Wet Wipes Ban Have On Ostomates? appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Effect of Using Eczema Soap

Definitely, people who doesn’t have any background with medicine, may have difficulty dealing with eczema.It is an old wives tale that bathing should be avoided specially if you have skin problems for the reason that it can only aggravate the condition. On the other hand, medical practitioners are shifting that old habit and they do suggest to their patients that bathing will not cause harm but rather, it helps moisturize the skin. Commit to memory that chalky skin can intensify eczema.

Using herbs and natural oils are effective treatment and natural cures for eczema. They have the properties of enhancing the skins defense from various substances which causes allergic reactions. Aside from those mentioned, oatmeal is also effective especially if used as a bath. If you are going to use soap, do not use soaps containing fragrances and other ingredients which could trigger eczema. The natural ways are preferred since they do not have side-effects and they are also less expensive. Do not also take a bath in warmer water. Use lukewarm water and avoid rubbing the skin. Rubbing the rashes would only cause further irritation and in some cases, infections.

To help moisturized the skin, it is important to take a bathe regularly at least once a day.You can apply creams and emollients but it is more advisable to use coconut oil and olive oil as alternatives after you shower to replenish your skin. Eczema in babies is treated the same way so you must be gentle in giving them bath for they have delicate skin. Herbal treatments come in the form of herbal extracts include neem, wormwood, kutki, camphor, sandalwood, spearmint, carrot, papaya seeds and muskmelon. Certainly, these herbs are effective in the management of eczema.

Most industrial soaps nowadays have harsh ingredients which could lead to rashes, allergic reactions, and sometimes discomfort that could escalate the skin condition. These contents can reduce the natural oils in our skin. Dove is one of the commercial soaps which are designed for sensitive skin. If you’re on a budget, you can make your own soap that is effective in treating eczema.. With pure natural soap, you can supply your skin with the nutrients it needs to fight the allergens that causes eczema.

Here are the steps in developing your own homemade eczema soap.

1.  Do the melt and pour method. Take the soap base then melt it at low heat. If you are using the cold process, you can add water into lye (sodium hydroxide) with three is to one proportion then mix thoroughly.
2.  Add in avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and palm oil. Follow the ratio 1: 0.8: 0.5: 0.5: 3: 2 Respectively.
3.  Make sure that you heat everthing. Suggested heat level is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.4.  Pour the mixture into a molder and put it in the freezer after couple of minutes.
5.  After freezing the soap, you can now start using it.

Certainly, you can make your own soap utilizing herbs and oils as ingredients.These will provide your skin extra protection and supply nutrients to make it healthy.

Find out more about eczema in babies. We provide comprehensive information about the causes and natural cures for eczema. Visit our site today.

 

Benefit of holistic treatment has a lasting effect

Is there a connection between the eating habits and stress? The answer is “Yes”. There is a direct connection between these two. When a person gets tensed, he/ she tend to munch more. Unnatural and abnormal eating habits are categorized under eating disorders. These include eating less, over-eating, as well as bingeing and purging etc. these disorders have highest mortality rate, in comparison with other habits. These can lead to various other illnesses related to malnutrition due to less eating and high pressure or cardiac diseases related to obesity due to overeating. Most of the patients do not acknowledge their disorder and they continue with it for long time until it is discovered by others or until it creates problem for them. Once this problem is detected, a hunt for eating disorder rehab gets started.

There are various types of rehabs, which follow different types of approach. Some of the rehabs may emphasis more on reforming the mind set to overcome the problem completely along with the medical treatment. Some rehabs follow Christian believes and enhance spiritual up-liftment of the soul by preaching the teachings from Holy Bible. Whereas some follow a holistic approach which aims at overall development and cure of their client! There are private rehabs which are vowed to keep their clients’ history and identity a secret. But one thing is common amongst all these rehabs is, types of treatments they offer. There are two types of recovery treatment offered, out of which one is the out- patient and the other one is residential.

Out- patient treatment involves visits to counselors, medical experts and other therapists. Particular time is allocated to each patient and then the patient can resume to his duties. The other type has a higher rate of success than the earlier one.They are the eating disorder treatment centers. This treatment requires the patient to remain in the rehab for a stipulated period of time to undergo medical, psychological, spiritual or physical strengthening treatment. One of the most advantageous elements about this treatment is that it actually alienates the patient from the surroundings which might be one of the influential factors leading to disorder. In a new environment the client embraces life in new surroundings with revived capabilities. While the patient is getting treatment, their families also get educated about new approach towards their sober loved ones and ones these sobers are out of the rehab, they are welcomed in a new environment conducive for continued sobriety.

For more information on eating disorder rehab, please visit website.

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Benefit Of Holistic Treatment Has A Lasting Effect

Is there a connection between the eating habits and stress? The answer is Yes. There is a direct connection between these two. When a person gets tensed, he/ she tend to munch more. Unnatural and abnormal eating habits are categorized under eating disorders. These include eating less, over-eating, as well as bingeing and purging etc. these disorders have highest mortality rate, in comparison with other habits. These can lead to various other illnesses related to malnutrition due to less eating and high pressure or cardiac diseases related to obesity due to overeating. Most of the patients do not acknowledge their disorder and they continue with it for long time until it is discovered by others or until it creates problem for them. Once this problem is detected, a hunt for eating disorder rehab gets started.

There are various types of rehabs, which follow different types of approach. Some of the rehabs may emphasis more on reforming the mind set to overcome the problem completely along with the medical treatment. Some rehabs follow Christian believes and enhance spiritual up-liftment of the soul by preaching the teachings from Holy Bible. Whereas some follow a holistic approach which aims at overall development and cure of their client! There are private rehabs which are vowed to keep their clients history and identity a secret. But one thing is common amongst all these rehabs is, types of treatments they offer. There are two types of recovery treatment offered, out of which one is the out- patient and the other one is residential. Out- patient treatment involves visits to counselors, medical experts and other therapists. Particular time is allocated to each patient and then the patient can resume to his duties. The other type has a higher rate of success than the earlier one. They are the eating disorder treatment centers. This treatment requires the patient to remain in the rehab for a stipulated period of time to undergo medical, psychological, spiritual or physical strengthening treatment. One of the most advantageous elements about this treatment is that it actually alienates the patient from the surroundings which might be one of the influential factors leading to disorder. In a new environment the client embraces life in new surroundings with revived capabilities. While the patient is getting treatment, their families also get educated about new approach towards their sober loved ones and ones these sobers are out of the rehab, they are welcomed in a new environment conducive for continued sobriety.

For more information please visit website: www.eatingdisordertreatment.com

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Fasting’s effect on diamine oxidase (DAO) & histamine intolerance

man's fingers holding tiny fork and eating from a tiny plateTwo important questions regarding fasting for those with histamine intolerance are: does not eating affect the function of the histamine degrading diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme, and is the stress of not eating so extreme as to negate the benefits of it? 

All references at the bottom of post.

Why a post on fasting? I’ve long used fasting as a tool for dealing with histamine related inflammation. A history of eating every few hours, even getting up from bed in the middle of the night to do so, had left my body in a constant state of excitability and chronic histamine release.

The reasons for this is very simple: histamine is involved in the digestive process and eating triggers generalised inflammation, regardless of  whether you have histamine intolerance or mast cell activation.

University of Southern California Longevity Institute director Dr. Valter Longo has created a fasting mimicking diet that has the benefits of water fasting while allowing about 800 calories a day. My interview with him revealed that up to 40 percent of the immune system can be regenerated in just five days. Longo told me that would include “faulty” mast cells that are leaking histamine indiscriminately. Read the post here.

I’ve long experimented with and written about fasting for my histamine intolerance and mast cell activation because I discovered early on, even before I was diagnosed, that very short bursts of it made me feel better.

PLEASE NOTE – there is a difference between fasting for health once in a while and anorexia. Don’t even think of trying it if you have ever had repeatedly negative thoughts of food, negative body image or any kind of eating disorder, no matter how long ago it was. Either way, a doctor needs to be involved. 

But there’s still an unbelievable lack of research on fasting’s effect on the histamine degrading diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme. Residing in the gut, where histamine is released every time we eat (or even think of food), DAO’s job is to break down histamine once it’s not needed anymore, or presumably when there’s just too much of it for us to handle. DAO relies on a number of nutrients to function normally – things like magnesium (a lack of this can cause major histamine release), copper, vitamin B6 and others. It’s at its peak during pregnancy where it helps prevent uterine contractions that could end in miscarriage (read more here).

Histamine intolerance is considered to be an excess of histamine caused by or coupled with a lack of DAO. Genetic testing can reveal if we’ve inherited genes that predispose us to low DAO production, but a lack of it may simply be triggered in women as we age and hormones decline because we no longer need DAO’s help in preventing miscarriage.

A study published in the journal Digestion found that levels of the histamine degrading DAO enzyme in starved rats did not decrease during fasting. (I can’t find any human studies).

That’s a start.

But what about the very valid concern regarding fasting increasing histamine levels?

Well, that could depend on a number of factors.

We know for sure that stress causes histamine release from mast cells. These white blood cells contain not only histamine but also a number of other inflammatory agents that you really don’t want to have dumped into the blood stream unless needed to fight infection or heal you from injury.

It’s also known that fasting in animals has been shown to cause stress, which in turn causes histamine release.

In my case, water fasting has been hugely stressful in the past. The fear I’m doing something stupid, the fact that it was done in a haphazard fashion when my histamine rose to intolerable levels, and basically being too weak to move or do anything other than lie around obsessively tracking every minute (or scary) symptom.

Juice fasting/feasting was more successful because it took the stress away, but I still had the energy problem (and I was using too many fruits).

My approach and mindset (ie my stress level) going in to the fast dictated how successful it would be. In other words, we’re not the animals in the studies. We choose to fast rather than being starved, we are not held in restraints or have scientists devising ways of freaking us out.

That’s all good and well, but yes, we can be just as stressed as the animals, because let’s face it, dealing with these health issues can create a lot of anxiety.

I came to realise a few things could made for a successful fast:

(Please note, these are my observations and should not be a substitute for medical advice.)

  • – Liquids put less stress on the body and (according to Dr. Fuhrman) were less demanding of my stomach enzymes
  • – I stopped fasting when I was at my sickest. Planning fasts and being mentally prepared for them was essential
  • – Meditation is an essential component
  • – Reading materials or motivational documentaries and films should be planned in advance
  • – Getting in touch with nature is really helpful for lowering stress levels
  • – I didn’t need to starve myself. A cut of about 20-30 percent of my usual calories sufficed
  • – Focusing on nutrient dense foods with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory soups and low fruit juices regardless of calories was extremely healing to me
  • You’ll find most of the recipes I used in the Anti-Detox.

My (non-medical but totally been there myself) advice is, if you’re experiencing a moderate to significant amount of stress, then fasting probably isn’t a great idea.

There are exceptions of course, but really, there’s a good chance that getting the stress under control might reverse much/most of the histamine symptoms anyway and you might not need to fast!

If you don’t have the patience or time for it, check out how to create your own personalised healing plan here.

It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.

The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.

The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.

Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.

Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes

—-REFERENCES—-

Irie, Masahiro, Shoji Nagata, and Yutaka Endo. “Effect of isolation on classical conditioned histamine release in guinea pigs.” Neuroscience Research 44.1 (2002): 31-35. Web.

Irie, Masahiro, Shoji Nagata, and Yutaka Endo. “Fasting stress exacerbates classical conditioned histamine release in guinea pigs.” Life Sciences 72.6 (2002): 689-98. Web.

Erdman, Steven H. “Effects of Starvation and Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on Diamine Oxidase Activity in Rat Ileum.” Digestion 46.2 (2009): 396-402. Web.

“Digestion itself is a histamine trigger | Healing Histamine.” Healing Histamine | Histamine Intolerance Diet Foods Recipes. N.p., 04 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 June 2017.

 

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Don’t Forget the Soap: A SolveEczema.org Perspective on “The Farm Effect” and Eczema

Photo of a Cow in Switzerland

Swiss Cows

Until I can finish a book or publish papers, I really can’t do this topic justice. And I’m not really sure users of my site (SolveEczema.org) really need much explanation. Once people really read and understand the site, and put the strategies into practice, what I’m about to say is pretty obvious.

A lot has been written in recent years about the “Farm Effect” — an astute observation made by early eczema researchers that people who live on farms tend to have less eczema than people who don’t. This led to speculation about whether the reason had to do with dirt or microorganism exposure.

While I am not discounting microbial involvement — please see SolveEczema.org discussions for a different take on probiotics and eczema, and the last part of this very short paper that I wrote https://thewinnower.com/papers/3412-abnormal-ampli-cation-observations-from-applying-the-engineering-method-to-solving-eczema-and-atopic-disease — I also think people are making this far too complicated (with far too much contradictory evidence that isn’t explained).

Take for example the popular interpretations of this well-done study from 2012:
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(12)00519-2/fulltext

Researchers found a far higher rate of allergy, asthma, and eczema among children aged 6-12 who were from families of Swiss non-farmers than Swiss farmers. They also found the Swiss farmers had a higher rate than Amish in the US (who tend to be farmers, though not all). Researchers may have chosen the comparison with Amish in the US because they originally came from Switzerland, and may be genetically similar.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kidsallergies-idUSBRE8431J920120504
“As for why the Amish kids have even lower allergy and asthma rates than the other farming kids, “that piece of the puzzle we really haven’t explained,” [Indiana allergist who treats Amish patients] Holbreich told Reuters Health.”

So, to summarize: The Amish had the lowest rates of allergy, asthma, and eczema. The Swiss farmers had less allergic diseases than non-farmer general population, but higher than the Amish. This relative difference was true also for allergic sensitization to various allergens on testing.

The significant difference between the Amish and the farm families suggests the need to consider other influences.

Swiss cows everywhere and up close in Switzerland

Swiss cows everywhere and up close in Switzerland

Additionally, Switzerland is such a small country where farming and the farming community is simply not that isolated from the rest of the nation. It’s nothing like the US where you might have to drive hundreds of miles to see a cow (or a farmer).

Swiss horses in the path

Swiss horses in the path

While Switzerland is an extremely clean country, let’s face it, the dairy industry is pretty important — it’s hard not to notice that there are a great many animals and a great many flies because dairy is so well integrated into the landscape. I just can’t see making a strong case that any population is that well isolated from any other there microbially.

swiss goat

Swiss goats are everywhere, too.

But in terms of lifestyle, the general Swiss population of non-farmers is using the same kinds of new surfactants that everyone else in the industrialized world is using where eczema and asthma are so high. They spend more time in homes breathing the detergent “dust” from this use than do farmers, who spend more time outdoors.

Swiss farmers may or may not be using less of such products.  While I doubt they are making their own soap anymore — though I do not know — they do spend more time outdoors, away from breathing such dusts. Recall that these substances increase antigen penetration of membranes, including lung, i.e., to the immune system, it’s as if there is more allergen in the environment.

In the US, farming communities gave up making their own soap later than everyone else. In some farming communities, soapmaking remains a strong tradition. The Amish are one of those communities, probably the most significantly so. Although acceptance of the modern can vary among Amish communities, there is a strong tradition of soapmaking among the Amish. This essay about Amish life in the 19th century (search on the word “soap”)  describes the process.  While it can be truly difficult to get specific data, it’s very unlikely that this tradition has changed much, if at all.

This relatively new environmental factor — the use of these highly hydrophilic modern surfactants that I believe are amplifying “normal” allergic processes — has a much more consistent and close ecological link to allergy, asthma, and eczema increases than any of the other explanations, across time and geography. This factor should be included in these types of studies, because of the potential to reconcile so much seemingly contradictory evidence, not just when it comes to the “Farm Effect”, but also when it comes to the research on allergy and exposure to pets like dogs and cats (especially the contradictory evidence when it comes to cats), or studies of allergy in households that handwash versus dishwasher wash the dishes. Getting into details is a long discussion for another day. However, because these surfactants can so powerfully influence human membranes in a way that is known and directly speaks to allergy, I think it’s too bad the studies don’t include anything at all about this factor. Especially since, as in the study above, there is likely to be a big difference in usage between the populations.

The SolveEczema.org perspective reconciles the major inconsistencies in the research of most of these different factors, such as the Farm Effect. And the SolveEczema.org strategies, from experience, happen to lead to dramatic reduction of asthma and allergies in concert with eczema amelioration, not just for the child with eczema, but everyone in the household. And it doesn’t require getting dirty or rolling around in cow or horse … um … microbes.

 

This room was one part of a structure also housing a mountain café, where day hikers frequently stop for tea or hot cocoa. Note the nearly brand new calf.

This room was one part of a structure also housing a mountain café, where day hikers frequently stop for tea or hot cocoa. Note the nearly brand new calf.  OK – this isn’t a common sight in Switzerland – but cows (and their microbes) are.

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