Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #60 on: August 22, 2009, 06:49:32 PM » by T

That is definitly what kicked it here. It was gone in two days and healed in about 4 after more than a week of doing other things and not really knowing what he had. I'd hate for you to have to get all those things from the Vitamin Shoppe...I get mine in bulk from The Bulk Herb Store, More Than Alive, or Mountain Rose Herbs. They have fast shipping and it's worth it to get so much more. Of course I have a freezer full of herbs for just in case, now. In what area of the country do you live? Maybe you could forage them from your neighbors yard Roll Eyes

...Maybe there is an herbalist type store nearby...Maybe you could find those things in a tea and break open the bags to combine...Just thinking with my fingers...

Not sure about the GSE. I consider that an antibiotic and use with a little less abandon. Maybe your neighbor also has some dandelions... Wink

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #61 on: August 22, 2009, 07:43:02 PM » by MQM

We're in central FL, and for the life of me, I cannot be certain of what dandelion looks like. Huh

I am not good with plants, and don't know anyone personally who deals with herbs. It's been awhile, but I I have searched online and asked at HFS ~~and found no herb stores within 3 hrs from here.~~ EDITED: Found one 1-1/4 hrs away after more searching.

During the winter, we have a "weed" in our lawn that thrives and at times it looks like dandelion, but I'm just not certain enough to actually utilize it. Maybe I will order from BHS. I really just want this to be over with.

I had read numerous accounts of impetigo being quite persistent even w/antibiotic use, so I wasn't terribly worried that it wasn't healing up as fast as I'd hoped. But now... this is just ridiculous. I have also checked on GSE and prolonged usage and it seems to be pretty safe to use for weeks/months, but I realize the effectiveness will probably wear off over a long period.

Thanks for all your help ladies. There is very little support around here when it comes to natural remedies.

« Last Edit: August 22, 2009, 08:33:00 PM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #62 on: August 23, 2009, 03:49:58 PM » by MQM

Wow! I think it is finally clearing up for good. (Of course, I have thought that several other times, only to be disappointed later.) Everything is healing up nicely, though. Although, one little sore--in her nostril--had escaped my notice and has gone untreated until today when I caught her with her finger up there. Tongue

Hopefully, that will be the last one to deal with.

Current remedy: rinse with ACV/garlic/onion/chamomile/slippery elm/licorice root/marshmallow root infusion. Apply raw honey mixed with 2 drops of eucalyptus oil.

Current supplements: chamomile tea/honey several times a day, probiotics, fish oil, Bone Ami, flaxseed meal, and a Wellness Formula tablet that I crushed and put into a capsule.

Honey seemed to be rather effective for Gabe/Rebekah, in treating an infection that garlic wasn't eliminating. http://www.bulkherbstore.com/articles/honey?s=honey

Edited to add: flaxseed meal

And... Went out to get Dandelion tea and forgot that I hadn't gotten it from the grocery store but from Vitamin Shoppe. Anywho, by the time I realized it, VS was closing. So tomorrow I'll get her on the dandelion tea.

« Last Edit: August 23, 2009, 06:04:25 PM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #63 on: August 24, 2009, 11:29:07 PM » by MQM

Well, here we go again. Everything was healing up nicely, but as the evening wore on yesterday, dd began to be very itchy and had some hives. Even though the sores appear to be healing she now has little red, inflamed bumps between the sores. I can't figure if it's the eucalyptus oil bothering her or the honey? (OR the plethora of other herbs I've used in the ACV infusion?) AAAAAAAAAAgh! *Pulling my hair out!* I am sooooo weary of this. Cry

So, I got some aloe today from my sister's plant--need to plant my own, I know--and applied that ~~before the honey/olive oil. Needed something to keep honey from hardening/wrinkling, potentially irritating skin. ?~~ EDITED: Checked her again before going to bed, and some spots were looking inflamed again from irritation. I just cleaned everything off and applied aloe. Will proceed with rest of plan tomorrow.

On top of that, she had a new sore today to the side of her belly. I never saw it blistering, and it's not large and crusted over. It just looks like the others do as they're healing. Has it reached the systemic point? IDK. I did get dandelion root tea today and had her drink 5 cups throughout the day. (Hope I don't find out that that is too much for an almost 6yo.)

So... What to do now? Since dh got paid today, I'll drive 65 miles tomorrow to the herb store I found--black walnut hull powder, comfrey, and plantain. Hopefully, these things will heal her poor, sweet little face. Elderberry and echinacea to make some immune boosting tea.

Dh and I agree that, tomorrow, we should schedule an appt. with the doctor, but it would be nice if we could cure it before we actually go. I just can't let this go on any longer. Today she was saying her shoulder bone was hurting and she felt tired and achy. This does concern me, but since my throat is a little sore and her nose has been a little sniffly, I suspect--and hope I'm right--we might just be coming down with the flu that her racked little body can't fight off.

I can't believe this has dragged out so long. I kept/keep thinking it's healing then we take two steps backwards all in a day--over and over. I feel so helpless after 2 wks of this. I've also been preventing her from consuming dairy and sugar. I don't know what else to do. [Lord, give me strength to deal with this.] Cry

« Last Edit: August 25, 2009, 12:57:25 AM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #64 on: August 25, 2009, 07:30:28 AM » by T

Just a heads up...Black Walnut Hull smells like...wellll...cow poo! I can't get my kids to touch it! (and I don't want to!) Roll Eyes

I think the key ingredients in my poultice were the goldenseal and comfrey. You might want to get some goldenseal if you're already driving the distance. It is $$ though.

We'll put you back in the prayers today!

T

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #65 on: August 25, 2009, 10:29:58 AM » by MQM

Thanks, T. Appreciate your advice and prayers.

Was going to use the black w. hull in capsules, but maybe I'll skip it and just go with goldenseal, which did seem expensive. I do want plantain to have on hand and it is supposed to be helpful in relieving itching.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #66 on: September 01, 2009, 08:26:21 PM » by Linzk

How do you know if impetigo is clearing up or not? Is aloe vera straight from the plant good for it?
And is there anything to relieve the itching? Sometimes I can't sleep because it itches SO bad.
Any answers are appreciated!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #67 on: September 01, 2009, 08:52:26 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

I've done a whole mess of research on staph and I have to tell you that I did read not to put aloe on impetigo because it can trap the staph in and allow it to fester. We've had a few cases of impetigo and have tried so much of what's on here, but what worked for us was Really Raw Honey applied 3 -4 times a day after washing it first with a colloidal silver/water mixture. I kept it covered and amazingly it always heals up within a couple of days. Getting the probiotic in everyday probably helped too! Hope this is of help!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #68 on: September 01, 2009, 09:47:17 PM » by MQM

Quote from: MommabyHisgrace on September 01, 2009, 08:52:26 PM

I've not done much research on "staph" as much as "impetigo". I have not come across the info about aloe in it, BUT... the clerk at the herb store that I went to last week mentioned this same thing. She said to avoid aloe. But we discussed the aspect that the aloe vera juice might work differently. I have no idea. Huh

Do you have an opinion on that, MommabyHisgrace?

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #69 on: September 01, 2009, 10:20:56 PM » by Linzk

Thanks!
I've been taking lots of garlic, and drinking lots of water, and putting all kinds of stuff on it. I've had it for at least a week.
One of my friends brought over a 'leaf' (or whatever you call it) of her aloe vera plant. I put some on last night, but I'll quit.
Is there anything other than garlic I should take to help kill it? I guess I should take more acidophilus?
Thank you so much for your help. Now, If we can find raw honey. Undecided

~Lindsey

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #70 on: September 01, 2009, 10:38:43 PM » by MQM

Quote from: MommabyHisgrace on September 01, 2009, 08:52:26 PM

We've had a few cases of impetigo and have tried so much of what's on here, but what worked for us was Really Raw Honey applied 3 -4 times a day after washing it first with a colloidal silver/water mixture. I kept it covered and amazingly it always heals up within a couple of days. Getting the probiotic in everyday probably helped too! Hope this is of help!

Raw honey seemed to arrest it here as well. However, we have the sensitive skin issues with my daughter and with prolonged use of the raw honey on her, she started to get hives and inflammation. So I switched to the goldenseal/b.w.h. stuff last week and she was continuing to heal, with no new blisters for three days. But once again, I laid off the treatment due to busy-ness--terribly hectic weekend--and lack of vigilance (thinking it was going away). Up popped another little sore. So I'm back to honey, but mixing it with a salve that was recommended for hives--has comfrey and plantain, etc.--along with goldenseal and b.w.h. Undecided

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #71 on: September 01, 2009, 10:44:32 PM » by MQM

Lindsey,

Health food stores usually have raw honey, and some vitamin stores do, as well. I know Vitamin Shoppe has it. Also, there are a couple of produce stands/stores in my town that have raw honey. HTH. Good luck with yours.

We're on 3 weeks now, so we're treating dd with burdock root tea, immune building tea (echinacea, etc.), and dandelion tea along with the topical applications. It is almost completely gone, but a new little one seems to pop up inevitably.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #72 on: September 02, 2009, 10:58:51 AM » by Linzk

Quote from: MQM on September 01, 2009, 10:44:32 PM

Oh! I hope mine doesn't last that long. I feel so sorry for you! I hope hers goes away soon.
I took a little dandelion tea a couple days ago, guess I should start doing that more regularly?
Right now I don't have access to any health food stores because I'm out of the country.We do have wild honey from some people we know here, but they smoke the bees out, so the honey is smokey and has bits of stuff in it, so Mom thought it might not be good to put that on it.
I thought maybe it wasn't natural for it to last so long. Guess I need more patience. Sad

Thanks for your help!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #73 on: September 02, 2009, 11:29:42 AM » by T

I just got around to reading an article in the last Beeyoutiful catalog and wondered if charcoal might help. I'm sure you could go to their website and still read it. It had to do with a spider bite but just might get this out of your systems. It can be used internally and externally. Just a thought for you to look into... Undecided

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #74 on: September 02, 2009, 06:48:23 PM » by Linzk

Quote from: T on September 02, 2009, 11:29:42 AM

I don't think we can get the charcoal because we aren't in the country right now. Sad

I have some all around and in the corner of my eye. I can't really put anything on that, so I guess I have to get rid of it internally.
Thanks

,
Lindsey

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #75 on: September 02, 2009, 07:40:14 PM » by T

Honey and colloidal silver can both go in and around your eye if you can get those things where you are. They might at least slow it down...so sorry you're having to deal with this!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #76 on: September 02, 2009, 08:33:26 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

Do you have an opinion on that, MommabyHisgrace?
[/quote]

Hmm...not sure! My thought is to stay away from it, but I really thought it had more to do with the fact that the plant is more gel like and doesn't allow air in.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #77 on: September 02, 2009, 10:11:42 PM » by MQM

Quote from: Linzk on September 02, 2009, 10:58:51 AM

Oh! I hope mine doesn't last that long. I feel so sorry for you! I hope hers goes away soon. I thought maybe it wasn't natural for it to last so long. Guess I need more patience. Sad

Thanks for your help!

From what I've read SOME have trouble eradicating it even with antibiotics, but I'm thinking most cases don't last this long. I'm working on strengthening her immune system also, because I can't see it lasting this long unless her immune system is compromised. That or this is just a really persistent strain of staph. Huh

Don't know.

No new sores today. She literally has 3 sores--all others are gone--and none of these have blistered and erupted. They just look like little red pimples that go away almost as soon as they come up, I'm assuming because I'm treating them. ??

We'll keep you in our prayers. May God give you wisdom with the resources available to you.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #78 on: September 02, 2009, 11:04:10 PM » by Linzk

Thank you so much for your advice, sympathy, and prayers.

My Mom is going to try to find some raw honey tomorrow, so hopefully I can kill it with that. Grin

When I first got the impetigo first we thought it was ringworm, so I put bleach on it and but it burned way worse then ringworm had ever burned. I think maybe that's what made it worse.None of the spots have gone away yet, except 2.
I hope your daughter gets better! I'll be praying for her.
~Lindsey

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #79 on: September 03, 2009, 08:46:55 AM » by MommabyHisgrace

I just thought I'd throw this out there--our family had candida overgrowth and after a year of prayer and contemplating we did a 6 month candida cleanse. After much prayer I truly believed that God was showing me that there was a direct link between yeast and bacterial infections. This was the second major bacterial infection in our family in less than one year. Basically if there is an overgrowth of yeast it lends to an environment that welcomes these type of infections. Just something to think about. Undecided

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #80 on: September 03, 2009, 12:29:13 PM » by Linzk

Quote from: MommabyHisgrace on September 03, 2009, 08:46:55 AM

I'd been wondering if some type of cleanse would help. Do you have a link to a thread with that cleanse?
Thanks.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #81 on: September 08, 2009, 03:17:07 PM » by MQM

We've reached 4 wks now. As usual, all the yucky, weeping sores have been gone for awhile now, but she still manages to get a sore or two here and there. They never get a chance to blister and erupt, but I am convinced they are part of this illness, nonetheless. DH thinks they might just be pimples, but she's only 5yo and it's just too coincidental to me, especially when they show up in areas where she has had prior sores.

Still doing all this daily as our schedule allows:

changing/washing bedding
washing face/areas down several times per day w/soap & water and/or borax in water
tea 2-3/day: burdock root, echinacea/elderberry, dandelion (just ran out of dandelion)
applying topically 4-5 times per day: raw honey mixed with comfrey, plantain, goldenseal, black walnut hull
at least one if not 2 capsules: 1/2 goldenseal, 1/2 bwh.
Supplementing w/probiotics, fish oil, flaxseed meal

Does anyone have an opinion on how long this treatment is safe and effective with goldenseal, dandelion, and bwh internally? I'm pretty sure the echinacea/elderberry tea mixture is only supposed to be used for 2 weeks at a time. What to do? Sunday and Monday, due to our schedule, I was not able to do her routine treatment--did some, just not all day. Would that be enough to allow impetigo to persist even if all the weeping sores are gone and most every day treatment is routine? If so, how long do I need to treat it religiously even after all sores are gone?

Does anyone think I should take her to the doctor just to confirm what bacteria I'm dealing with or if it is systemic? I read here... http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1052709-overview that "impetigo rarely progresses to systemic infection, although poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is a rare complication with GABHS infection only."

What would you do?

« Last Edit: September 08, 2009, 05:48:51 PM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #82 on: September 10, 2009, 09:55:36 PM » by MQM

Well, to answer my own question... Wink

Guess I was hoping this would go away as quickly as everyone else has mentioned, but for those of you out there who might share my experience of it lasting seemingly forever... Apparently, it's not unusual to last 4-6 weeks (at least not according to this blogger: http://www.puredoxyk.com/index.php/2007/06/14/treating-impetigo-staph-infections-of-the-skin/)

"It should stop spreading in a few days, start looking better in a week, and be gone in 4-6 weeks. As long as you have ANY open sores, you have to take all the washing measures above! If you slack off, it’ll start spreading again."

"Stay away from too much sugar, since it will cause yeast to proliferate in your system, and the yeast bacteria can be a carrier for staph and other nasties."

So I guess I will continue treating, but will definitely be more anal-retentive. I definitely slack off on "painting" her face all day, thinking that it's gone, and... a "black beard" on a 5yo girl just doesn't go over well when she's playing out in the yard and such. Roll Eyes

After four weeks of applying something to her face daily, giving her stuff orally, and washing everything, it's hard for me to stay on top of it all. I just keep expecting it to continue going away. Then there's that crazy thing called LIFE that keeps getting in the way. Wink

Sugar... I HATE sugar. Wink

I've withheld a lot from her over the last few weeks, but this past weekend, we were downright AWFUL! Dunkin Donuts, root beer float Shocked

--can't remember the last time I've had either one of those, and neither were very good, anyway. Tongue

And on Labor Day... chocolate cake--now THAT was good. I need to go back to being the ~~sugar N@zi~~ sugar exterminator. (Don't want to attract unnecessary attention here).

« Last Edit: September 11, 2009, 11:20:12 PM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #83 on: September 11, 2009, 08:21:29 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

The cleanse that we did can be found by typing in anti-candida diet. It's the daily log for encouragement. I think I posted what our family did to get rid of staph (to some degree). It doesn't ever go away--you just have to make you're body one that doesn't welcome this bacteria! I can't stress enough how contagious it is and how important it is to go slightly overboard on the cleaning. If anyone wants to PM me I can let you know what our regimen was and maybe it will be of help.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #84 on: September 11, 2009, 09:55:07 PM » by lovetoreadmom

My 2-1/2yo DD was just diagnosed today with impetigo. Sad

I had been trying different things on her, but the itching was just so bad, esp. at night. I would hear her scratching in her sleep, and it sounded as if she had knives for fingernails. Shocked

Really BAD. Anyway, the ped. dr. prescribed an oral anti-biotic (cephalexin) and a topical steroid cream. She's been on only one other anti-bio in her life , and that was for an eye infection earlier this year.

What can I do to help her immune system while on this? I can give her probiotic (Tummy tune-Up in yogurt), Berry Well, and treat her diet carefully, but other than that what else can I do? I do have tea tree oil and Eden Salve - how can those be used? Should I do any of this while she is on the medications?

Also, she has these little white bumps on the backs of her upper arms. They are really not visible unless you are looking very closely. Is this another sign of yeast/candidiasis?

Please give any and ALL suggestions. Nothing is too small or insignificant in my book!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #85 on: September 11, 2009, 10:08:21 PM » by MQM

Quote from: MommabyHisgrace on September 11, 2009, 08:21:29 PM

If anyone wants to PM me I can let you know what our regimen was and maybe it will be of help.

I'll be PM'ing you. Wink

I definitely feel as though her immune system is weak, but haven't been able to discern a cause. I won't rule out candida, but, in spite of our recent, utter sugar indulgence, I used to be a ~~sugar N@zi~~ sugar exterminator, and have lapsed this past year. (I actually shoot for whole foods, no refined sugars, flours, etc., no pasteurized milk--lost the only raw milk source I knew of. We don't do much fruit and usually no juice. Do need less meat and more veggies, though.) And furthermore, dd has NEVER had antibiotics.

I am considering celiac/wheat sensitivity or other digestive issues. Hmmm... You know, this year she's been transitioning to no naps, and she does seem like she should get more rest. This is crucial for immune system!

Anyway, got more Dandelion tea today and some Colloidal Silver. Looking better today (again). Appreciate all your advice, MommabyHisgrace.

« Last Edit: September 11, 2009, 11:19:18 PM by MQM »
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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #86 on: September 12, 2009, 10:31:33 AM » by lovetoreadmom

BUMP!!!

Quote from: lovetoreadmom on September 11, 2009, 09:55:07 PM

My 2-1/2yo DD was just diagnosed today with impetigo. Sad

I had been trying different things on her, but the itching was just so bad, esp. at night. I would hear her scratching in her sleep, and it sounded as if she had knives for fingernails. Shocked

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #87 on: September 12, 2009, 11:50:16 AM » by MQM

"Can you help me boost my babies immune system?" is answered here...

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,78.0.html. HTH. I'm thinking it's probably discussed in other places on wtm, but no time to search now. Sorry.

Don't know about the white bumps. Are they still there?

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #88 on: September 12, 2009, 01:06:59 PM » by Linzk

Thank God! Mom remembered something she did for my older sisters when they were little. She got red Life Buoy soap, and lathered it up and put the bubbles on it then let the bubbles dry. She said it was almost all gone by the next day. So she went to town and thankfully she was able to find some, I think that was a pure miracle to find it down here. The stuff she found wasn't red but orangish, but we figured maybe the color didn't matter too much. Any I used warm water to take the scabs off and put the soap on it, then I left it on for about 2 days. It did sting when I put it on, but as soon as it was dried it quit stinging. When I finally took it off, it was almost all healed. I just left it alone for a day, then put more soap on it overnight and took it off again the next day. It's almost gone now except one spot that it wouldn't stay on.
Okay, I need to stop rambling. But I'm SO happy it's going away.
Thanks for everyone's advice.
~Lindsey

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #89 on: September 12, 2009, 01:35:34 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

MQM--keep in mind that if you have ever had antibiotics or any yeast issues candida is passed from momma to baby. I had terrible itching and vaginal type symptoms when I was young and well into my young adult years. I'm sure that I passed this on to most of my kiddos before finally getting a handle on yeast myself through diet and what-not. Just another one of my "thoughts". I also think that my dd who had the most problems may be allergic either to wheat or gluten. Honestly, right now being pregnant with #7 I'm taking a break from too much research and trying to figure things out. Everything seems under control right now so....................

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