Dealing with Doggie Dermatitis -Apoquel vs. Natural Alternatives

Dear Sister Knowitall,

 I enjoyed your talk last evening. I have a small support dog for my wife, the vet put the dog on Apoquel for dry itching skin, any homeopathic ideas ?

Mercy,  photo credit Cindy Pitts Gilbert

Signed Itchy Puppy Papa

Great question. Itchy Puppy Papa.

So my go to is always start simple. Dermatitis is hard to treat because it is so broad, itchy skin and/or rash, right?   1) Diet allergy,  2) outdoor allergy 3) something in the house or 4)even a plastic dog bowl.   

What I can do is give you some first steps that should help until you figure out what is the root cause of your puppies dermatitis.  

👉 Coconut oil for both external and a bite on a spoon they usually love to eat it.

👉 An oatmeal bath  there are also oatmeal shampoos at Petsmart that I have used.

👉 Diet elimination, start eliminating treats first then foods.

👉You may have to try natural food. Blue, Fresh Pet or Nutrish  even cook chicken breast and rice in a crock pot.

👉 It is going to be trial and error but I really appreciate you wanting to use a natural alternative for your fur baby. 

👉 I do make a salve out of coconut oil Shea butter and beeswax that you could try I use it on my dog and my own skin flare ups.  Good Luck

Ten for Ten for a Cleaner Clean

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert  November 2016 Gwinnett Citizen 

Dear Sister Knowitall,

Can you share some natural replacements for some cleaners in our home. I have small children. I would really like to protect them from toxins in the chemicals in cleaners not to mention the environment.  
Sincerely, Non-Toxomom

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Dear Non-Toxomom,

Natural cleaning companies can be  expensive. Here are some tried and true replacements.  With 10 ingredients I can replace 10 store bought products in your home that clean great.   

Image Source : northphoenixfamily.com

1) Baking Soda,  2) Coconut Oil, 3) Lemon,  4) Orange Peel,  5)Hydrogen Peroxide, 6)Essential Oil Staples: Peppermint, Orange, Lemon , Tea Tree and, Lavender, 7)Cinnamon,  8)Salt, ,  9)White Vinegar 10) Aluminum Foil

1) Goo Gone - Mix Baking Soda and Coconut Oil together, add a few drops of  orange essential  oil - removes sticky glue and labels from jars.

2) Microwave A cup of Vinegar can smell pretty strong. I prefer half a lemon. Run the microwave for 1 minute, then wipe out with a paper towel. 

3) GoJo- Grease Remover - Coconut Oil and Orange Essential Oil.  Mix in a container with a wide mouth and keep near the sink for that greasy man in your life.

4) Jewelry Cleaner-  Lay  aluminum foil in the bottom of the sink. Fill the sink 25% of very hot water.  Add Baking Soda and Salt and stir until dissolved.  Place your silver or gold jewelry into the water making sure that it touches the aluminum foil. Let soak 10-15 minutes.  Use a slightly abrasive cloth to polish the piece and enjoy the sparkle.  Remedy is not safe for items with pearls or costume jewelry made of  plastic, cheap metals or glue).

5) Comet/Ajax-  Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide- Spray Hydrogen Peroxide in sink or tub, sprinkle on baking soda, let set for 2-4min. Use scrubby .  

6) Bleach/Tilex - Tea Tree Oil, Baking Soda and Water,  Bleach does not kill mold it is a myth. It just bleaches the color. Have you ever noticed that it comes back exactly in the same patterns?  Mix tea tree oil, baking soda and filtered water in a spray bottle. Spray on mold and let it sit.  Spray daily to  prevent new mold.   Scrub away with a brush.   Sprinkle baking soda/tea tree  on heavier moldy area and make a paste with water. Wait 15  minutes, then brush away.  Porous embedded areas such as caulk, drywall, wood and cloth will be difficult if not impossible to remove.  Did you know that a a Peace Lily in your bathroom absorbs mold?  

7) CLR - for Rust Remover -  Make a paste out of water and baking soda.  Use a tooth brush, or just wet the item with rust and scrub away with a bristle brush.  Once rust has eaten away the metal it will leave a hole or groove in your item, so catch it early before it causes permanent damage. 

8) Brasso - for Copper Cleaner-  Ketchup.  Rub ketchup onto your copper item and let sit for 10 minutes min, longer for high patina areas. Use a little elbow grease for a sparkling new penny shine.

9) Windex - White Vinegar Lemon/Lavender Oil and Purified Water

10) Blood Remover - Hydrogen Peroxide, rinse with cold water only. Note that old stains won’t remove completely.  

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert @ Gwinnett Citizen September 2016

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I keep hearing about the benefits of coconut oil. Is it like eating a mounds or almond joy or is there really something healthy about it?

I heard it is really high in fat so I'm confused as to why it's supposed to be the  answer for everything. Can you explain to me what all the hype is about,  Is it all the same or should I look for a certain kind. How do I use it anyway?

Sincerely,

Coconut Confused

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Dear Coconut Confused,

I am so glad you asked.  I love, love, love coconut oil.  I use it every day.  Some natural products are staples in my home, coconut oil is one of them. Coconut oil is not the same coconut you get in a candy bar that is full of sugar and other things so don't use this article as an excuse to gorge yourself on candy bars.  Coconut is made by pressing the fat from the white "meat" from inside the coconut.  It still smells like coconut but the taste is rather flavorless without the sugar.  It melts at a really low temperature, if you put it in your hand it will melt very quickly.  It is also known to be able to withstand high cooking temperatures. It is a healthy fat and there is research that it is a great replacement oil for cooking and that  it may be beneficial for thyroid and heart health.

What do you look for,  I always look for;  pure, unrefined, cold pressed 100% organic, extra virgin coconut oil.   I buy it in big containers because I don't have to be skimpy with it.  I could write a dozen articles about the benefits and uses of coconut oil.   I have read all the hype too and a lot of it has value. Just remember, when you read any cure all you have to really do your research and never take anything you read at face value. It's about finding reputable sources for your information and doing comparisons and sometimes trial and error.

A few uses for Coconut oil, it makes a great alternative for goo gone/goof off. Use it straight on a label or mix with a bit of baking soda and rub in let sit for a few minutes and take a paper towel to remove labels from jars or other items you would use goof off. It's  great hand degreaser for car repairman in your family. There are some skin care uses as it works great on dry patches, you can also make a  mixture using sea salt, sugar or baking soda and some essential oils.

I keep a small container in my bathroom to use as an awesome eye make-up remover.  It makes an amazing hair conditioner or hot oil treatment.  Put some on your dry hair before you get in the shower or warm  it first  and pour on your hair leave for ten minutes to a couple of hours based on  time and then wash your hair with your normal shampoo, so soft.  It absorbs so quickly that I have not found it to leave my hair looking greasy.  If you do feel a  residue that feels greasy after you wash do a second shampoo then dry as usual.   Coconut oil is also great for your teeth. Oil pulling is an interesting concept. Take a spoonful of coconut and slosh it around in your mouth for anywhere from two minutes to twenty. I have tried this in the shower, can be odd or even gross as coconut oil is sloshing around in your mouth,  There is research that it helps reduce plaque, make healthy gums and whiten teeth. You can mix it with some baking soda and peppermint oil to make a natural toothpaste. So do I think it's amazing? Yes!  Do I think it's the answer to everything, No.  So to nut or not to nut.  I'm definitely a "coco"-nut kind of girl.

Swollen Ear Pain with Roaring Sound

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I need some of your sister stuff. . I am a hair dresser and something in my ear popped. I can't hear out

of that ear now, except for a horrible roaring.  I went to the doctor and was told that my ear drum isn't broken but it is very swollen. Traditional medicine has not helped and we are still without a diagnosis.  I am having an MRI but am hoping a natural approach will help me heal.  Do you have any suggestions. 

Sincerely,
Half Deaf Scissorman

Dear Half Deaf Scissorman,

I am really sorry to hear that you have significant hearing loss in one ear. As a hair dresser part of the job is listen to your clients needs and troubles. You are really part therapist like a bartender, so lets see if there is anything I can offer to help.  Let me say that going to the doctor was a good idea.  Often people assume that when you strive to live a holistic life that you don't go to the doctor or are against traditional medicine.  There may be some extremist out there that believe that but for the most part we are all just trying to live our best life and there are some problems that doctors can diagnose and treat.  That said, here are some suggestions for you to try that are safe and non invasive.  If you dont see any improvement seek further medical attention.

Coconut Oil (organic virgin cold pressed) on a Q-tip and lightly rub it on the opening of your ear.  You can also warm it in the microwave 5-10 seconds (not hot but warm, test first) use a dropper and drip 1 -3 drops into the ear and allow it to run down into the swollen area. Remain calm and breathe deeply to relax as it warms your ear drum. If you experience any pain that last longer than a few seconds immediately roll over and let the oil run out onto a cloth or cotton ball.  If you are ok allow it to stay there for a minute or two up to 5 minutes.  It will soothe and is a natural antibacterial and anti inflammatory.  It helps reduce toxins and yeast in the body.

Another option is to mix hot water with Epsom salt allow to cool so that you do not burn your ear.  Put a few drops into the ear and let soak for a few minutes. then roll over and allow the mixture to pour out of your ear.  Mix a bit of tea tree oil with almond oil or coconut oil and put in your ear with a Q-tip. If you feel any burning add pure oil to the tea tree to dilute it more. Do not use water to dilute it will not help.

There are foods are that are amazing super foods. Coconut Oil, Pineapple and Blueberries are awesome for reducing high blood pressure and inflammation in the body.  Eating these daily is a great way to reduce inflammation in the heal the body.

Begin drinking 8-10 glasses a day of water with lemon. I just purchased a small juicer at a local grocery store for less than $5.00.  I am a big fan of  drinking lemon water.
Lemon water is a great way to  boost your  immune system, reducing inflammation, reducing  joint and  pain swelling. see my Lemon Water blog for more info on how truly awesome it is.