Diet Plan
I decided to go with a gluten free (as opposed a dairy AND gluten free diet). I read a few testimonials from parents on the NAAF website who said their child also suffered from joint pain. When they implemented a gluten free diet the joint pain stopped. Akhilah also complains about joint pain. It's not an everyday issue, but there are times when she tells me her arms or legs hurt. I used to put this off as growing pains, but now I have reconsidered that assumption. I also want to tackle her stomach/vomitting issues as well. I am isolating gluten initially to see what type of an effect it will have. If I see it doesn't have any effect (after about three months), then I will (slowly) reintroduce it into her diet and then remove dairy. Until I can coordinate with her school what her lunches should not include, I am going to pack her lunch everyday so that I can be sure she is not eating anything with gluten.
I purchased a pro-biotic for children (with about one billion live cultures - the recommended amount for children) that she will take everyday. We have not started this as of yet (1/11) because she's spent the past few nights with my mom and I just received the shipment two days ago. I decided against a multi-vitamin for now because I want to focus on her gut health. It seems to me that her immune system has kicked in just fine - and is in fact in overdrive (thus the most recent shedding) - so I doubt it needs anymore of a boost. I want to focus on it working PROPERLY, that's why I am trying the pro-biotic.
I also purchased Aloe Vera juice - the taste is a little different to say the least :-) However, I am going to mix it with another type of juice in order to offset the taste. It doesn't taste horrible, but for a kid I know she would definitely not drink the 1 oz (recommended on the bottle). It is said that Aloe Vera juice aids in digestive and immune support and also helps absorb nutrients. It is also an anti-inflammatory and can help promote hair growth by maintaining a normal PH balance in the hair and scalp. I am going to permanently introduce this into her diet unless she has some type of reaction it (which I doubt will happen).
I purchased a pro-biotic for children (with about one billion live cultures - the recommended amount for children) that she will take everyday. We have not started this as of yet (1/11) because she's spent the past few nights with my mom and I just received the shipment two days ago. I decided against a multi-vitamin for now because I want to focus on her gut health. It seems to me that her immune system has kicked in just fine - and is in fact in overdrive (thus the most recent shedding) - so I doubt it needs anymore of a boost. I want to focus on it working PROPERLY, that's why I am trying the pro-biotic.
I also purchased Aloe Vera juice - the taste is a little different to say the least :-) However, I am going to mix it with another type of juice in order to offset the taste. It doesn't taste horrible, but for a kid I know she would definitely not drink the 1 oz (recommended on the bottle). It is said that Aloe Vera juice aids in digestive and immune support and also helps absorb nutrients. It is also an anti-inflammatory and can help promote hair growth by maintaining a normal PH balance in the hair and scalp. I am going to permanently introduce this into her diet unless she has some type of reaction it (which I doubt will happen).
Over the past few weeks I've looked into a lot of topical oils and treatments that one can use to stimulate hair growth. Her is what I decided on for Akhilah:
I. Essential Oils
After researching essential oils, I realized that, on top of stimulating the hair follicles, they also served additional purposes that would help our fight against Alopecia I decided on Rosemary, Tea Tree, Jojoba, Peppermint and Lavender ( all of which I purchased from Better Health) and here's why:
a). Jojoba Oil
• Also has anti-inflammatory properties (this is really important to me)
• Can be used for redness and itching – which my daughter experiences during a flare up
• Its molecular structure is the *one of* the only oils that that our similar to the oil our scalp/body naturally produces
b). Peppermint Oil
• It is a stimulant
• Increases blood circulation
• Aromatic – also provides aromatherapy which can be soothing to those who are highly stressed
c). Rosemary Oil
• Relieves respiratory problems
• Hair follicle stimulator
• It is used for digestion problems - including vomiting
d). Tea Tree Oil
• Unclogs hair follicles
• An anti-inflammatory
• Increase blood circulation
**** I am going to introduce this seperately to make sure it does not irritate her skin***
e). Lavender Oil
• Calming – to use for aromatherapy (for her stress)
• Relieves dry scalp
II. Aloe Vera Juice
I mentioned this above as apart of her diet regimen, but I will also use this in her topical regimen as well. I currently lie a warm/hot rag on her head (after spraying [diluted] apple cider vinegar on her scalp) four times in one session - I do this twice a day. I am simply going to add the aloe vera juice to this mixture.
III. Rogaine - For Women
All of the posts that I've read said that doctors recommend the Men's Rogaine because it has 5% Minoxidil - however- when I called her pediatric dermatologist he said to use the 2%. I decided to listen to him because in this instance, he has seen and treated my daughter and I don't want to give her something that is too strong. I administer this after the hot towel treatment. The one I have has a dropper, and I use the solution over her entire head. I also add a couple of drops to a cotton ball and rub it across her eyebrows.
I. Essential Oils
After researching essential oils, I realized that, on top of stimulating the hair follicles, they also served additional purposes that would help our fight against Alopecia I decided on Rosemary, Tea Tree, Jojoba, Peppermint and Lavender ( all of which I purchased from Better Health) and here's why:
a). Jojoba Oil
• Also has anti-inflammatory properties (this is really important to me)
• Can be used for redness and itching – which my daughter experiences during a flare up
• Its molecular structure is the *one of* the only oils that that our similar to the oil our scalp/body naturally produces
b). Peppermint Oil
• It is a stimulant
• Increases blood circulation
• Aromatic – also provides aromatherapy which can be soothing to those who are highly stressed
c). Rosemary Oil
• Relieves respiratory problems
• Hair follicle stimulator
• It is used for digestion problems - including vomiting
d). Tea Tree Oil
• Unclogs hair follicles
• An anti-inflammatory
• Increase blood circulation
**** I am going to introduce this seperately to make sure it does not irritate her skin***
e). Lavender Oil
• Calming – to use for aromatherapy (for her stress)
• Relieves dry scalp
II. Aloe Vera Juice
I mentioned this above as apart of her diet regimen, but I will also use this in her topical regimen as well. I currently lie a warm/hot rag on her head (after spraying [diluted] apple cider vinegar on her scalp) four times in one session - I do this twice a day. I am simply going to add the aloe vera juice to this mixture.
III. Rogaine - For Women
All of the posts that I've read said that doctors recommend the Men's Rogaine because it has 5% Minoxidil - however- when I called her pediatric dermatologist he said to use the 2%. I decided to listen to him because in this instance, he has seen and treated my daughter and I don't want to give her something that is too strong. I administer this after the hot towel treatment. The one I have has a dropper, and I use the solution over her entire head. I also add a couple of drops to a cotton ball and rub it across her eyebrows.
Your copyright - 2013
Akhilah's Alopecia Adventure
Topical Regimen
