Picking at a scab.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: 2yr old daughter won't stop picking her face
From: Tsu Dho Nimh <abacaxi.hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2000 05:23:51 -0700

Nick <hero.uk.mcmail.com> wrote:
>My two and a half yr old seems to be intent on digging to Australia via what used to be only a small something on her cheek. Now, after 2 weeks it's big and ugly and bleeding - kind of an open cast mining operation - and will become a scar if she doesn't pack it in.
> Any suggestions for a salve that will help heal it quickly would be mucho appreciato.

It sounds like she might be nervous, and the picking is a stress relief. Give her some calming herbs (there is a commercial brand of "stress-relief" tea that has Kava, Linden, Valerian and a few others)

The wound also itches - almost any ointment or just plain cocoa butter will soften the scabs and prevent the itching. A bit of cortisone cream to calm the histamine producing cells that are causing some itching will help.

One trick I have never tried, but an experienced pediatrician recommended at times was daubing the area with a topical anesthetic (like the sunburn treatments). With the lack of feeling they don't get the feedback that causes the picking.

Trim her fingernails REAL SHORT!

Boxing gloves! Actually any glove or mitten that you can tape snugly around her wrists will help. She can still play but will have a harder time picking the scabs.

>Did someone say sticking plaster? YEAH RIGHT!! 3 pico-seconds that lasts.

The kind that seal on all 4 sides are harder for a child to pick off. The opening at the pad area on the typical bandaid is a great spot for levering the whole thing off.

Tsu Dho Nimh

From: k a & g <kaalga.spamthis.mpinet.net>
Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2000 10:14:41 -0500

during the summer i was putting lavender EO on my sons bug bites and it really helped. he didnt itch and the bumps didnt swell and persist like the ones where no EO was used...you might want to be sure and dilute it if using on the face, i dont even know if it is ok to use it on a child's face???
there are tons of herbs that are excellent for healing skin abrasions and sores that can be either made into a balm or purchased premade already in a balm (herbs for kids brand is expensive but readily availabe, at least in the USA)....off the top of my head i would say oregon grape root, comfrey leaf, yarrow flower, calendula, plantain leaf...there are many more.......

good luck!

From: peacedawge.aol.comgarbage (Jo)
Date: 04 Jan 2000 19:53:49 GMT

> i dont even know if it is ok to use it on a child's face???

Yes...diluted with aloe vera is a good solution. :-)