My Son, Jake

As I mentioned before, my family and I have both food, chemical, and/or airborne allergies. Jake, my seven-year old has the most shocking allergy of all. He is allergic to formaldehyde. Months ago I found an afghan my husband’s grandmother had made before she died. Jake really liked it and started sleeping covered up in it. Then I noticed that he had tiny red bumps all over his body. They itched and he tried hard not to scratch them. I initially thought food was to blame since all the trouble I have had with Isaac. He is allergic to two main items: cow milk and wheat. When nothing seemed to help, I took the blanket away. After all it was the only thing new in Jake’s life. Thankfully his rash went away.

Jake has always been hyper. Occasionally he acts erratic like he cannot control himself. My husband and I have always joked that if he were in public school we would be at the principal’s office everyday. Don’t get me wrong Jake is a joy, but sometimes he is very frustrating. Anyway as part of my children’s Christmas present this last year, we let them re-paint their bedrooms. Jake really started misbehaving, but I thought that it was just the excitement of the holiday.

When we took him to be allergy tested with the rest of the family, we explained his reaction to the blanket, which I had brought with me. The doctor tested him with it. Jake was reacting to it, but to what in it. We did not know the type of yarn that was used in the afghan. The doctor decided to test him with formaldehyde because it is in fabric softener and dryer sheets. Jake was allergic to it. My initial reaction was “Okay, so when he is dead we won’t have him embalmed (as if it really matters then).” I immediately asked the doctor what contained formaldehyde. The first item he said was paint. Then it all hit me like a ton of bricks.

The doctor went on asking if he seemed crazy sometimes like he couldn’t control his behavior. I nodded my head. Dr. Colwell said, “Well, it is formaldehyde.” He put Jake on a liver de-toxification program, which he is currently doing. Jake does seem much better. He can focus on his tasks better. He seems happier.

Coming home I began researching formaldehyde and found to my disbelief that it is in everything. Okay, not literally everything but close. It is in soaps, shampoos, detergents, cleaning products, new furniture, fresh paint, vinyl floors, carpet, etc. It is even in our foods as aspartame. Our bodies break down aspartame, a fake sugar like NutraSweet, and it turns into formaldehyde. Obviously you cannot completely avoid formaldehyde, but we are doing our best.

I will write about my soap making experiences later. I have made goat milk soap, laundry detergent, all-purpose anti-bacterial cleaner, air freshener, and dishwashing detergent. It is actually a much more economical choice. It might take some time, but it cleans well and uses inexpensive ingredients.

Even if you do not react to this chemical, it has got to be healthier to not surround yourself with it. People forget that their biggest organ is their skin. It is taking in all of these chemical-laden products that we use. Be friendlier to it; treat it with natural products. Anyone regardless of where you live can make these natural cleaners for your home.

If you are not up to the task and would rather purchase natural products, Beeyoutiful carries a ton of all-natural products and supplements for your family. To look at their products, click on their banner on my sidebar.