My 6-year-old son has this habit of licking the area around his lips. In our dry winter weather, this has given him a rash. Can anyone recommend a topical OTC cream type thing that won't be a problem if he accidentally licks it? (I'd be happy with something yucky-tasting, actually, since it would help him to break this habit, but it has to be non-toxic.) I prefer organic products and the like, but I'm not a purist.
Thanks!
My five year-old does this too. We use Aquaphor and apply it pretty heavily right before he goes to bed. It means more frequent washing of the pillowcases, but it does the trick.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I use this.
Its right in my kitchen, it is food grade and very good for the skin. Many beauty products contain olive oil.
" Olive oil is recommended to soothe dry skin and restore moisture. The skin can also benefit from the healing and renewal properties of olive oil. Skin rashes can be treated by applying olive oil to the affected skin."
Also: Aloe Vera
Coconut oil is great for rashes and dry skin, and you can buy organic versions. Just make sure you get COLD PRESSED coconut oil (that smells like coconut) -- I think there's a processed kind you can find at places like Walmart that's not nearly as good.
Vaseline - is tasteless and odorless and great for chapped lips/skin.
Bag Balm - is good too. It has a smell but I have no idea what it tastes like.
Coconut oil - is solid at room temperature but melts and absorbs well into the skin.
A&D ointment - I've heard it tastes awful but is excellent for chapped lips.
Olive or coconut oil mixed with hot sauce - ha! Just kidding about the hot sauce. I can't think of anything that would taste icky. My kids do the same thing. They get that ugly red rash around their mouth.
ugh. my son too. what is with that? drives me nuts. i didn't even think of coconut oil but we use that for a lot of stuff. there is also "unpetroleum" by Alba Theraputics that is like petroleum jelly but all natural. I believe it's coconut oil based. good luck!
We've used lanolin for my daughter. The same stuff that you use for your nipples when breastfeeding. It works really well and safe to lick :)
LANSINOL!!! It is actually a breast cream for nursing mothers and it is totally safe to ingest. It works fabulous on dry cracked lips, hands and we use it all winter long. My 6 year old gets a split in her lip during the winter and we treat it with that. IT is expensive but so worth the cost. Sorry no bad taste but it will work great for that dry, irritated skin kids get from licking their lips.(my mom even uses it on her fingers and then puts a bandage over for a little while on her thumbs when they crack from the winter weather and too much hand washing! she says it is the best thing she ever used.)
i second aquaphor. the amount licked off wont cause harm.
