Weight loss pills and potions
In our quest to shed kilos we’re often drawn to herbal supplements that promise quick and healthy weight loss. But instead of a healthy jump start we just get jumpy. An irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and oddly enough – a ravenous appetite are some nasty side effects people can have when taking these unregulated pills and potions. Some ingredients may be omitted from the label; some list ingredients that can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions. One example: Sibutramine, a prescription diet drug that was so dangerous it was pulled off the U.S. market for causing heart problems, turned up in herbal weight loss pills. Water pills, which promise to get rid of bloat were found to have triamterene, a powerful diuretic that can have serious side-effects and should only be used under the care of your doctor. The FDA also found weight loss supplements to contain fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac. What you don’t know can be dangerous.
Sunscreen
With all the information we have about the sun’s harmful rays and skin cancer, who wouldn’t use sunscreen? Well, babies shouldn’t actually. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the safest approach is to keep infants 6 months and younger out of the sun. Infants haven’t developed our tougher skin yet – specifically, the acid mantle. This film on the skin’s surface protects us from bacteria, viruses and transepidermal water loss. Babies’ immature skin system can leave them vulnerable to the chemicals in sunscreen. Keep the tiny tots in the shade, under an umbrella or canopy, and dress them in hats and lightweight clothing.
Teething gels
We get it: You’re facing another long night with junior teething. His chompers need pain relief and you need sleep. Teething gel to the rescue! Hang on: If your tot is under two years old, the FDA recommends avoiding any teething gels with benzocaine. The problem is something called methemoglobinemia, a condition that dramatically reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, and it can lead to trouble breathing and seizures. It can even be fatal, and the symptoms like light-headedness or fatigue may not be evident to parents.