Sarah, great source. But the article states that the toxin is
inactivated at 85 degrees but the spores are heat resistant. Then if
you go further down in the article to the section on infant botulism
it states that this specific infection happens from ingesting spores,
not toxin.
I think, for me, having treated infant botulism, the risk does not
outweigh the benefit, especially when there are plenty of alternative
treatments.

I will check some other literature for cases of infant botulism from
beeswax and see if I come up with anything. But this is my 3rd post of
the day and I will be unable to post til after midnight:)

Sorry to bore with multiple posts!
Liz

Liz Dedman, MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Growing Healthy Children
Louisville, KY

On Feb 23, 2012, at 3:21 PM, Sarah Vaughan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> On 23/02/2012 19:39, Liz Dedman wrote:
>> The concern, though, is not with a reaction, such as a sensitivity,
>> irritation, or allergy. The concern is with life threatening infant
>> botulism. In my opinion, not worth the risk.
>> Respectfully,
>> Liz
>>
> Interesting discussion.  I just googled it, and found this page from the WHO:
>
> http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs270/en/
>
> According to this, heating at >85 deg C for five minutes is sufficient to inactivate the toxin, so it seems likely to me that the preparation process would do this (Mechell, what temperature do you heat at?  I'd have thought >85 deg.)  But I don't know how commercial salves are prepared - may be worth writing to the manufacturers of the one you use to confirm that their preparation process does include sufficient heating of the beeswax (I'd expect so, but would be nice to check).
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Sarah Vaughan
>
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