Monday 13 September 2021

How to deal with chickenpox.

Hey readers,

In this post, I am going to be talking about how to deal with chickenpox in a child. This may be useful if you have never experienced chickenpox before and want to know how to treat the infection. 

how to deal with chickenpox

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is common and is mostly affects children, although it is catchable at any age.

  Chickenpox is highly contagious and causes an itchy spotty red rash and blisters.  Other symptoms are fever, headache, and loss of appetite. 

It normally gets better on its own within a week. After classic symptoms occur (headache, temperature, loss of appetite) the rash will occur.

3 stages of chickenpox.

1. Red or pink bumps develop over the body.

2. The bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks. 

3. The bumps become crusty, scab over, and begin to heal. 
As chickenpox is contagious and literally can catch chickenpox in the same room you will need to stay away from school, nursery, or work for 5 days after the spots appear.    

Stay away from pregnant women, newborn babies and people with a weakened immune system as this can cause serious problems being around people with chickenpox. 

When to speak to a doctor. 

If you are unsure if your child has chickenpox.

Your child is dehydrated.

If you feel worried that the situation is getting worse for the child. 

How to treat chickenpox. 

Drink plenty of fluids so that the person does not get dehydrated. Try things like lollies as well can also increase fluid levels and help fight the infection. 

Wear comfortable clothing that is not too many layers so that it the not cold or overheated. Cotton clothing is suitable as is cool and breathable material for the skin. 

Painkillers such as child's medication in liquid form are perfect as it helps bring down the temperature of the child, it does not cure the fever element but it just makes it more comfortable for the child. 

It isn't a good idea to use a fan as it provides too much cool air. Instead, have a window open to allow gentle airflow through the room. 

Keep fingernails short to stop the child from scratching their skin. 
Calamine lotion is good to use to help soothe the itching of the skin. 

You can also speak to your pharmacist about an antihistamine medicine to help with itching which is good to take at night when the child is struggling to sleep with the itchy skin. Alternatively putting socks on the child's hands at night can help stop the child from itching.

Please do not give ibuprofen to the child as this could potentially cause serious skin infections. Also if a child is under the age of 16 years age then they are not allowed to take aspirin. 

Take regular cool baths and pat the skin dry but do not rub as this can irritate the skin. 

Cheers for reading X


Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

7 comments:

  1. Chicken pox is such an annoying disease. My two got the spots but felt fine in themselves. I went through loads of Calamine lotion to stop them itching x

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  2. I remember having chicken pox as a child - it was yucky. #MMBC

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  3. We have been Chicken Pox free for years! Knock on Wood.... Just the thought of it hitting my home again, gives me hives. Mine all had it as toddlers and trying to explain - not to scratch was exhausting! Poor little mites. #KCACOLS

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  4. My little one actually started with red spots and itching today! We think she has chickenpox, and this is so very useful! #KCACOLS

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  5. I had chicken pox when I was 26. It was awful. Anything anyone can do to make it less awful is good to know. I didn't know that about ibuprofen though - I'm glad I read this post. Thank you. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS.

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  6. Great information and care tips. All my 3 kids had chicken pox over Christmas 3 years ago and they were so ill x Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS.

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  7. I wish I had read this years ago when mine got chickenpox! A really useful read! Just too late for me!!!! #KCACOLS

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