Treatment for Chickenpox
By: medical-advisorTotal Views: 447, Word Count: 471,
Chickenpox is a highly infectious viral illness, most common in children, that causes an intensely itchy rash of blisters. Children may generally feel unwell, with a headache and mild fever, just before the rash develops and for the first few days afterwards. The first symptoms appear 1-3 weeks after contact with the infection, and most children are completely recovered 7-10 days later.
Arrange to see your doctor to confirm that your child has chickenpox.
Treatment for Chickenpox
Use these home treatments to make your child more comfortable and help prevent scratching, which can cause scars.
- If your child has a fever, take steps to reduce it. Offer your child plenty to drink throughout the day.
- Soothe itching by giving your child lukewarm baths twice a day. Try adding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or an oatmeal lotion to the bath water.
- An antihistamine will reduce itching and help your child to sleep at night. You can also soothe the skin with a crotamiton cream or lotion, or calamine lotion.
- Cut your child's nails short to reduce damage from scratching. Give him or her cotton gloves to wear at night to prevent scratching during sleep.
- To soothe spots in your child's mouth, get him or her to rinse with half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, taking care that he or she does not swallow the solution. Encourage your child to keep brushing his or her teeth as normal.
- Your child will be more comfortable in light, loose, non-itchy clothing. Avoid wool.
- Keep your child away from school, and away from any woman who may be pregnant, for 5 days from the time when the blisters first appear.
Natural Remedies for Checkenpox
- Sodium bicarbonate reduces itching. Add 2 tablespoons to a bath one-third full.
- Oatmeal products moisturize the skin; lotions can be used instead of soap.
Drugs for Checkenpox
- Antihistamines will help to relieve itching. Try a liquid sedative brand if itching makes sleep difficult for your child.
- Crotamiton preparations are creams or lotions applied 2-3 times a day. Keep them away from eyes or broken skin. Don't use them on children under 3 without consulting your doctor.
- Calamine lotion is cooling and helps to dry up blisters. Use it as needed.
Applying calamine - Use cotton wool and count the spots with your child as you dab on the lotion.
Arrange to see your doctor again if your child develops pus-filled spots and/or blisters near the eyes, earache or headache, breathing problems, drowsiness, or convulsions.
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