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Children's health

Chicken pox in 5.5-month-old

14 replies

angel1976 · 19/04/2010 20:45

Hi all,

Just to get some advice. Looks like my 5.5-month-old DS2 has got CP. His 2.2-year-old brother had it over the Easter holiday. Very mild case, a bit grotty over two days and was fine, no scratching etc... In fact, I didn't even realise it was CP till I pointed to a friend of mine while changing my DS1's nappy this funny 'boil' on his penis (my friend used to be a paediatric nurse, I don't show all of my friends DS1's penis!). It was only then that I noticed he has had quite a few spots and I did briefly wonder why DS1 was coming out in pimples! Bad mother!

So yesterday morning, I spotted one big blister on DS2's torso. By evening, there were three and this morning, there were many more, mostly on his torso, private parts and upper thighs though I did also see two on his scalp and there were also a few on his face. He doesn't have a temp and seems quite well in himself, still drinking normally. I went to the baby clinic this morning, left DS2 outside and basically, went in to tell the HVs to send someone to my house, which they say they will.

I'm slightly worried about complications, seeing as he is so young. What should I be looking out for? Also, do I need to bring in to the doctor's? I can't imagine it's great for the other kids going to see the doctor's to have my poxy son there...Any advice or experience from mothers whose kids have had the pox so young?

Thank, Ax

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bumbums · 19/04/2010 21:19

Hi, mine have just had it. My DD was 11mths, so a bit older than your DS. Find out if he's allowed any piriton. He might be able to have it if prescribed. It really helped mine with the discomfort. Other than that, treat high temp as you normally would and slather them in calamine! I used the calamine with glycerin which comes in a tube and stays on the skin better. Especially for the nappy area. My Doc said to come back to him if they developed a bad cough. Also do cooler baths than normal and allow skin to cool before putting on pjs.
Hope he shakes it off quickly.

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angel1976 · 19/04/2010 21:22

Thanks for the advice bumbums. He's absolutely fine in himself. Well, at the moment anyway... I will call NHS Direct at the first sign of any bad discomfort!

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Northernlurker · 19/04/2010 21:32

Hi

My dd2 had it at exactly this age (caught it from dd1 then aged 3). She was fine and much less bothered by it than dd1. Just keep an eye on him and call the docs if you're worried but the chances are he will weather this whole thing in better shape than you!

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Seona1973 · 19/04/2010 22:30

ds also had it at 5 1/2 months and he coped much better than his big sister did at the age of 3 1/2!! He did however end up with shingles at the age of 3 which is more common when they get chicken pox before the age of 1.

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angel1976 · 19/04/2010 22:30

Thanks NL, I kinda hope that would be the case! He seems to be absolutely fine ATM. It just seems too good to be true after DS1 getting it so mildly. Hope the luck holds up! It makes me feel slightly uneasy that he seems so well as I really suffered badly when I caught it about 8/9 years old!

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Northernlurker · 19/04/2010 22:59

It definately gets worse the older you are. Dd1 gave it to dd2 who gave it to friends dd (same age as dd1) who gave it to her brother (aged 5) and out of all of them he was the only one who was anything other than spotty and cross. I had it at 11 and felt pretty awful.

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angel1976 · 20/04/2010 10:55

DS2 looks like the plague today! He's got some really nasty blisters! But still pretty happy...

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Northernlurker · 20/04/2010 16:20

Yes they look apalling don't they - and then two weeks later it's like it never happened! Sounds like he's doing well. I find they're often at their grottiest when the first spots pop up and then even though they arrive in droves it doesn't bother the patient much

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angel1976 · 20/04/2010 21:25

NL - Did your DD2 scarred badly? I'm in tears tonight as DS2 was obviously in a bit of discomfort today. He was wriggling about whenever I put him down (I realised he must be itching!). I went and got some calamine lotion and slathered him in it. But he rubbed his face against me whenever I was carrying him today and popped a lot of the blisters on his face and I am in tears thinking about the scars on that gorgeous face!

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Northernlurker · 21/04/2010 16:42

Sorry only just saw this. None of mine have scarred at all. There will be one or two bad spots that take time to go - dd3 still has a faint mark on her forehead from the worst spot when she had it in January this year - but they will eventually all go. That's especially the case with babies actually because their skin has got so much elasticity - it has to have to allow for all that growing! Try not to worry.

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angel1976 · 21/04/2010 19:34

Thanks so much NL. Just what I needed to hear. We had a bad night last night but he seems better today. His spots don't seem so 'inflamed' and some are actually drying up. The ILs came to take DS1 out for most of the afternoon so I had some rest and don't feel so emotional...

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Northernlurker · 21/04/2010 19:36

Oh good

The spots are really freaky I always think - the way they pop up from nowhere and then go back to nowhere after a day or two

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mrsmarzipan · 24/04/2010 08:19

ds has got chickenpox at the moment but 6 days on and more spots are appearing and non are crusting over yet, guess i have more time to go!
dd is a flower girl at brother-in-laws wedding in two weeks so no doubt she will come down with them just in time for that!

Anyway the purpose of the post is to let you all know about a new gel called virasoothe which appears to be fantastic as ds is not scratching (he has eczema and normally likes a good old scratch as soon as his clothes are off too!)it claims to reduce the chance of scaring also. You can buy it or get it on prescription and its soooo much easier to apply than calamine lotion.

Hope all your spotty munchkins recover soon!

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angel1976 · 24/04/2010 10:00

Thanks nrsnarzipan. We are on day 7 and DS2 seems much better! The only spot I am worried about is the one right by his mouth, every time he drinks/eats, it seems to make it all the more inflamed. The HV advised putting on Vaseline but it's not helping much. Otherwise, his spots are going quick!

Sorry to hear about your DS. What's going to happen if your DD gets CP just before the wedding? So sorry to hear this, talk about shit crap timing!