Another chickenpox plea for help

[FlightofFancy]

Apols in advance for typos - DS sat on lap 'helping'.

11mo DS has a horrible case of chickenpox and didn't sleep at all last night - well, he managed half an hour between 7pm and 5.45am. He's being driven mad by the itching, but because he's so young he doesn't really understand it.

I'm using calamine and have tried Piriton, but that doesn't seem to touch it (luckily nice pharmacist said it's OK even though he's under 1 as he's a good weight). I wondered if there's anything else I can do/try?

He just seems so young - and it's so frustrating that there seems to be nothing I can do.

Any advice also on how to prevent scarring, as obviously I can't just tell him 'don't scratch' and they're all over his face. I know it's a silly, vain thing to worry about, but I'm so tired I've got to obsess over something!

[marriednotdead]

Poor you (and him).

Scars fade so unless he's got keloid skin, don't worry too much about them, they rarely last forever.

There are a couple of suggestions here

As my ever pessimistic mother says, like everything it will pass.

[dikkertjedap]

I think you already use all the medication you can (calamine, piriton). I would try to distract him as much as possible, you are no doubt exhausted, but try to play games, things he needs both hands so he can't scratch, build a railway together, build with duplo, anything he needs two hands for. If all fails, I would put gloves or mittens on his hands (probably also as he sleeps, because he might inadvertently scratch during sleep). Hope he gets better soon. I know it is too late for your ds, but children can be (privately) vaccinated against chicken pox.

[MyLittleOwls]

Porridge Oats in an old sock run under the tap whilst the bath is filling will alleviate the itch.....strange but true

[FlightofFancy]

Thanks guys - oaty bath really seems to work! Will try the chamomile as well. Oddly, it doesn't seem to bother him during the day - obviously one of those things that's so much worse at 5am!

[LilRedWG]

Definitely oat baths, even at 4.30am if it helps. Nails short and full length PJs with long sleeves. Good luck.

[MrsTumbles]

I used something called Poxclin on my DD. I bought it from Boots on the pharmacists recommendation. Its like a mousse, non-sticky and really seemed to help my DD

[neolara]

I used Eurax to help with the itching. It seemd to help much more than calamine.

[dribbleface]

bicaronate of soda in bath supposed to help with itching.
Hope he feels better soon.

[FlightofFancy]

Thanks all. I bought a whole load of stuff the other day, and really rate Poxclin. Not cheap, but does seem to really help.
Unfortunately Eurax says not for under 3s or something, but did buy some Kamillosan, which also seems to soothe a bit.
Think we're coming out the other side...

[hillbilly]

Probably too late but bought marigold flowers and made tea from them and also mixed porridge oats with boiling water then strained it. Added the concoction to his bath (it looked vile!) and it really helped.

I probably sound like a Guardian reading, sandal wearing libertarian which I'm not, but actually just happen to have a Neal's Yard shop nearby and took their advice.

It worked for us.

[gingeme]

I also found the calamine cream helped and its cheap! Easier to apply than calamine lotion and you can keep it in the fridge which seemed to relieve my ds's quicker than the lotion. The oat baths are fab but I think the distraction of being in the bath brings blessed relief too.
All the best to your poor little mite

[Puddlelover]

Oatbaths (porridge oats whizzed in a blender and added to the bathwater
And
Poxclin (they have it in some 99p shops, but can buy in Boots
I had chickenpox myself last year and found both of these helped