Chickenpox questions from a CP virgin. So sorry if been covered...

[mumtojohn]

My DS (2yo) has just got it. Spots today (about 25) and seems fine.

I've got a 5 month old but heard that babies under 6 months rarely get it even when exposed because of mother's immunity (I've had it). Or am I kidding myself?

Is it usual to have bad nights the first few days? Just want to prepare myself.

And on the prickly subject of quarantine, what is OK and what isn't? Can I take him to the park as long as we don't go to play areas where he can touch stuff? He just likes to chase pigeons anyway these days. What about the shops in his buggy? If it is airborne (is it?) though, presumably I can't get on public transport. The last thing I'd want to do is put any pregnant women or other kids at risk so will do whatever the accepted wisdom is. Just wondering how to strike the right balance as I tend to get a bit over-cautious.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

[rubyslippers]

I think you should try to avoid taking him out and about until he has scabbed - CP can be potentially serious for those with superessed immune systems

I found the aqueous cream and calamine combined very good

Also cool baths, with oats or biacrb of soda are good for soothing itching - pat the skin dry

You can try piriton for the itching but it can make some children a bit wired!

Not sure re immunity for little ones - maybe NHS direct site could help?

[Seona1973]

my ds got it at 5 1/2 months from his sister who was 3 at the time. She was bad with it (drama queen!) and he wasn't too bothered at all. Your ds will be contagious until the spots scab over which is 5-7 days from when they first appear - I would avoid anywhere that you would meet other people so the park (if no-one else is there) would be ok but public transport would be a no-no. The incubation period is 10-21 days so you wont find out for a while if your 5 month old has caught it - there were 15 days between dd getting it and ds coming out in his spots.

[TheVisitor]

Babies under 6 months can definitely get it. You need to stay close to home until the spots have scabbed as it is infectious till then. When I had my last dose (at the grand old age of 33), I used lavender essential oil along with bicarb of soda in the bath and that took down the redness and itching. For a 2 year old, 8 drops of lavender, no more. A skin patch test is a good idea first.

[Littlefish]

Half fill an old sock with porridge oats. Tie up the top or put an elastic band around it. Put the sock under the tap as you are running the bath. A milk liquid will come out. This is very, very soothing for itchy spots, and because your child is in the bath, you can just pour it over their heads if they have spots there.

Dd got chicken pox while we were on holiday in the caribbean , and porridge oats saved our sanity!

[mumtojohn]

Thanks all - very helpful.