Chicken Pox - Help!

[dina75]

DS has chicken pox... I'm really unclear on the etiquette when it comes to this - how long off school? It's his 5th birthday in 2 weeks time - shall I postpone the party? He has kickboxing grading on Staurday coming - shall he miss it? When can I take him out and about? Must he be diagnosed by a doctor?
I don't have any family to turn to, so I am looking for my online-girls to help me out.

[Seona1973]

he will be contagious for about 5-7 days from when the spots come out (when they have all gone crusty) so he will be fine for his birthday in 2 weeks. If he has just come out in spots today then I would keep him off school this week. You will have to see if he is crusty by Saturday and if so he will be ok for his grading. I would keep him out of the way of other people until the spots are crusty. I didnt take either of mine to the doctor with chicken pox but did phone to get it put on their notes.

[joydivisionovengloves]

Chicken Pox is no longer contagious once the spots have dried up. That should be in around 5 days so you should be fine to go ahead with the party. He might be OK by Saturday but you'll just have to wait and see.

[Tgger]

Yeah, you need about a week off school, until the spots are crusted over. It is very boring (well was for us!). Luckily they are not too poorly, but you can't really go out so it's rather dull....

Should be fine for the birthday party, unless he has siblings who will probably get it in about 2 weeks time, just in time for the party.... there's about a 14 day innoculation period.

He will probably be ok for his grading, providing the spots are crusted over, but his spots will still be very visible and you may need to reassure others that he is no longer contagious.

I didn't take mine to the docs- it's SO contagious I think they don't normally want you there! - however if you have any concerns call your GP for advice.

My son (4.5) had it really mildly and didn't really need the calamine or piriton or anything. My daughter (2.5) had the more typical version, loads of spots, really itchy. We coated her in calamine and gave her piriton -or tescos equivalent which really helped with the itching.

Good luck with your week of quarantine! At least it gets it out of the way...

[DuchessEm]

We are in the same situation here! DD had one tiny blister on Thursday, a couple more on Friday, then nothing more really until today and she has woken up completely covered in spots. Her nursery say they have to be off 5 days after the rash starts to appear, but seeing as she has had a huge fresh crop today I'm probably going to keep her off the rest of the week.

We are supposed to be off on holiday in 2 weeks time and I just know her little brother is going to come down with it the day before!

I hope that your DS feels better soon!

[del1]

My 2 year old DS took about 3 days for all the spots to come out, and they were scabbed over within a week. He then had big scabs for a week after, untill they dropped off.

Although it still looks unsightly when they're scabby ( and people will look at him with horror), it is ok to mingle then, as no longer contagious!
My 1 year old DD got it exactly 2 weeks after DS's first spot. it lasted for pretty much the same length of time.

Tips I was given to speed up the scabbing process were :-
leave nappies / clothes off when possible - to let them dry out.
Bath with some bi carb in it - again,dries them out and helps sooth.
Use aqua based calomine, as doesn't dry chalky!?
both of mine were still in nappies, so foundmost of their spots were in that area, poor things.

I think you will be fine for your hols - but another tip if your flying:-
If your other one catches it, check with the air line, ref doctors notes.
Don't mean to scare you, but I know someone that was refused flight, and needed a doctors not to say it wasn't contagious !!!

[hiccymapops]

My two have both had it, ds2 started to show spots about a week after ds1. I second the bicarb in the bath, it really helps. I phoned our doctors and he said only to bring them in if they got spots in their eyes (which ds1 did) so we had to get some drops in case of infection.
Hope it clears up soon.

[DuchessEm]

Del1, I was worried about that as we will be flying, so I really hope that he gets it out of the way before a week on Saturday! Fingers crossed!

On day 8 now and DD still has 3 blisters! The 5 day rule is not applying to her, it would seem. I'm hoping that they scab over tonight so that we can go out tomorrow, even if just to the supermarket to stock up! Hiccymapops, I hope that my DS is the same as your DS2 and gets it soon! Although I am climbing the walls having spent all week at home, so who knows what I will be like after they have both had it!!

[del1]

duchessE maybe you will hae to cover yor DS up and put a hat on him if he does have any spots when you fly

[DuchessEm]