Chicken pox - back to school?

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

7 year old DD started with CP last Wednesday. She has a lot of spots that have scabbed but some still have not. They are whitey yellow and still soft. Or have little yellow centres. In between her toes are still clear blisters. When will she be okay to go back to school?

Everything I've read says 5 days after onset all spots will have scabbed and they can go back but hers obviously haven't yet! Shes also very self conscious of the scabs on her face and not herself in terms of energy, etc. but I'm dreading getting a call from school about her attendance over this.

She's home today, do I send her in tomorrow regardless of any uncrusted spots? Is she still contagious?

[FossilMum]

Wait till the last spot is crusted over or you might give it to others.

from NHS website:
If you have chickenpox, stay off work and at home until you're no longer infectious, which is until the last blister has burst and crusted over. This usually takes five or six days after the rash begins.
If either you or your child has chickenpox, it is also a good idea for you, or them, to avoid contact with:
pregnant women
newborn babies
anyone who has a weak immune system, such as people who are having chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer) or taking steroid tablets

[FossilMum]

And school can get stuffed over her attendance. Everyone's health is more important than that. They can hardly disbelieve you when she comes back with scabby spots.

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

She was very poorly last week and is better in herself but I think I'm just thinking she's better because she's not sleeping and crying all day!!

Her attendance is a concern, unfortunately she's one of those children who seems to continually have ear/chest/throat infections so I'm sure they are waiting to jump on me over this one.

She was still getting new spots on Saturday/Sunday so I'm guessing it's those that haven't scabbed, although frankly I have up trying to spot new ones!

[RedandChecker]

If she still has poor energy and non scabbed spots i would presume she is still contagious and you have to think of the well-being of others in the school and so do the school themselves so I do not think they will be upset with you. You could get confirmation from the doctor, also.

I know many people joke about purposely trying to get their children to have chicken pox and are generally harmless at an early age but there will be children like my own DS where I try to stay well away as he has a compromised immune system and has a high chance of being hospitalised with it until his immune system is stronger and you can imagine some parents would be beyond upset if a contagious child came into school.

Maybe just make an appointment with the doctors and see what they think to confirm whether or not she is still contagious

[RedandChecker]

If she was still getting spots on Saturday it is very likely she is contagious, hope she is better soon

[Seeline]

Both mine were off for 2 weeks when they had CP. Spots kept appearing for nearly a week, so it was a while before the last ones scabbed over. If she is still not herself I would keep her off in any case.

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

Thanks that's interesting seeline. Everybody I've spoken with seems to think a week max then back to school. I don't want her home if she doesn't need to be but I also am loathe to send her back if she isn't well enough.

[MrsDandBaby]

My daughter had chickenpox at 4. She came out in spots on wed, was very poorly for a few days then started to recover, but still tired and not herself. Sent her back to preschool (linked to school) on the wed. They said to keep her off a few more days as was too tired and prone to tears to cope. She ended up going back the following Monday.

I'd def keep her off till all the spots have scabbed over, she'll feel.much bettter in a couple more days. (I had pox at the same time as Dd and it's amazing how quickly you feel better once spots stop itching, but.still.took us both a fortnight to be completely.recovered) I swear by oat baths to soothe itching.

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

Oat baths were great. I also gave her a homeopathic remedy which seemed to work fabulously (placebo maybe but she's a bit young for that). She is so much better but yes is more tearful than usual and wanting a lot of cuddles.

Thanks for all your advice, feel better for having a bit of ammunition when the school phone!

[goldenlula]

Each case is different from my experience over the last 3 weeks!
Ds1- discovered spots on the Friday evening, but ds1 (8) tells me he found the spot in his hairline the night before. His spots came in waves over the weekend, worst outbreak over Saturday night to Sunday morning, when he woke looking like he had been attacked with a red pen over his torso and face. No more came after the Sunday/Monday and he was crusted over by Thursday but not eating so he returned to school on the Monday.
Dd- first spot arrived on Wednesday, by Saturday she had about a dozen spots, thought she had got away lightly, yesterday she woke up with a wave of new spots and again today, no where near as many as ds' but a good helping. Hers started a wek tomorrow but she will not be crusted over for sometime.
Ds2 started on Thursday evening, he has it by far the worst of my three, still coming out in spots despite his whole body being covered. He will not be back at school this week, I have already told them that and he won't return until I am sure he is well enough and not contagious.
Both of mine are in a bath with bicarbonate of soda as I type! Ds2's attendance has not been great over the past 18 months but I am happy to speak to the ewo if necessary. He has good reasons for his absence.

[LittleH78]

Does anyone know about second-hand chickenpox? MIL was at cousins on Sunday, and said 18MO cousin came out with chickenpox yesterday. Is it possible MIL could transfer the pox to my 9wk DD? Does it make a difference if she's had it herself (MIL, I mean)? How long after exposure would it be safe to visit MIL again? Was rather hoping she could babysit tomorrow! Appreciate your advice

[LIZS]

Only if mil gets it herself, even so she wouldn't be contagious until about a week's time .

[LittleH78]

Cheers LIZS, she'll be happy she's back in the frame for baby cuddles tomorrow!