Chicken pox - please reassure me this is normal

[RedAlertRedAlert]

4yo DS looks like this.

He has a temp of 39.5 and his heart is racing. Google tells me this is all ok, and I know I can't give him ibuprofen, only calpol (which he can't have any more or if for a while) which is what I would normally alternate if he has a particularly high temperature.

He's been up since 3am this morning and is too 'jumpy' to fall into a proper sleep, despite obviously being exhausted.

The GP actually saw him earlier today as he has spots in his mouth and throat, but his temperature was only slightly up then.

No spots look infected, but he has a lot of them and I suspect I can't see some of the down his throat.

The poor wee soul is really struggling. Has anyone else's DC been similarly affected?

Thanks

[Snap8TheCat]

Bless him he does have a particularly bad case. Unfortunately what you're describing is quite normal but I would keep a close eye on him and seek further medical advice if he becomes difficult to wake, dehydrated, breathing become impaired.

Hope he feels better soon

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Thank you Snap

The spots just seem so severe, I think I'm probably (mistakenly) equating it to more severe illness in general.

Really hope he's over it soon, his 5th birthday party photos are going to be memorable!

[Snap8TheCat]

It makes sense though, his body is probably working really hard to fight it causing him to feel more ill than most. It's a self limiting virus High so the good news is the end isn't too long away.

[Snap8TheCat]

When is his party?

[ethanrayne]

That mousse (can't remember name), aveeno, oat baths, piriton- dd2 was like that and we got through it. But if worried trust your instincts.

[ImLadybird]

Poor lad. The mousse is called Poxclin. It's got an anti viral in it and works absolute wonders. All the best.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Ethan is it called something like Poxclin? That's been recommended but my husband chose virasoothe at the chemist on his way home! Done oat baths and piriton, and calamine aqueous cream so far.

Snap It's in 2 weeks

[StarUtopia]

You need Poxclin.

My son was as bad as this. He was only a baby. It was heartbreaking. He had about 4 or 5 different waves in total too.

Get some Diflam spray for his throat. I can't even look at pics of DS without having a little cry! He really was so poorly.

Oat baths are amazing too.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Crossed posts ladybird

Thanks. I am definitely getting that tomorrow then!

[StarUtopia]

Virasooth is brilliant for the head/face but you need Poxclin for the body.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Thanks Star

Your poor baby! I'm not surprised those photos bring back the emotions, I must confess to having been on the verge of tears for most of today!

[conkerpods]

Poor boy,it looks awful. My two weren't ill with CP thankfully although my friend's son ended up in hospital due to infected spots.
Hope he sleeps ok.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Thanks conker

My DD was nowhere near as bad as this, neither were my nephews or any other kids I've known with CP. I've been a bit shocked by my poor wee boy's condition!

Fingers crossed for a better night than last night.

[ethanrayne]

Hope you had a better night OP, it's shocking how it can vary. Dd1 had it so mildly compared to dd2!

[123bananas]

My eldest was like this, the younger two weren't as bad. A faster than normal heart rate is usual with a fever. If his heart rate is still as fast when the fever drops down then that is possibly a sign of them becoming infected.

The oat baths really helped I found more than the Poxclin, she complained that it stung. As a distraction as well as to soothe the skin. Aveeno lotion also helped.

Hope he is feeling a bit better today.

[RosaDeZoett]

Hi, my ds had it very badly, in his eyelids, ears and mouth. We got a prescription for a very strong anti viral antibiotic. It was very expensive, would only work if given within 72 hours of first spots. She only prescribed it because the spots were close to his tear ducts and could do permanent damage to his eyes. He was only 18 months and absolutely miserable with it. The antibiotics stopped the spots dead, he was recovering within a couple of days. It is very scary when they get such a severe dose (dd had it and sailed through) My sympathies to you, hope he feels better soon! Oh and another vote for poxclin here

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Thanks Ethan Bananas and Rosa

I now have Poxclin (thanks Dad!) but will test it on a small area first.

He was hallucinating last night, and thrashing about. He sat up at one point and said 'what's that bison doing there?' Then flopped back down. Sounds funny in the light of day now that his temp has dropped, but it was scary at the time.

Heart rate did slow down as temp came down so all good. It was so fast though!

He was sick this morning just before his bath but I think it was a combination of everything - including his disgust at his reflection. I have cried again!

And the spots keep coming

He does have a couple on his lower eye lids. Think I'll ask doc to have another look at them if they get any worse. Will out myself with these pics but I don't really care. His back is so hot!

[mrsnoname]

Don't mean to scare you, but please DON'T use Poxclin at this stage - your DS's spots on his back already look infected and you could easily spread the infection! I would get him down to the GP asap as he may need antibiotics. Temperature as high as that can indicate infected spots.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Hi Mrs

That did cross my mind but the redness died down a short time after taking that photo.
Maybe his bath was too warm?

I can't attach a picture as you can only upload 6 a day apparently, but I think they look ok now. Well, as ok as these horrendous spots can actually look!

[RedAlertRedAlert]

(Getting the max 6 images per day message even though I've only uploaded 3 today )

[Frazzled2207]

I would have the spots on his back seen tbh.
Hope he feels better soon.
Poor poppet if it helps my son was only really miserable for about 24h then perked up enormously.

[Missmiller]

My dd had sever x pox , her face was like you sons back. I would get him to gp to check for infection, explain how bad he is. I took my dd to hospital with hers, she was so horrendously swollen and I'll. Two years down the line, nothing to show for it except about 15 tell tale pock Marks on her beautiful face. Take no risks. Unfortunately sever pox can cause sepsis so don't ignore any signs of infection x

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Thanks Missmillar

You're right. He's been checked out again and spots are ok at the mo. I'm lying here on his floor with that sinking feeling in my stomach, dreading him waking to have to face another day of this.

Also going to have to send DH out to buy larger t shirts, pants and PJs for him as he has so many on his head and his legs now. I had to cut off his t shirt last night as he wouldn't let me pull it over his head.

[RedAlertRedAlert]

Oops 'miller' sorry!

[flapjackfairy]

I had it as an adult and yes it was horrendous and i literally looked like the elephant man . I was deformed because so swollen .
I had just got engaged and my mil to be had to nurse me and put calomine lotion places no mil should ever have to go.
I had them in eyes mouth and stomach lining and in every other bodily orrifice!!
I wanted to cancel the wedding which was already booked 9 months ahead but it all settled down after a week or so and i started to feel better . It took a few weeks for spots to go but i was left with v few scars .
Really hope your son feels better soon xxx