Is there any way to make a child get over chicken pox quicker?

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

I know it's a ridiculous question!

DS1 has just this evening come out with the spots, loads and loads of them all over him. It's the end of term next Friday and he is now crying himself to sleep because he is so afraid he will miss it. He has problems with socialisation/interaction/communication and is ultra-sensitive, we have had various meetings with nursery and school teachers/sencos over the past few weeks to try and plan the transition to make it all easier for him. Missing the end of term really will be totally ruinous, I was SO hoping he wouldn't catch it. I feel like crying myself, I am so pissed off for him.

Is there anything I can do to make the infectious stage go more quickly?

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

.

[Furball]

Unfortunately not. You may find that he feels unwell as well so may not be too fussed about doing anything ever mind school. plenty of calpol, piriton and bicarb in a warm (not hot) bath. Also advised is keep away from other members of the public as could infect someone with poor immunity or prenant mum.

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

ds2 had it a couple of weeks ago, really badly, I really thought we had got away with it when ds1 didn't come down with it after 10 days

[MrsBigD]

as far as I know kids are already infectious before the spots come out. To aid healing I gave dd lots of oatmeal baths, dabbed the worst spots with healing cream. I used aloe vera but dd's spots weren't weaping.

Hope somebody comes along with some better advice soon

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

Thanks for replies. I still have lots of oatmeal/bicarb/calamine lotion/medised etc from when ds2 had it. I am just entertaining shreds of pathetic hope that he might somehow NOT miss the edn of term. I am so upset I could scream

[francagoestohollywood]

poor ds1 ... I think he won't be infectious by friday, so he might be able to attend the last day of term?

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

franca, I really hope so, he will be gutted if not. He's really crying, he hardly ever actually cries (as opposed to whingeing/roaring). Bummer.

[gegs73]

DS1 has the pox at the moment. I was told by the pharmacist not to give Piriton until all the spots have come out as it could slow them down and prolong the process. Therefore if you didn't give it maybe they would come out quicker and scab over quicker for week on Friday? I can't say if it works as I'd already given to DS1 and he is still getting spots a week later. Hope he recovers quickly.

[amidaiwish]

you are right about the piriton thing. lay off it if you can, otherwise the spots will take longer and longer to all come out.

[FirenzeandZooey]

He'll be fine by next Friday Greeny, it is only infectious for 5 days including the day the spots come out

[FirenzeandZooey]

This is the latest advice from NHS used by nurseries etc so ignore anything anyone else says

you may get funny looks as he will still be quite spotty but he will NOT be infectious and you can say the NHS told you so

[fennel]

Sorry to hear he's suffering. FWIW, all mine were well enough to be back in childcare/school within the week when they had the pox.

But if he really does have to miss it, which isn't that certain, can you plan him an extra treat instead?

Think positive, isn't it good that he has enjoyed pre-school and been happy there, that's what really matters.

[MilaMae]

One of mine has just come down with it, have 2 other children who haven't had it, going on holiday on the 26th so now panicking. Fortunately going by ferry to France, hoping we won't get ejected as 1 at least is going to be pox ridden.

Other 2 look fine but then 10 days thing is now worrying me as knowing my luck the other 2 won't get it for 10 days. Anybody know ways to speed up the process for them to get it as they're obviously going to get it anyway???

Can't believe they've all been fine and we get it just as they break up-all 3 will have to miss pre-school trip, going on the carnival float etc whatever happens now. Going to have 3 very disappointed kids. DP is singing with joy as he won't have to sit on the float with them now!!!!!

Great advice about Piriton, not heard that before.

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

Aaargh, he's got thousands of them

I might have to put socks on his hands, he won't stop scratching them!

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

Milamae, I do hope the pox doesn't spoil your holiday.

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

dh is counting the spots , he has counted 66 just on face and neck...

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

330 spots altogether!!

We don't do things by halves chez Greeny

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

petulant attention-seeking bump

[francagoestohollywood]

I owe you 5 quid. It's causing me sleepless nights . How is he feeling in himself?

[berolina]

Sympathies greeny. No idea about t'pox as ds hasn't succumbed yet. have been worried on and off about it this pg though, as I'm apparently not immune (blood test in last pg post-exposure to shingles) although I have absolutely certainly 100% had it... at the time they said it might have been a misleading result and I might be OK. Not long to go now, luckily.

How are you otherwise? (I still have a birthday present for you lying around here half-wrapped )

[GreengottsTheGoblinBank]

Hi berolina! That is really odd about the immunity, I wonder if they made a mistake? As you say though, not long to go now. Are you huge? And are you excited?

franca, he's very crabby and sorry for himself, and he won't stop scratching. Would it be very mean of me to say that I can't stand sick children?!

[gegs73]

Does anyone know how long from spots coming out until you know whether your other child has caught it or they are in the clear. Have a 6 week old baby and really hoping he doesn't catch it.

[IdrisTheDragon]

DS had chicken pox when DD was 4 weeks - she got it when she was 6 weeks (depsite me breastfeeding, and being told she wouldn't get it). She was fine - spotty but not really that different from a 6 week old without it.

I was told it is more dangerous if they have caught it while you are still pregnant ie they get it in the first couple of weeks. Also been told she could well have it again one day - hope this isn't the case.

[gegs73]

Its good to hear that she wasn't so bad IdrisTheDragon.

I've heard that apparently babies are immune for the first six months but have heard of lots of poxy babies so am preparing myself for him catching it. Pain they can catch it again if they get it as babies!!!!

[pageturner]

Oh bum, greengotts, have just emailed you, before I saw this! Sorry it's all so shit for you and ds1. I've no idea if you can speed the process up (didn't know about the Piriton thing), my instincts would say not. Oh bum and buggeration.