What’s actually the deal with chicken pox and ibuprofen?

[SinkGirl]

I was under the impression that you must absolutely never give it during chicken pox. When DT1 had it a couple of weeks ago his temp went up to 40.9 - managed to get a call back from GP who said to alternate calpol and nurofen. I think he slipped up, and I pointed out that the advice is to not give it - he said that the evidence is minimal and it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Ended up seeing a different GP a couple of days later and she said she’d given her DD nurofen throughout chicken pox as she didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to...

Now DT2 has it and has entered the 40+ temps phase. I’m wondering what’s more dangerous - very high temps or giving the nurofen?! Obviously I’m already giving the max dose of calpol but it’s not enough to stop the temps.

He’s still at the blister stage if that makes any difference.

Not sure why but it can cause serious skin infection by causing the spots to go deeper into the skin... NHS own website says not to use it!

yy necrotising fasciitis risk.

nhs link

Yeah don't risk it. My friends child got some kind of infection after giving Ibuprofen during chickenpox and it took months and months to recover from.

That was my belief too - I’m actually shocked that two GPs have been so blasé about it, but then I did just read some stuff saying the link isn’t fully proven / understood. Seems like a crazy risk to take, although I’m not sure how much I need to worry about the crazy high temps (DT1 only had high temps like that for a few hours so I’m hoping it will pass quickly for DT2 as well)

I wouldn't risk it ,GPs can make mistakes as I found out after being ill for months due to 2 medications interacting.

My new pharmacist flagged it ,luckily.
I always check with pharmacy rather than Gp with medications now.

I definitely won’t be giving it - I think the first guy was just reeling off standard advice in a hurry and then trying to justify it when I queried it. Luckily his temp has gone down for now, hoping it stays that way!

My dd has chicken pox in 2015 aged 6 months Doctor told me to give it to her which I did (had no idea you shouldn't wasn't the rule when my older children had it) she was obviously fine though she was quite poorly with it and a few of her spots were awful and left bad raised scars but that would probably of been the case either way

Pharmacist here. As I understand it, there is a very very small risk that use of ibuprofen during chickenpox could lead to Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Whilst the risk is small, the severity of the condition means it is unwise to give it at all. I always counsel parents NOT to give ibuprofen as per current advice, but am aware that some older Health Professionals still advise its use 🙄

Oh bless you locket, I’m sure it would have happened anyway - my DT1’s pox went almost black, they were huge and he has some awful scarring showing including on his face. I’m just hoping they go away but they are proper craters :(

Thank you Zac - that’s what shocked me, both of these GPs are under 40, you’d think they’d know better!

I won’t give any, I get really anxious about very high temperatures but the risk of this complication is just too worrying.

I just wish I could go back in time and get the bloody jabs!

Remember you can help to reduce temperature in other ways too. A fan, cool bowls of water in the room, tepid baths, tepid/cool flannels, ice lollies, keeping hydrated. If any concerns please call out of hours.

What about aspirin since that’s a natural fever reducer?

Aspirin is linked with Reye’s syndrome and not advised in paeds.

What about aspirin since that’s a natural fever reducer?

Absolutely not. Aspirin has been linked to Reyes Syndrome and is not approved for use in children.

My kids are down with this atm quite severe and we had to go hospital yesterday as they thought my DD had sepsis starting she didn't thank god, but they said under no circumstances do you give neurofen as it can just be so destroying to them.

Thanks all, I’m glad you all confirmed what I thought - now I’m just annoyed at the doctors, their advice could be very dangerous.

He’s been okay through the night so will see how he does today. Hopefully calpol and the other tricks will help

anita your poor little ones, DT1 had some that looked infected but just needed an antibiotic cream. I hope the worst is over for them.

I’m so cross that the NHS don’t offer a chicken pox vaccination - I understand the reasons to some extent, but other countries manage to do it.

Hope your Ds gets better it's horrible isn't it I don't remember chicken pox being this bad when I was younger. My two was covered head to toe even on the soles of their feet

I don’t have ibuprofen in the house as my son has asthma so I don’t use it (makes him wheeze) so if they have a temp I use paracetamol and strip them down.

I Usually only give above 38.5c if they are symptomatic/miserable with it though. All 8 and over though and no history of febrile convulsions etc. I work on a children’s ward and we don’t use it on any kids who come in with pox at all so I would avoid it.

No high temps today so far but the pox have exploded - they’re all over now. The ones on and around his genitals are absolutely huge and he’s in a lot of pain / distress. I’ve tried every cream going, Piriton and calpol are doing nothing. I hate this bloody virus!

@SinkGirl have you tried eurax cream? That seems to give the kids some relief but not much

Yes, it helped DT1 a lot but is doing bugger all for DT2.

Someone suggested Phenergan liquid rather than Piriton - none of the local pharmacies stock it but have ordered some for next day delivery. I know from taking it myself for sickness and itching during pregnancy that it’s very effective but also makes you drowsy so will try him on half a dose tomorrow when it arrives and see if that helps.

He’s had a lot of health issues from birth and takes things in his stride but I’ve never seen him like this. He’s suffering so much, it’s killing me to see him like this.

To be fair, if I had pea-sized blisters covering my genitals (and the rest of me) I think I’d be screaming too! It really is horrendous. Someone said to me that when they catch it from siblings it can mutate and they’ll end up worse - I thought DT1 had it bad but I think DT2 is going to be much worse.

By day 5 DT1 was still getting the odd few new ones but most were already there. We are on day 5 now and most only showed up overnight so they’re not even blisters yet.

The ones in his nappy region came up first so I’m hoping they’re first to go I’m sure that will help him feel more comfortable.

Just been able to give more medicine so hopefully that will help for at least an hour.

So I’m waiting for someone from 111 to call me back - DT2 has been crying or screaming almost nonstop since 7pm. Can’t give any more calpol until 6:30. He’s been screaming and hitting himself in the head, never seen him like this. Obviously he can’t tell me what’s wrong.

Since the call he’s been calm for twenty minutes and now he’s crying again. No idea if it’s just normal chicken pox issues or something else.

Hope you get a call back soon, but if you’re worried then go straight to a&right.