Bring me your chickenpox intel

[YukoandHiro]

Eldest (4) has the pox. It's not been the best few days but we're through the worst and she's scabbing over nicely now and getting her energy back. Tomorrow will be day 8 for her.

Younger sister (1) has been off her food since Monday and last two days has been really irritable with a sore throat and some little blisters on her tongue. She's refusing breastfeeds and generally in an awful mood, nights have become screamy. She also had a fever for one night ... but no spots have arrived yet.

Does this sound like a long run in to chicken pox? If she's not got spot or improved by Friday I'm tempted to take her to the gp as she's so out of character

Chickenpox! Haaaa! It's been 5 days and my 5 y.o has only just started getting her energy back.
I think using Head and Shoulders as bubble bath really helps with the itch.
I had chickeponx twice. The first time I was a baby like your youngest and my immune system didn't build up enough immunity to it. I've been told that's very rare though so don't worry but keep that fact at the back of your head for future reference (worst case scenario thing!).
You know your baby better than anybody else. You're clearly worried, so go and see a doctor. No harm done! Maybe you haven't found the right pediatrician yet? The right doctor should treat you right. Don't second-guess your instincts regarding your kids. Second-guess the doctor instead and get a new one if need be.
I think a baby not eating much since monday is enough to see a pro.

Don't give ibuprofen whilst you're not sure it's the pox, and do not give it at all if it is chicken pox. It can cause the skin to breakdown and become infected

If it is chicken pox, once the itching starts- oat baths (oatmeal in tights, hung under the running tap) are a godsend!

Generally chicken pox start around the thighs/ abdomin. It would be unusual to start in the throat. I'd have her looked at just to be safe. It could be hand/foot/mouth disease

Actually sounds more like scarlet fever? If so will need antibiotics

Ring 111 or call GP and get out of hours number.

Thanks, she just woke screaming again and refused to be cuddled properly or fed before falling back to sleep so I will call the GP as soon as they open in the morning.

I don’t want to alarm you, but if you ring 111, they will call you back and maybe able to get a prescription sent to nearest chemist. If it’s scarlet fever, it’s better to get antibiotics asap. Hope she feels better soon x

Thanks - I don't think it's scarlet fever but I've got myself all wound up about meningitis now and might just tho to a&e anyway.
We've been so many times recently I'm worried I'll start to get a reputation, but our GP has let us down a bit

take her to a&e. It is better to be sure. She’s not feeding and is clearly in pain. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks- you know your child better than anyone. You don’t need to worry about anyone else’s opinion. Just take her x

In this situation you are not unreasonable to take her to A&E.

Ok well I took her in and we're waiting now and of course she's now calm and has take a feed!

I took mine in middle of night for fever once, fever came down as soon as we arrived. They were happy to see her anyway and just glad the temperature was under control. You are completely right to get your baby seen if you feel she needs it x

Thanks everyone. They saw her and were happy that it's nothing serious. It's clear this afternoon that it's hand foot and mouth.

I just posted another thread on this as it's obvious that she's going to end up with both at once - HFM and pox. Poor thing! Has anyone else seen this?

You can get pox blisters in the mouth, I did.

I know but they arrive later than the other ones apparently.

If anyone is following this, it was HFM.

She still incubating the chicken pox...