Both kids chickenpox - husband away

[Purpledaysareus]

We suspect both our DC have the pox. Daughter is 3.5, son is 11 months. Daughter has spots all over torso & hips. Son has a few around his nappy area & bottom. We’re in isolation mode obviously but my husband is due to go away with work on Wednesday for 2 days - so I will be riding solo with both of them. Should hubbie cancel work trip to stay home & help with the kiddies?

No idea how bad it will get but I had it in my 20s and I felt awful for week.

thank you in advance for any advice!

It’s way worse as an adult than a child.

I wouldn’t be asking him to cancel, it should be manageable.

You have my sympathies though, it’s not the most enjoyable memory I have!

Just make sure you have plenty of calpol, virasooth, ice lollies and easy to make snack food in the house. And some oats.

Thank you - I was planning to get the vaccine for our eldest but it’s too late now!

I wouldn't expect my husband to cancel.

I would go for take away and calpol.

@Organisedwannabe is virasoothe better than Poxyclin?

It's not the most fun you'll ever have but DC usually aren't all that unwell with it. It's just annoying being stuck in the house. The younger DC did contrive to catch it while DH was away and I had to work so had to find emergency backup childcare. That was fun.

I'd stock up on Poxclin and calamine, do lots of oat baths, and crack on.

I think they’re both the same. I used virasooth because it’s what our chemist had. I think at least one of them now comes in a speay which I think would be an easier option.

@thehorsesareallidiots thank you. I keep hearing horror stories about children who end up in hospital with it so it’s freaking me out!

Just remember no ibuprofen with chicken pox.

No, I wouldn't expect him to cancel.

Stock up on medication, lots of easy food in the freezer/fridge/cupboards and maybe check with a friend if they would be happy to do some emergency shopping.

Than build a duvet ford in the living room or bedroom, stay all together with lots of TV and battle through.

He needs to go to work. You'll be fine with a couple of spotty kids.

Ok, sounds like I’ll be ok. The only
thing is his trip is abroad so if things get hairy it’s not so easy to get back. But sounds like it’s mild for most people

Eurax cream combined with calamine aqueous cream, antihistamines and paracetamol for us through it. My little darling refused to get into cool baths which would have helped too. Days 3 to 4 were the worst for itching. Don't stint on the tablet/TV for distraction from the itching. If it is normally a forbidden pleasure it will definitely help. . Days 1 and 2 were worse for the fever. You will survive it even if he goes away.

Keep an eye on the spots. If they get infected through itching then contact the doctors straight away. This happened to my son when he had CP as a 3 year old.
At least with your baby you can dress her in a onesie and gloves to stop any itching.

That's rare. For the vast majority it's a few days of being annoyingly itchy and a bit under the weather and then it's done. It's generally much milder for kids than for adults.

Only reason for DH to cancel is if he has not had it previously as if he is infected he will be contagious for a couple of days before the spots appear, and should not fly. If he is immune it will be fine.

PS DON't give ibuprofen. Paracetamol (Calpol) only to manage any fever.

There is no need for the two of you to be home for chickenpox. Stop panicking they'll be fine.

We used to find calamine cream (not drying lotion) brilliant. It works just as well. Also piriton.

No. Mine had them about the same age (actually I think DD was two) and we were on holiday! Just me and them. Tricky but I took them to outside places only well away from anyone rise. DD was very cranky but otherwise just very spotty. Harder on my son but still managed ok. Long week though!

Good to get it out of the way together . My dc relayed theirs so just as one recovered the next one broke out which, as a single parent meant nearly 3 weeks quarantine in all with no escape - you'll be fine . Dd2 did end up with an infected pock between her toe that started tracking up her leg so a late night visit to out of hours. Had to take dd1 along but these things happen.

I wouldn’t expect DH to cancel his work. Mine works away for a few weeks at a time so it rarely home for the illnesses.

I must be one of the few with fond memories of the chickenpox as a kid 😂 I had then when I was 7/8ish along with another 3 friends from my school class. Aside from being horrendously itchy, it was great 😂 we were allowed to have play dates all week as we all had it anyway. Each family took us all for a day meaning parents could still work 👍🏻 I remember getting dropped off in the mornings in fresh PJs with my bottle of calamine lotion 😂

Are you working? If you're having to take alll of the time off work for this bout then possibly hr may have to cancel, unless he's willing to be off for the next couple of times. If you're on maternity leave or a SAHP I think it sounds fine for him to go.