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Original poster

Really bad chickenpox - 9 month old advice please?

50 replies

Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 08:45

Hi

My 3.5 year old had chicken pox from nursery 1.5 weeks ago and unfortunately has passed it on to my 9 month old.

He's got it really bad and I'm struggling to help him the poor thing. He's having baths with childs farm oat milk, oat moisturiser and calpol to keep his temperature which is really important for him as he's epileptic.

Because of his age and epilepsy he can't really take any medication for it as they all say unsuitable for people with seizures and he's too young.

He's currently having maybe half his milk intake and eating plain Greek yogurt I think it soothes his throat.

Does anyone know of other remedies that may help him? I feel so lost trying to help him 😞

Really bad chickenpox - 9 month old advice please?
OP posts:
ClassicStripe · 23/02/2025 08:47

Bless his heart. Try and think of every day he’s had it so far brings it closer to being a memory. Can you contact the GP and see if they have any advice specifically for babies with epilepsy?

Duckcake · 23/02/2025 08:47

Poxclin mousse is great for soothing the itch and helping them stay comfortable.

Mischance · 23/02/2025 08:48

Have you sought advice from the GP?

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curious79 · 23/02/2025 08:49

Calamine lotion on cotton pads, dabbed onto the sores

Phunkychicken · 23/02/2025 08:50

I'd use actual oats in a bag/sock tied into the tap for the bath then you can rub the the milky sock on then. Also used to put camomile in the bath.

Can you ask the GP about a safe anti histamine? And DH found the poxclin mousse amazing for his shingles

GettingThingsDoneSlowly · 23/02/2025 08:51

sorry to hear your baby is suffering, yet to experience this myself with my 13 month old. I was told poxclin coolmousse frol boots is really good for drying up spots!

Bikechic · 23/02/2025 08:55

It is horrible, but the end is in sight. Dig in with calpol and calamine lotion.

Original poster
Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 09:02

Thankyou everyone. I'm going to send husband on a run to get some calamine lotion and have a chat with the pharmacist.

I did email his consultant doctor and he said it should pass and just give him calpol and monitor his temperature closely, that was about it. I'm tempted to phone 111 to see if they have any advice.

This is his 2nd day covered in them, they've been coming up for maybe 3 days in total so I'm hoping he won't get anymore 🥺🥺

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/02/2025 09:05

Don't think calamine is the best option these days unless you get the aqueous calamine cream. Poxclin and virasoothe have been recommended. Dd used to like a wet cloth pressed on her itchy spots

tappitytaptap · 23/02/2025 09:13

Bless him, mine had them at the same age like this. The poxclin stuff was really good, which other posters have recommended, plus calpol. I seem to remember that even without epilepsy to take into account, they don't recommend ibruprofen for chickenpox?

Original poster
Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 09:19

tappitytaptap · 23/02/2025 09:13

Bless him, mine had them at the same age like this. The poxclin stuff was really good, which other posters have recommended, plus calpol. I seem to remember that even without epilepsy to take into account, they don't recommend ibruprofen for chickenpox?

Yes luckily I read that before I gave him any nurofen. He's just on calpol at the moment. My other son was given piriton which was an antihistamine I believe but the leaflet says unsuitable for people with seizures and under 1 so unfortunately can't use that this time.

Husband is also going to get the poxclin mist mentioned. I can't move as he's asleep on me in his nursery after being up all night:(

Thank you for advice xx

OP posts:
HumBumBum · 23/02/2025 09:30

If you feel he is really suffering you could go to a&e (I did with my son who was a little older and had the rash on his eyes - we were isolated and given the vaccine which helped calm everything down)

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 23/02/2025 09:57

Oh bless him. Dts had it so badly. They hated the calamine, I think because it dries and then it's uncomfortable. We spent a lot in the bath with oats and bicarb alternately.

Keep an eye on the spots if they look like they're getting infected straight to dr / an and e.

Both of mine got admitted because of infection, don't want to scare you but just be aware. It does look like he has a very bad dose of it.

mummyof2boys30 · 23/02/2025 10:12

Virasoothe from fridge really helped my DS. Poor wee pet, looks so painful

LoveSandbanks · 23/02/2025 10:13

My son has chickenpox badly at 5 months. I’d give the gp a ring and see if they will advise piriton. They were going to with him until they saw him but he was so bad there was a risk on encephalitis 😮

He made a full recovery.

MargaretThursday · 23/02/2025 10:19

They say if they catch I from a sibling they get it worse.
Dd2 caught it from dd1 at 6 months and she was totally covered from head to foot with all the spots just on top of each other. She still has a couple of scars (adult now) but they aren't noticeable really, even the one by her eyebrow she said no one's ever noticed unless she's pointed it out

She was seen by a doctor because she had them in her mouth so they were worried it might restrict her breathing if they were down inside. The doctor checked her twice a day for about 5 days until she started recovering.
One time he came she was crying so loud he said he didn't need to worry about her breathing because if she could scream like that she had plenty of air getting in.

She spent a lot of the time naked on me as clothes seemed to irritate her more, and she wanted to be held.

AllTheWorldIsGreen · 23/02/2025 10:24

Bicarbonate of soda is brilliant for the itch. Dissolved in water on a flannel. It is safe to use on the eyes too. Oats tied in a pop sock in the bath are very soothing. But I was told that calamine lotion makes scarring worse.

TouchOfSilverShampoo · 23/02/2025 10:35

Can't recommend bicarb in the bath enough. My DD was covered and a bicarbonate bath literally changed her overnight. Worth a try.

Original poster
Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 10:38

I've phoned 111 and we're going to get a phone call from a doctor but he's so irritable and only taken 2oz milk today when normally he's had 2 bottles already.

I'm tempted to go to a and e. It looks like they're in his ears now and one has come up om his eye lid. I didn't know if they would turn you away from a and e with chicken pox?

OP posts:
orion678 · 23/02/2025 11:03

Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 10:38

I've phoned 111 and we're going to get a phone call from a doctor but he's so irritable and only taken 2oz milk today when normally he's had 2 bottles already.

I'm tempted to go to a and e. It looks like they're in his ears now and one has come up om his eye lid. I didn't know if they would turn you away from a and e with chicken pox?

This guidance might be helpful: https://notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-services/childrens-health-and-wellbeing/concerned-your-child-is-unwell-3-months-and-older/chickenpox/

Spots on the eyes is in the orange category (speak to a nurse or doctor today, so 111 is a good call), but if your little one worsens, they won't turn you away at a&e

Original poster
Anonymouskitty · 23/02/2025 11:49

In a and e can't see him like this. I phoned ahead so they cordoned us off to keep other people away from it

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/02/2025 11:57

Aw the wee soul. That's 2 posts about babies with bad chickenpox. Hope both recover OK Flowers

ForAzureSeal · 23/02/2025 12:05

Oh what a worry. My youngest caught it from my eldest when she was a little older (16months) and it developed in to pneumonia I recall (a long time ago now!). Glad you're at a&e.

8misskitty8 · 23/02/2025 12:25

Aqueous camomile cream is better than the lotion as it does dry on the skin.
Bag of oats tied to the bath tap so the water flows through them then use the oats to cover the spots for a bit.
Watch for any spots looking very weepy or swollen, could indicate skin infection and need an antibiotic.
DO NOT give ibuprofen with chicken pox as it is dangerous.

pinkhousesarebest · 23/02/2025 12:31

When they get it from siblings it is worsened by each transmission. My dd got it from her brother and ended up being hospitalized with sepsis when she was 3. I was not at all neglectful - it was so fast. I would try to see the doctor again tomorrow, going on my experience.

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