Chickenpox and doctors - AIBU?

[tiredmammma]

Shamelessly posting here for traffic as I'm genuinely not sure what to do.

I have a baby who is a little under a year old. She's got a terrible case of chickenpox - I mean terrible as my eldest had it recently and had a "normal" amount.

They're in her mouth so she can barely eat but she is breastfeeding. She's scratching and screaming day and night, very distressed and COVERED in them.

I called the doc yesterday as some of the spots look sore. They didn't see her but gave some prescriptions including antibiotic cream in case of infection. I don't think they're infected but at night her temperature is high, she's occasionally being sick, she has mild diarrhea and just won't stop crying. AIBU to phone again when they've already said there's not a lot they can do? It just doesn't seem right to leave a baby like this.

What do you think they will do if you phone again? Not being rude here but ask yourself what outcome you are looking for. They have given you cream in case of infection, the rest is just the usual fluids and monitor. Are you giving calpol?

Not unreasonable at all. I'm a GP, and if a child is that young and their parent is worried about them, even if there's an apparent explanation for them being unwell I'd want to see and examine them.

I'm sorry that your little one is struggling. I had chicken pox very badly as a child, and dd was also incredibly poorly with it. It's horrible, but the reality is that there probably isn't much that they can do.

Chicken pox can (very occasionally) have serious complications though, so if you're really concerned, then I think it's fine for you to ring the doctor again. Better safe than sorry.

Hope that she is better soon!

If the fever isn't going down, if they keep throwing up and whatnot, definitely take them!

Otherwise just give them some paracetamol at night, plenty of calamine lotion on those spots (apply with a cotton bud if you can't find the cream version). Just keep applying on top on top doesn't matter.

Some people do oat baths 🤷🏻‍♀️ I didn't bother with bathing mine..... I think only once after the spots were slightly better

We found the oat baths amazing recently for DD, put them in a sock, and then she played with the sock in the bath as it goes mind of milky. If in doubt phone again, I don’t think there’s much they can do unless she needs hospital treatment which can occur occasionally, but your not a doctor (I assume) so don’t feel bad about asking one. Particularly as your baby isn’t old enough to tell you if they have chest pain etc

She's only tiny so never be afraid to ring the GP when you're worried. It's totally fine.

If you are concerned I would call back. I knew someone whose 6 week old developed sepsis from chicken pox so definitely better to be safe

DD had CP not overly bad on outside but ended up in hospital due to them going internal and just being so unwell. Only in 2 nights and then bounced back so if in doubt call them

Thanks for all the advice. Calling again as I think she does need to be seen.

Are they predominantly on legs mouth and nappy area? If so it isn't chicken pox - it's HFM.

But thats probably been said a lot already.

DO NOT DO THIS.

Calamine lotion makes the spots worse and itchier as it dries them out. Absolutely outdated advice.

If it is chicken pox, then you want poxclin mouuse and some liquid piriton to ease the itching.

Thanks for the advice. It's definitely chickenpox, we've been waiting for it after my eldest had it, I've got topical creams recommended by the doctor and pharmacy but her case seems to have gone a bit beyond that.

We had a child in DD nursery hospitalised recently due to CP.

I wouldn't take any chances (child in question had the worst I've ever seen to be honest. Despite his siblings having a relatively mild cases The parent posted a pic to the group chat! )

@MiniPiccolo I just followed my GPs advice 🤷🏻‍♀️ it did work

We’ve just had the same with my girl, she’s on day 12 now and has been slowly on the up for the last 5/6 days. She had it everywhere, inside nose, mouth, inside ears. Her bits were blister to blister. We did lots of oat baths, lots of bicarbonate of soda baths and lots of anti dandruff shampoo.

She spent maybe 2/3 hours a day at her worst in the bath and that with calpol were the only things to really help. It did get better though and they’re all dry and slowly dropping. (She was just over 6 months). Hope your baby improves soon!

My friends baby just had a severe bout of chicken pox and was hospitalised on a drip for 2 days. Keep persevering to be seen!!!

I'm a GP - I often disagree with GP bashing threads but I would never refuse to see an ill child of that age.

Could I just check - did you make it clear that you wanted her to be seen?

I would absolutely call back and ask to be seen. She's so little.

Not relevant to the OP but please please vaccinate your DCs. It's so easy to do and avoids all the pain and upset.

It's also very expensive and inaccessible to lots of people for that reason

Absolutely be seen!tell them you are worried about Risk of sepsis of strep a infection xx

When my DD had chickenpox age 3, I thought some of her spots started looking rather yuck, but I didn’t know what was ‘’normal”. I also didn’t know at what point I should be concerned that her fever wasn’t going away.
When both the spots and the fever only seemed to be getting worse, I called 111 - she ended up being admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics, and was in for three days.
I always wish I’d called sooner, even though I wasn’t sure if I would be making a fuss unnecessarily…

Boggles my brain that we don’t vaccinate in this country because it’s a “mild illness”

my kids had it a few months ago and mild isn’t a word I’d have associated with my elder son’s case. Was everywhere and he was I’ll with it.

Chicken Pox can kill.
If you have concerns please phone your GP or 111 for advice.

Chances are she will be fine but it isn't worth the risk.

Have the pharmacy etc recommended piriton? If not give it a whirl as it will help take the itch out. Also if she has them in her mouth try ice chips or frozen yoghurt to help soothe her mouth.

Hope she is OK @tiredmammma

Hope all is ok OP. Not saying this to frighten you but this sound exactly like my boy when he was 10 months old. The walk in centre said paracetamol and calamine lotion. Took him back to go the next day who sent us to A&E, he had a secondary infection and was quite I’ll, ended up on IVAs for 5 days. It’s always worth a second opinion if you’re not happy.

Poor thing, I hope she is over the worst of it soon. I have no advice as mine haven't had it, but you know your baby best. If you think she needs seeing then push to get her seen.

Obviously it is too late for OP, but in case others don't know (I didn't), you can get the chicken pox vaccine privately - it's quite pricey and you need two doses, but if you can afford it then the option is there.