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Original poster

To ask how do you know if chicken pox is infected?

34 replies

springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 18:26

DD is on day 5 of chicken pox, she's been crying all day because she says they are sore and obviously really itchy. The blisters look pretty bad but so did my DS's so I know that can be normal. There are a few that have a red circle all around them, probs 2-3cm wide. Those are the ones that she is saying are most painful. Does that sound infected or do they all get redness around them?

OP posts:
Elsamit · 02/04/2023 18:45

Generally, if the spots and surrounding skin appear red and are sore then that could indicate that they are infected. Perhaps call 111 for reassurance OP. Hope you get sorted.

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 18:51

Thank you I'll give them a call. She's crying out that it's painful as well as itchy which is what's making me think it's not quite right

OP posts:
girlwhowearsglasses · 02/04/2023 18:54

If they are red and the size of a 50p you do need to get medical attention.

girlwhowearsglasses · 02/04/2023 18:55

Also take pictures now and then you have something to compare in a few hours

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:09

@girlwhowearsglasses these are the ones I'm most concerned about. The one on her leg the blister isn't actually too bad but the redness around it is getting bigger. The one on her back the redness is spreading downwards rather than all the way around it. Not sure if that's as visible in the pics as I'm trying to take them whilst she's asleep!

To ask how do you know if chicken pox is infected?
To ask how do you know if chicken pox is infected?
OP posts:
Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:11

Tried to draw a line around it

To ask how do you know if chicken pox is infected?
OP posts:
Groutyonehereagain · 02/04/2023 19:12

Redness that is spreading, swelling, sore, discharge. That one on the right does look infected. Poor child! I hope she’s better soon. 🧸

Daxiecrazy · 02/04/2023 19:13

Could possibly be infected. I would draw a circle round the edges of the redness so if you manage to get seen the Dr's can see how much its spread over time. Chicken pox is awful, hope shes better soon!

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:16

I will draw a line around them as soon as she wakes up for her next lot of piriton. There's also one on her ear that is swollen and red around it so I'll keep an eye on any that I'm worried about and see if we can see the Gp tomorrow if there's no improvement. We've had it back to back for the last 5 weeks as my other DC had it first so I'm desperate to see the end of it all now!

OP posts:
Mafelicent · 02/04/2023 19:21

Is she getting more unwell rather than getting better? By day 5 she should be starting to feel better in herself really. How do they smell?

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:24

@Mafelicent she's definitely feeling worse today. She's just been like screaming out today from the itching and pain. More are coming up constantly. Even in her sleep she's whimpering bless her. Nothing at all is touching it not even the piriton. She's been a bit warm today but not a major temperature

OP posts:
Groutyonehereagain · 02/04/2023 19:29

Just a thought, are you giving her regular Calpol and Nurofen?

Mafelicent · 02/04/2023 19:29

That sounds above and beyond what I would expect from standard chickenpox. Especially loads of new spots still appearing on day 5 (my son ended up in hospital with chickenpox, and the Dr said that was one of the red flags) I would be phoning 111.

Seeline · 02/04/2023 19:30

Have you tried tepid baths with a good tablespoon of bicarb in the water? Really helped my DD when she had it. Several a day for a few days.

Seeline · 02/04/2023 19:31

Groutyonehereagain · 02/04/2023 19:29

Just a thought, are you giving her regular Calpol and Nurofen?

Don't give nurofen (Ibuprofen) for CP. It can cause complications.

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:32

@Groutyonehereagain I've been giving calpol but was told not to give nurofen.

@Mafelicent yes that's what I thought. I was expecting her to be a bit better by now. My son ended up in hospital with it but not because of the spots, he got severe tonsillitis as a secondary infection at the same time so needed urgent treatment. So I'm very wary now of how bad it can be.

@Seeline I haven't tried that yet, Ive just been doing oat baths so far but I'll definitely give that a try

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 02/04/2023 19:33

This was my ds’s when they were infected (around the mouth).

It looks very similar and we were given antibiotics for it

Groutyonehereagain · 02/04/2023 19:34

Yes of course sorry, Nurofen for chickenpox only if ordered by a doctor.

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 19:36

@Soubriquet oh bless him, it's such a horrible thing for them isn't it. Hope he's better now

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 02/04/2023 19:36

Oh yes. This was about 6 years ago now so much better x

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 02/04/2023 20:28

I've just taken her temp again and it's 38, not massively high but she hasn't had a temp so far with the chicken pox so I'm guessing I probably do need to get her seen

OP posts:
Original poster
springingintospring1 · 03/04/2023 08:39

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread but she's now woken up with a sickness bug along with her brother. So now I'm worrying about dehydration as she hasn't drank much all weekend due to her spots in her mouth and is now unable to keep any fluid down. Please tell me as they get older they cause us less worry?? Blush

OP posts:
Snowpatrolling · 03/04/2023 08:43

Groutyonehereagain · 02/04/2023 19:29

Just a thought, are you giving her regular Calpol and Nurofen?

No not nurofen, never give ibuprofen based medicines to someone with chicken pox.

purpledalmation · 03/04/2023 08:45

Have you tried the foam you can get for chicken pox? They may help her settle.

Original poster
springingintospring1 · 03/04/2023 08:48

@purpledalmation yes we've tried this. Luckily the redness on the spots is coming down a bit today but she's feeling a lot worse today due to the sickness

OP posts: