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Original poster

7 month old covered head to toe in chicken pox :( Help.

30 replies

alibobins · 16/07/2010 20:42

Ds2 has got awful chicken pox in his ears on his eyelids even on the soles of his feet
We are on day 3 and he is getting worse not better he has had a high temp and really grizzly today he is already on antibiotics for chest infection is there anything else I can do?

OP posts:
Littlefish · 16/07/2010 21:12

Oh your poor ds. The best thing we did was to put some porridge oats in an old sock. Seal the top with a hair bobble, or tie it up. Then, put the sock into a bath and let it sit for a while - squeeze it out from time to time. The white liquid that comes out is really soothing for chicken pox spots. You can pour it all over your ds's head and face to help the ones in his ears and eyelids.

Littlefish · 16/07/2010 21:13

Also, cut his fingernails short to avoid him scratching himself too badly.

TeamEdward · 16/07/2010 21:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CarGirl · 16/07/2010 21:18

just cool baths, ask for a pescription for piriton or can you buy it over the counter?

They can give anti-virals in extreme cases (been there)!

Watch out for any getting infected or in his eyes they need to be seen urgently.

choufleur · 16/07/2010 21:19

Porridge oats in the bath. Cheaper than Aveeno.

Get aqueous cream with calamine in rather than just the lotion as it doesn't dry out.

Can they take piriton at that age? If you can't get it over the counter your GP may be able to prescribe it.

It's just horrid isn't it.

Original poster
alibobins · 16/07/2010 21:22

Done the porridge oats in the bath and that did calm him.
Went to boots and they said I couldn't give anything he is just so unhappy.

OP posts:
jollyma · 16/07/2010 21:24

We used a lotion called poxclin which was really easy to apply (from the pharmacy in boots) with ds1 as well as keeping him dosed up w piriton. He hardly suffered but obviously its difficult to know how much of that was down to the medication. We were on holiday when ds2 got it so couldn't get the same stuff and he suffered more.

If your ds is on anti- biotics check its ok to give him piriton as well.

chegggersplayspop · 16/07/2010 21:24

We did cool baths and aloe Vera lotion, which soothed the spots. My ds was worse where he was hot so lots of spots under the nappy and on his chest and head. I tried to keep him as cool as possible and took him outside at night to get a breeze on him, as his spots on his eyes were driving him mad.

Piriton was great for his brother but I think the bottle says only for over 12 months so we didn't give it to him. We did give calpol which seemed to help.

donnie · 16/07/2010 21:25

if he is on the 3rd day he is probably at his worst; my dd1 had it this time last year and was totally engulfed, eyes, everything! Eurax cream was v good, piriton as well. She had it so badly she was given anti virals but I doubt that would be suitable for someone so young as your ds. The poorly stage lasted 2 - 3 days then got better. HTh

KickArseQueen · 16/07/2010 21:26

Take him to the gp if its that bad, you can get complications from chicken pox.

You can now get chamomile in aqueous cream which it excellent for stopping the itching because it doesn't dry out, also speak to the gp about piriton, afaik piriton is normally from age 1 and up so do speak with you gp.

Hope he's feeling better soon.

jollyma · 16/07/2010 21:27

You can give piriton under a year but need a prescription. Ds2 was 14months and was covered, the portuguese doctor prescribed anti virals and it was much better quite quickly.

CarGirl · 16/07/2010 21:28

dd was given anti-virals at 11 months, mainly because by day 5 she was still getting worse not better!

Usually day 4 starts to see an improvement so if he doesn't I would ask for a dr appt.

Original poster
alibobins · 16/07/2010 21:29

I really hope we are over the worst trying to settle him is a nightmare.
I have never seen anything like it more and more seem to be popping up all the time.
I haven't got any piriton only ceterizine which says over 2.

OP posts:
Haliborange · 16/07/2010 21:31

Porridge oats in the bath (inside an old pop sock) together with a good handful of bicarb can help. I bathed my two about three times a day until it went. They were so much happier in the tub than out.

Calpol for the temp/grizzlyness.

leavingonajetplane · 16/07/2010 21:31

GP may be able to precribe some antihistimine he could take at his age.

And check him over to set your mind at rest.

Or work out a schedule for painkillers/suppositories to help him over the worst of it and the fever - GPs can be very helpful with that.

Chamomile and eurax worked well for us.

Original poster
alibobins · 16/07/2010 21:31

If he is still the same tomorrow then I will ring the doctors think it is worse as I've had to stop his excema creams so that is flaring up too

OP posts:
chegggersplayspop · 16/07/2010 21:35

The gp told me to continue with the excema creams. The spots were horrendous where his excema flared up behind his knees, much worse than anywhere else for some reason.

Original poster
alibobins · 16/07/2010 21:37

He was on Betnovate which is a steriod so had to stop that and just use an emmoliant.

OP posts:
chegggersplayspop · 16/07/2010 21:39

I was using hydrocortisone cream, which is a steroid and he told me to carry on. Good idea to chat to your gp, sounds nasty. Hope you have an ok evening.

beammeupscotty · 16/07/2010 21:52

There is a new product especially for chicken pox - virasoothe. Dont know if its any good but any port in a storm.

MWestie · 16/07/2010 22:13

DS had chicken pox quite badly in June when it was really hot and we used the Virasoothe gel - we found it worked really well as was light and cooling and definitely seemed to help with the itching. You can get in Boots/Sainsburys and think is for 6mths+.

Karoleann · 16/07/2010 22:43

You do have to be careful. DS2 had chicken pox at 11 months and ended up with pneumonia. He was covered as well. If you're really worrried I'd just take him down to A and E.
Apparently the problem with giving anti virals is that the children sometimes don't develop antibodies against varicella (or chicken pox).
Hope he gets better soon.
I'll def be getting DC3 (if it happens) vaccinated

TeamEdward · 16/07/2010 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
alibobins · 17/07/2010 10:42

teamedward That is what ds2 looks like I just can't believe how bad they are the only way he slept last night was in my arms he is never like that.
Waiting for nhs direct to phone me back re piriton and sent dh to boots for Virasoothe gel.
Thank you

OP posts:
beammeupscotty · 17/07/2010 14:43

I work for nhs direct and Piriton syrup is for 12 months only over the counter so would need a gp to prescribe under that age.
www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/16105/SPC/Piriton+Syrup/

(strangely Boots sell it for 2 years and over. whereas lloyds 1 year and over.)
exactly the same product not generic.!!

www.medicinechestonline.com/ Over the counter bible says one year!!

Babies 1 month to 1 year can be given only via GP as it is 'off licence' according to the british national formulary
Child 1 month?2 years 1 mg twice daily
Licensed use syrup not licensed for use in children under 1 year

Hope this clarifies piriton use