Shingles

[Lucy88]

Hi

My DS had chicken pox when he was 2.5 and he now has shingles (age 5).

The Doctor told me that apart from calpol, he doesn't need anything else. He was up 3 times last night and was screaming with the pain. After giving calpol, he was able to sleep for a while.

Has anyone else had a child with shingles and how was it treated?

I really hate to see him in so much pain.

Thanks

My dh gets shingles alot. We put St Johns Wort oil directly onto the rash which he gets in his scalp.

Some useful info on it here

I would give ibuprofen as well if he is ok with ibuprofen, lots of fluids, take things easy. I am more familiar with it in adults where it can make you feels quite washed out for some time, and antiviral treatment is often given - but AFAIK children aren't usually thought to need this as it tends to be milder.

And keep him away from others. Is less contagious than chickenpox but the fluid in any blisters can pass on the virus.

Piriton should help. A soothing bath with oats or bicarb may help too. Ds had chicken pox at 5 1/2 months and shingles at age 3 (misdiagnosed as eczema by the first doctor we saw!!)

If he is still in pain you can alternate Nurofen and Calpol making sure you leave four hours between doses. As the active ingredients of both medicines are different there is no chance of overdosing. You can also give Piriton at the same time as Calpol and Nurofen.

This was advised to me by a consultant paed in Germany.

Thank you for your messages. We have alternated the nurofen and calpol and I have given him piriton. He won't let me touch his spots, so I have made sure he has had 3 baths to help sooth the spots.

I am pleased to say that now the blisters have gone and they have crusted over, he is a lot better.

many thanks for your advice.