Chicken Pox?

[Blossom8]

I had a call from my DD's nursery as they think she may have chicken pox. Being a first time mum, I'm not sure what chicken pox looks like in a child. My DD who is 3 years old has around 7 individual tiny spots scattered mainly on her torso and back, 3 of which have blisters. She appears generally well in herself. Is this how chicken pox starts with a few spots? Is she at the early stage of chicken pox? Do the spots increase in numbers and causes them discomfort?

Any advice appreciated from parents whose children had chicken pox. Thanks

Sounds like it could well be, tomorrow there may be another batch. It may not irritate now but could as they blister and scab.

It does sound like you have a case of the pox! My DD had it this year and she was absolutely fine in herself just very very itchy it started with a couple of spots and spread until it was everywhere and I do mean everywhere.

The itching thing is probably going to be the most discomforting for her so just stock up on calamine lotion and cotton wool to wipe her down with and stop the itching I also found a cup or 2 of oats in a warm bath really helped with DD.

oh no. I'm hoping to get a doctor's appt in the morning to confirm for sure. I thought she might be lucky with just a few spots but sounds like the spots will spread. Urghhh

How long does it take for the pox to crust over? Am thinking whether I need to take time off work next week even though DD's dad is around but I imagine she wants her mummy!

The docs will not want you to take her to the surgery if you suspect chicken pox, it's very contagious and patients in the surgery may already be immuno supressed or pregnant. They will probably diagnose over phone and advise plenty of fluids and Virasoothe and/or Piriton for itching. My GP told me to not take DD aged nearly 2 at the time into the surgery unless she worsened dramatically (got a really high temp, stopped taking in fluids or started vomitting).

DD's nursery policy was she coud go back 5 days after the spots appeared as long as they were crusted over. Some burst really quickly (within hours it showing it seemed) but the ones in the palms of her hands took a least a week.

She did get a fair few around her bottom and her bits which were very uncomfortable for her. DH, my mum (god bless her) and me managed to cover the time she was off nursery using annual leave, working from home and flex days. It's a nightmare, but one of those things most kids get.

Stock up on DVD's and icecream - you won't be going anywhere for a while!

My gp said to me the only certain way of knowing if its chickenpox is to do a blood test when my dd had it, but if it is chickenpox the amount of spots will increase as time goes on so tomorrow morning you might notice more spots, and eventually they will look like blisters with fluid in them, thats when the itching starts, she may also have a temperture as well. If it is chickenpox try and keep her cool, I gave mine lots of baths with toys in the bath to take their mind off the itching. We also used piriton and Eurex which is similar to calamine lotion but does n't leave the white mark, it drys clear. Once the spots have burst its just a matter of a few days for them to crust over, I found it took longer for the scabs to fall off.