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Original poster

Chickenpox - help please

18 replies

SnowBall86 · 20/07/2022 15:00

Hi all, need your opinions please. DS came down with chickenpox on Monday and initially he was fine, yesterday he was ok too. A few spots and 37.5. Today he came out with a whole lot more spots. His temp is 39.1 and he’s a lot more miserable.
what’s your experience with chickenpox? Does it normally gets worse before it gets better? At what point should I be concerned? I give him Piriton and Calpol. Temp 39 is after calpol.

i also have a 5 week old baby (who’s EBF if it matters) and now reading all the threads on here I’m getting increasingly concerned about. I called our GP and they said there’s nothing they can do rather than let nature take its course. Has anyone experienced this and baby didn’t get the pox or had a mild case? I keep them in separate rooms but he did cuddle her on Sunday presumably when he was already contagious… worried sick now.. 😞 x

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WonderWoop · 20/07/2022 19:50

I can't comment on the baby at all unfortunately but my DD (2yrs) had chicken pox recently. Sounds like you are about halfway into the illness phase - would expect a couple more days of high temperature and the spots come in clusters, I think hers came in 4-5 clusters.
Highly recommend poxcillin to apply to ease itching. Her spots have broadly cleared now, we are about 2 weeks and a couple of days on.

WonderWoop · 20/07/2022 19:51

Sorry, should have also said. I understand it takes about 2 weeks to incubate so if the baby doesn't come down with it immediately I would assume she will but in a couple of weeks time... sorry... but at least he will be finished with it then

abdidab · 20/07/2022 20:14

Most children don't need to see a doctor with chickenpox. If they have spots, are miserable, but are drinking and responding normally don't worry.

If your child shows signs of being seriously seriously ill - seizures, not waking up, not taking enough fluids or secondary skin infection, then urgent medical attention is obviously needed.

mummyh2016 · 20/07/2022 21:19

My DD had chicken pox when DS was 14 weeks old. He didn't catch it. If you had chicken pox as a child I believe you pass some of the immunity onto your baby and this can last for 6 months.

mummyh2016 · 20/07/2022 21:19

Oh and I strongly recommend head and shoulders (classic clean) baths on a morning and oat baths on an evening.

bluesky45 · 20/07/2022 21:23

We've just recently had it. First day or 2 not too bad. Day 3/4 bit more I'll and irritable and then getting better after that for a couple more days, then just scabbed.
My ds also saw his 2 week old baby cousin the day before his spots came out. She didn't catch it miraculously, presumably from her mum's immunity. So fingers crossed for you!

eatingasatsuma · 20/07/2022 21:33

My two DC followed this pattern too. Day 1/2 we're fine, days 3 and 4 were just awful and I was really concerned and then day 5 they both improved. Took them a good 10 days I would say. The eldest DC still has scarring from the spots 5/6 weeks on whereas the youngest have all completely gone.

Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 08:42

mummyh2016 · 20/07/2022 21:19

My DD had chicken pox when DS was 14 weeks old. He didn't catch it. If you had chicken pox as a child I believe you pass some of the immunity onto your baby and this can last for 6 months.

That’s very reassuring. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

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Elisheva · 21/07/2022 08:44

Poxclin really helps with itchy spots, and ice lollies are great for helping them to stay hydrated.

Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 08:51

thank you. Guess I’m panicking because he has so many spots a lot in clusters, all hot to touch (don’t look inflamed though…) it’s hard to see if there’re any areas on his face and neck that are not affected. Only legs have spaces in between the spots…

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Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 08:52

mummyh2016 · 20/07/2022 21:19

Oh and I strongly recommend head and shoulders (classic clean) baths on a morning and oat baths on an evening.

Brilliant idea, thank you! I’ve heard of H&S bath but wasn’t sure if it’ll do much..

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Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 08:54

WonderWoop · 20/07/2022 19:50

I can't comment on the baby at all unfortunately but my DD (2yrs) had chicken pox recently. Sounds like you are about halfway into the illness phase - would expect a couple more days of high temperature and the spots come in clusters, I think hers came in 4-5 clusters.
Highly recommend poxcillin to apply to ease itching. Her spots have broadly cleared now, we are about 2 weeks and a couple of days on.

thanks, hopefully today is the last day of spots coming through and high temp!

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ClaryFairchild · 21/07/2022 08:56

Oats in a sock, tie the end, put your DS and sock into a bath and let your DS rub the sock all over him. Water will turn a milky colour, but it will be really soothing.

If you've had chicken pox and have immunity to it, that immunity should pass through the breast milk.

eatingasatsuma · 21/07/2022 09:17

Another vote for oats in a sock. And sweets and iPad in the bath Grin

My eldest looked like she'd been sunburned from head to toe, the skin was so red and inflamed. It soon calmed down though.

Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 09:36

Elisheva · 21/07/2022 08:44

Poxclin really helps with itchy spots, and ice lollies are great for helping them to stay hydrated.

Thanks, we’d been using poxciln. Ice lollies is a good idea!

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Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 09:37

eatingasatsuma · 21/07/2022 09:17

Another vote for oats in a sock. And sweets and iPad in the bath Grin

My eldest looked like she'd been sunburned from head to toe, the skin was so red and inflamed. It soon calmed down though.

Ouch! Fingers crossed it’ll clear for my son soon too. He’s been super miserable this morning, poor mite…

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Original poster
SnowBall86 · 21/07/2022 09:41

bluesky45 · 20/07/2022 21:23

We've just recently had it. First day or 2 not too bad. Day 3/4 bit more I'll and irritable and then getting better after that for a couple more days, then just scabbed.
My ds also saw his 2 week old baby cousin the day before his spots came out. She didn't catch it miraculously, presumably from her mum's immunity. So fingers crossed for you!

Ah there’s hope for my little one! thank you 🙏🏻 Good to hear your DC made good recovery :-)

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Original poster
SnowBall86 · 03/08/2022 09:30

If anyone is looking for the same answers:

  • my DS was really ill with c’pox for about a week. His temp was 40.5 for two days and there was hardly any skin left without the spots. Nearly 2.5 weeks down the line scabs have fallen off, he is covered in red spots and has a few really deep craters which I’m treating with vitamin E. Docs said not to worry even with high temp until he’s showing either signs of pneumonia or skin infection.
  • My newborn baby did get it in the end and she’s got a few spots but they don’t seem to bother her too much and she hasn’t got any temperature. GP said that she may not have immunity after this. The only thing is now she can’t have her 8 week immunisations and we have to wait for a month and a half. Which I’d rather we didn’t but hey ho
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