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Children's health

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Original poster

CHICKENPOX!!!

21 replies

TheWiltedRose · 03/04/2009 14:26

Ahhhh! ds1 has chicken pox
Had a phonecall from nursery today who spotted a spot on his neck and ive counted about 14 so far! Its been going round the nursery and now hes got it! What do i do!??

OP posts:

bellabelly · 03/04/2009 14:28

Calamine lotion to help with the itching.

Ohforfoxsake · 03/04/2009 14:30

I got a mild antihistamine from the GP, which took away alot of the misery. Bicarb of soda in the bath. Calpol or Nurofen for a fever if he has one. I'm not a fan of Calamine lotion, but you could try the cream.

He's contageous until the last spot scabs over, but has already been contageous for about 2 weeks anyway probably.

Let any pregnant friends know who may have had contact with him.

Original poster

TheWiltedRose · 03/04/2009 14:34

All ive got camomile wise is some kamilosan i use for nappy rash will that work?

Should i worry about ds2 (2) catching it or should i encourage it? Everyone is saying better for him to get it now than later!

OP posts:

helsbels4 · 03/04/2009 14:37

I personally wouldn't bother with the Calamine lotion either because I found it really messy and it didn't seem to make much difference anyway. I bought a bottle of antihistamine from chemist which seemed much better at relieving the itchiness.

Ohforfoxsake · 03/04/2009 14:41

Well, you can't keep them apart and its probably too late by now. Just carry on as normal (within reason).

Its only a big deal for PG women who haven't had it before and people with weak immune systems. Chances are you won't come into contact with them, but you need to be cautious.

I would take him out, but keep him in the buggy when you do.

I found DC1 who got it first was very unwell, DC2 was covered in spots, but not as unwell and DC3 was barely touched by it. I'd want mine all to get it. DC4 hasn't had it and I'd like her to.

Original poster

TheWiltedRose · 03/04/2009 14:50

DS1 has been a bit off all week a bit wingey and short tempered so i knew he wasnt feeling well and its only today the spots have popped up so i dont know if hes still contagious or not so theres a chance ds2 wont get it.

Thank god its easter holidays now so he knows he wont be going to nursery anyway.

OP posts:

TheWiltedBoxOfRoses · 03/04/2009 18:22

Think i may have spotted one or two on ds2 but they are very tiny, how small does a chicken pock start out?

PheasantPlucker · 03/04/2009 18:25

We have found piriton really useful this week, dd2 has 'the pox'. She had 2 days of being quite feverish, so we also used calpol. We have used calomine lotion, but I am not sure it's worth the while really.

PheasantPlucker · 03/04/2009 18:26

Wiltedbox the spots are reddy pink with a blister on top.

TheWiltedBoxOfRoses · 03/04/2009 18:27

Piriton? Really!? Thought that was for allergys what does it do, help with the itching?

Hes not really at the scratching stage yet only one on his neck had bothered him a little. He was feverish and grumpy all last week so im nto sure if hes going to feel poorly again or wether its just the itching to come. Either way i thnk its going to be one hell of an easter holiday

PheasantPlucker · 03/04/2009 18:27

PS We have kept dd2 away from some elderly friends of ours, as we worried chicken pox might compromise their immne systems. They have been a bit run down lately.

PheasantPlucker · 03/04/2009 18:29

Re Piriton; it says on the bottle it is useful for chicken pox. A mum at school who used to be a nursing sister suggested a try it out. She used it when her dcs had chicken pox too.

izyboy · 03/04/2009 18:30

Dont panic, you dont really need to do anything, a spot of piriton maybe, calpol if there is a fever.

TheWiltedBoxOfRoses · 03/04/2009 18:30

Thank you i didnt know that!
Any tips are always good ive not yet had to deal with any childhod illnesses with mine they stay remarkeby healthy considering they eat junk food and are a bit lazy

PheasantPlucker · 03/04/2009 18:32

Hope your ds is better asap, and that Easter is Ok for you all.

LadyTrimmer · 03/04/2009 18:34

The itching and redness in chickenpox is caused by histamine release at teh site of the rash. Piriton is an anti-histamine so stops the itching.

Piriton is the bees knees for chicken pox (if over 12m) - and personally we didn't need calamine when we were using Piriton.

He is contagious for 5 days from the apearance of first spot.

TheWiltedBoxOfRoses · 03/04/2009 18:36

1st spot appeard yesterday so ive got 5 days to get ds2 to hug him and generally spread the spots lol
I feel a bit mean hoping ds2 gets all spotty and irritable but everyone has said better to get it now than later?

LadyTrimmer · 03/04/2009 18:43

Actually it would be more effective to get hime to cough and splutter all over him

TheWiltedBoxOfRoses · 03/04/2009 18:45

What shall i do then? Sneak up behind him and give him the heimlech in front of ds2!?

racmac · 03/04/2009 18:46

DS2 came down with this last Friday - i posted here about it.
He has had piriton and its stopped the itching - bit of calpol when feeling really rough but other than not going to nursery he's ok.

Just on spot check with ds3 now!

LadyTrimmer · 03/04/2009 18:48

TBH they are more contagious before the spots...what will bewill be!

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