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Children's health

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Original poster

Bugger, I think DS has the pox

23 replies

MarionCole · 02/02/2010 21:47

Been really grumpy this evening then I noticed three blistery pimples on his neck and back as I was putting him to bed. He's been whimpering in his sleep too and he usually sleeps like a log.

Bollocks, I'm not going to be able to go to work for the rest of the week am I.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 02/02/2010 21:50

Nope, best give them a call. Some antihistamine will help him, poor mite. It's a horrible thing to catch.

Original poster

MarionCole · 02/02/2010 21:52

It was always going to happen at some point, better now than when he's at school.

OP posts:

Original poster

MarionCole · 02/02/2010 21:53

And he's got conjunctivitis. Bless him.

OP posts:

SlightlyFoxed · 02/02/2010 21:53

best tip - get some aqueous calamine, big pot v cheap and easier than the pink lotion which you have to dab on - you can just slather handfuls over itchy child. hope he is ok - first bit before spots scab is not much fun.

Original poster

MarionCole · 02/02/2010 21:56

I think I have some of that in the cupboard.

Might go and Calpol him up before I go to bed.

OP posts:

Just1LittleLady · 02/02/2010 22:26

DD 16months has got chicken pox too.
Like you say MarionCole, better now than when they're at school.
My cousin(6)has them too but we're not sure where they got them from as nothing at school or nursery, but they both came out within 24hours of each other.
We've only got about 15spots on DD's back and neck at the moment and shes very cuddly(which secretly I love).
She's also grumpy, tired and has a temperature (I think these are normal with CP, if not please tell me!)
Hope DS picks up soon bless him xx

EssenceOfJack · 02/02/2010 22:48

I found nurofen was better than calpol, and piriton is a godsend.
And the acqueous cream definately. I ended up putting DD2 in teh bath for nearly 2 hours one day when she wouldn't stop crying, she loved it. And be aware that he might get a really bad fever in the next few days, DD1 didn't but DD2 shot up to over 40 for a few hours and scared the crap out of me.

Good luck though, it's shit, go out to 24 hour shop and get lots of snacks and ncie things to keep you going.

PuddingPenguin · 03/02/2010 10:27

Can I ask how quickly the spots appeared and turned itchy? DS has had spots on his trunk since Sat, but he seems fine in himself and isn't scratching them. He has got also runny poos. The spots look like early chicken pox, as per NHS website.

Not sure whether I should be keeping him at home just to keep everyone else safe (hasn't been with other children since Sat, but playgroup starting again this Friday).

Sorry, bit of a waffley message there, but would welcome any advise.

EssenceOfJack · 03/02/2010 13:48

With both the spots turned form red spots like insect bites to blister within 24 hours, then another 48 hours before starting to scab.
While they were blisters they appeared to be most itchy, and carried on being itchy for about 2 days after the scabbing. The fever was highest on the blister days as well IYSWIM.
If he has had red spots since saturday I would say they aren't pox, but I'd get a doc/nurse to check just in case if he is going to be mixing.

Original poster

MarionCole · 03/02/2010 22:20

He's doing really well, a little grumpy at times and he has a slight fever, but when the doc said he wasn't allowed to go to nursery he said "but mummy, I'm not poorly".

More blisters now but still not that many. He's not scratching them either so, fingers crossed, he might just be getting a mild dose.

OP posts:

Just1LittleLady · 04/02/2010 21:33

So glad DS is feeling a bit better
I am very confused re: the chicken pox saga
spots started on monday night (about 5 on DD's back) and then tuesday we had about 15 spots on her back, all looked exactly like chicken pox...since then we've had no more...?!
took her to the doctor last night who said she didnt know what it was, but vaguely possibly a very mild dose of chicken pox but really unsure.
Her temp is up and down, she has the same number of spots, very teary and very tired but also bouncing of the walls and giggling away in between.
Doc said to bring her back if shes not back on form soon as her only worry was that we dont know what it is.
I am very confused an dnow dont know if im being overly worried...any advice?

EssenceOfJack · 05/02/2010 21:55

I have known children have anything from 3 spots to hundreds, they don't need loads for it to be pox.
The only thing to bear in mind is a mild case of pox means they can get it again at a later date though.

threestars · 05/02/2010 22:56

do you have to be completely housebound?

I presume you do, and that you shouldn't go to the supermarket with chickenpox child in case of infecting vulnerable people, but DH thinks I'm being overcautious. (just discovered the pox on DS this evening).

What do you think? I have to work this weekend so DS will be in the care of DH, so if he shouldn't be out at all I really need to make a big fuss to dh.

EssenceOfJack · 05/02/2010 23:09

Yes, hosuebound, don't take them out unless absolutely necessary.
I had to take DD1 to school (DH was away) so I put DD2 in the buggy fully wrapped up with the raincover over and snapped down and hid in the corner of the playground and warned people off.
It can be just a normal childhood disease but it can be very, veyr serious for some people.

EssenceOfJack · 05/02/2010 23:09

It doesn't last long though, a few days until they are all scabbed over.

threestars · 06/02/2010 07:59

OK, about to put on my parts then and stamp my foot...
thanks, eofj

MrsSantosloves2010 · 06/02/2010 08:58

Someone on here recommended baths of bicarbonate of soda for itching (which kicks in later). That was a godsend. Piriton made DC1 hyper but it is strong (I took it for hayfever and it knocked me out - I am not a seven stone sylphette btw ). I found the whole experience pants but am glad we got thru it. with 2 kids it took about a month to get back to normal but they both had quite a "bad" dose so should now be immune (friend's daughter got a light dose before 1 yo and has caught shingles now)

Good luck

psychomum5 · 06/02/2010 09:06

bicarb of soda in the bath.

I used it with mine when the DSs had it (DS1 was 2, DS2 6mths), and it worked a treat at drying the spots out. especially as DS1 had them all under his forskin.....his poor willy was very sore. My GP told me to use it.

oh, and if they get it when still in nappies, try to leave them nappy-free for much of it as they can develop thrush all in the nappy region.......mine didn;t, but the twins I nanied for had in and got thrush. this was in the days before I knew about bicarb tho.

psychomum5 · 06/02/2010 09:08

oh, and hope all are feeling better soon.......mums as well as children

and please please do keep them in. I have a DD who is one of those a high risk when the pox does the rounds. she was born with it, has an immune deficiancy because of it, still has no immunity, and when it does the rounds she gets very poorly each time.

EssenceOfJack · 06/02/2010 11:43

oh another thing that helped me was to put a load of oats in a sock and fastenthe open end over the tap and run the bath throught it. Then i tied up the sock + used it as a scrub.
Dd1 said it stopped the itching instantly.

EssenceOfJack · 06/02/2010 11:47

Dillie · 07/02/2010 20:19

When my DD got the pox we kept her in. Tbh she was too poorly to go anywhere anyway for a few days. Poor love, it was when it snowed really heavily and she just couldnt face going outside, so I knew she was feeling rough!

They are ok once all spots have scabbed over

I would second the bi-carb bath, calpol & puriton. She had a few spots where you dont want them, and we had to have a jug of water on hand when she wee'd.

She did have a nasty bout, so hopefully she is immune now.

Hope all is well

DorotheaPlenticlew · 11/02/2010 08:25

Good advice here, glad I found this. DS (2.5) is unusually grumpy and clingy with no appetite; this is the third day running. He has been exposed repeatedly at nursery recently.

Can I ask if anyone thinks this might be the early signs of pox?

I am pg (28 weeks) and although I had the pox as a child, it was apparently very mild. Happy for DS to get the disease over with, but not sure how much to worry about the pregnancy.

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