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Original poster

chicken pox and anti-histamines?

34 replies

SenoraPostrophe · 16/02/2006 13:53

Dd has chicken pox. Doc has prescribed anti-histamines to help with the itching.

It seems this is another example of spanish/english medical culture differences. normally i just go with the uk way (eg I put my babies to sleep on their backs and requested no epesiotomy, but that's another story). But this actually makes a bit of sense - I suspect calamine lotion alone will not stop dd from scratching herself raw - she's only 3.

what do you think?

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 16/02/2006 13:54

are you saying in the UK they wouldn't give you antihistamines?

Both mine took Piriton when they had chicken pox (here in the UK).

tamum · 16/02/2006 13:58

We were advised to use antihistamines with both mine too- one in Scotland and one in England on holiday, so I think it's probably quite common. I would definitely try them.

MarsOnLife · 16/02/2006 13:59

well I'm currently in chicken pox hell with the DTs. DT2 has it fully and DT1 has a couple of spots.

I've been prescribe calamine lotion and will give piriton. The GP also suggestion phenergan for the nights if the itching is too bad and stopping him from sleeping

tissy · 16/02/2006 14:00

my dd had priton for the pox as well, but it made her drunk!

I remember spending hours sitting by her cot waiting for her to drop off, while she went through her repertoire of songs/ nursery rhymes very loud, very fast and with BIG actions .

foxinsocks · 16/02/2006 14:00

yes, I would try them aswell. I'm not sure whether it made a huge difference but it seemed to make a difference at night (a bit more of a peaceful sleep!).

Original poster

SenoraPostrophe · 16/02/2006 14:02

oh OK. NHS direct says nothing about it, and I've never heard of giving anti histamines for chicken pox, so I assumed it was a spanish thing.

tissy - that sounds very funny. ds does that when he's not on anything, and will do so in the dark on his own too. I dread to think what he'd be like if he reacted like that to something!

OP posts:

Passionflower · 16/02/2006 14:34

My Dr recommended phenergan for DD's 1 & 3 when they had chickenpox. Dr even said we could exceed the dose on the bottle (not recommending this to anyone - please talk to your own Dr first!- disclaimer)and that when he was newly qualified 9many years ago)they would routinely dish the stuff out in much higher doses than the modern recommended dose.

We followed his advice, it worked a treat.

MarsOnLife · 16/02/2006 14:45

cheers pf!

Hulababy · 16/02/2006 14:46

I used piriton instead of calamine when DD had chicken pox. She did only get it mildly and the itching wasn't really that bad. However the iriton really worked well. I was told not to bother with calamine, as when it dries out it can make the itching worse.

Passionflower · 16/02/2006 20:35

Mars, it will knock them out but if they are really poorly with it then this is no bad thing IMO. The important thing is to ensure they are getting plenty of fluids.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:05

Message withdrawn

daisy1999 · 17/02/2006 18:07

I'm in uk, piriton recommended by chemist.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:11

Message withdrawn

MarsOnLife · 17/02/2006 18:32

not 2 doses.....4.

Only 2 spoons which = 5mls per spoon... therefore 4 doses

at least I think that's what it means.... hmmmmmmmmmmm need to ask a doctor I think.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:40

Message withdrawn

MarsOnLife · 17/02/2006 18:45

deffo the 2-6 dose.

Why can't they just say max mls... not max spoons? Bloody people.

So... that would work out at 15mls. Much better.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:48

Message withdrawn

MarsOnLife · 17/02/2006 18:51

or we'll both be on here bemoaning our lot. lol only not so funny!

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 18:53

Message withdrawn

MarsOnLife · 17/02/2006 22:58

poor DT2. Have just put him back to bed after another dose of piriton and some calpol.

His neck can't be seen for the spots. He has it all over his scalp and behind his ears are red raw. I wish I could take it from him. Bless... anyway... it'll either be a long night or the meds will knock him out till tomorrow. I know what I'm hoping.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/02/2006 23:02

Oh Mars

Hope your lot are all better soon. I didnt know about using antihisthamines but used Eurax lotion on DD when she had it and it was fantastic stuff in stopping the itching. Works for 10 hours at a time so we could put it on her at bedtime and it would last the whole night.

MarsOnLife · 17/02/2006 23:35

where can I get Eurax lotion?

Will get some in the morning.

He's sleeping now bless him.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/02/2006 23:43

ANy chemists should stock it. Have seen it in some larger supermarkets too.

KristinaM · 17/02/2006 23:55

Last year when Ds1 had chicken pox ( aged 15 months) the pharmacist recommended Piriton.But our kids don't do well on it - makes then very agitated.Dont know how common this reaction is.

We used LOADS of the calamine cream. We layered it on, like you would nappy cream. Rubbed it into his hair too. And tried to avoid bathing him. This was to keep the scabs on as long as possible. If they come off too soon you get scars.

HappyMumof2 · 18/02/2006 08:55

Message withdrawn

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