Chicken Pox and Teenagers

[ElleSue]

My DS is 16 and has just been diagnosed with chicken pox. His torso and face are covered in spots at differing stages, some are blistered, some dark red and others turning black. Sadly, some are 'crater' sized. We are worried about scarring, can anyone recommend anything to minimise the danger of scarring occurring (other than not to avoid scratching, which he is trying his best not to do but it's not always easy).

Also, how long does it take for the spots to fade / disappear? Does it take longer with teens than younger children? We are going on holiday in three weeks and he's not the most body confident as it is, I'm hoping he will not still be covered when we go away!
Thank you, any advice would be much appreciated.

Poo

Oh good grief apologies stupid phone. Poor DS have you tried tea tree oil dabbed on very gently? Also calendula (derived from marigolds) cream is meant to be very soothing,

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childrens_health/a1534473-Severe-chickenpox-pitted-scars-on-sons-face-looking-for-support

Here's an old thread which might help.

Ugh, I was 16 when I got it too. Horrible. I still have a few scars, some quite deep pitted ones and others raised and white. Yet some that I thought would scar badly went completely. It's the ones that you scratch off and that re-scab that scar worst.

I have no clue if nowadays something exists to help, I got it (ahem) years ago and back then it was chamomile lotion and willpower!

Not the answer you were possibly hoping for, and I can't remember how long the stupid things took to fade, but I don't think it was that long. I think I even have a diary (!) for that year so I can even look it up...

My dd had it at 13 and boy did she suffer. Much more than her 8 year old brother whom she caught it from.

Good old calamine and ibuprofen helped but tbh nothing helps more than time.

Calamine not chamomile... argh!

An anti histamine like Piriton is good for relieving the itch. Bio-oil may help with preventing skin marks, I know it was good when my dd had a facial scar.

I had it at 18. It was hideous. seemed to go on forever compared to my baby sister. I had spots in places you wouldn't believe. And spots on spots. Head to toe covered, even in my ears, mouth and other places.

I have only a couple of tiny, unnoticeable scars from it, so hope fully your son will be the same if he can avoid scratching. I found cool baths helped. It was calamine back then, but there is a gel called virasooth that's supposed to be good now.

i had chicken pox in my 30s when pregnant. I only had one afternoon of itching, but resisted the urge to scratch too much. Felt absolutely dreadful though.
I remember the spots looked horrendous, like the worst type of acne. I looked like an extra from a horror movie! However unlike acne, i could see the healing process in action. Once over the worst, I could see visible improvement each day until they disappeared. It was quite amazing to see! No scars, no lasting marks.

I had it at 14 and was really quite ill. Off school for a fortnight (and I was NEVER allowed off school not even with bronchitis which I had fairly regularly thanks to a damp house and no heating.

Yes to tea tree oil but might be easier to apply by putting a few drops in the bath, use warm water but not too hot and float a cloth bag/ muslin of porridge oats in it. He might be quite ill. Thank gawd he's just past GCSEs! Excellent timing.

I can't offer any advice unfortunately, just wanted to say that I feel for your DS as I too got Chickenpox at 16 I felt really ill and to top it off, it was over the Christmas holiday period too. I was absolutely covered from the top of my head to my waist - it was horrendous (although luckily I didn't have any below my waist). I even had them in my mouth Unfortunately, my then 30 year old BIL caught it and he suffered even more than me (he had them in unimaginable places ). Luckily, I only have a couple of scars - one below my eye and one on the inside of my arm, which were not that noticeable immediately after and now have faded to almost nothing quite a few years later. Important thing is not to pick them deliberately and to avoid 'bursting' them accidentally. I took Piriton and didn't scratch once. Hope he feels better soon

Sorry I have not thanked you all for your advice and support before now but I have been without internet access. I'm very grateful for your responses and it's great to hear your experiences. My DS is feeling better in himself now - he has had chickenpox in his mouth and throat, as well as all over his body, but his throat feels much better now thank goodness. The spots still look horrendous and I am worried about his face and neck that are covered in dark red, and even black, spots and craters that look like they will never go! I will take your advice and use the oils recommended and hope my fears are exaggerated. Thanks again for your support. I just wish I had realised I could have had him vaccinated as I would not wish this nasty illness on anyone! :)

Hope DS recovers quickly OP!