Chickenpox as an adult. Please someone put me out of my misery!!!

[Pollux]

I have got the chickenpox really badly. DS (16 months) had a few spots last Monday, but didn't seem too bothered by them, so I wasn't entirely sure if it was chickenpox or not. However, on Thursday night I started to get really shivery, and lo and behold my first blister appeared on Friday morning.

It's grown steadily worse. Sunday spots and blisters seemed to errupt everywhere, and I had really bad bad pain - couldn't even walk!! Had a temp of 38.6C and phoned NHS24 4 times but they didn't seemed too bothered.

The pain disapeared yesterday thankfully and I'm really itchy now instead. I coun't sleep last night at all. New spots are still appearing and I have loads in my mouth, and I think they are going down my throat as it is sore and I'm finding it hard to swallow. hHow much longer does this usually last??!!!!

I'm still bf my 5 month old dd (who, for some reason, hasn't caught them yet) so can't take any anti-histamines, just been taken painkillers and calemine lotion. Any other ideas? I'm sorry for such a long self indulgent post, but I'm feeling really sorry for myself today

there are laods of ideas on here for natural remedies. Hope you feel better soon.

Pollux, try an oatmeal bath to relieve the itch. Put oatmeal in the toe of an old pair of tights and float in the bath water. It is very soothing, and makes your skin very soft.

I know this sounds ridiculous, but how long are your nails? The more you scratch, the more you will itch, so cut and file your nails.

Sorry I can't be more help, it sounds miserable.

oh you poor thing - i had chicken pox a few years ago as an adult and counted (actually my dh counted) over 800 spots and that didn't count the inside ones where the sun never shines...i found that sitting in a luke warm bath with baking powder in it helped a little as did calamine, but only for a few seconds. i also had some hand gloves from the body shop at the time - they were cotton and fresh feeling and i used to pat my spots so it felt almost like i was itching them. i really feel for you cos i remember crying down the phone to the nhs at 4 in the morning i was so desperate to feel better. all i can say is that it will pass (but not soon enough i know)...keep going x

hi pollux.as soon as i read your message i felt for you!just earlier this year i had exactly the same thing happen to me.my nephews all had it and i was in touch with them assuming i have had it before but nooo!so anyway point i wannna make is my son was then about three to four months and i was exclusively breastfeeding him.it was so difficult but i did is cos i was determined not to give formula and even though he was near me feeding 2-3 hours he did not get it, and i know its down to the magic of breast milk.whilst you fight the pox you make antibodies and subsequently pass them onto your child through breastmilk, amazing!so pls hold on there and it will soon be over but keep up the good work with the feeding.also try bicard of soda in bath and dont put calamine on, its rubbish, it dries and then itches more, instead try aveeno cream made with oatmeal...its excellent!i swear by it!

Thanks for all your replies. I will try the oatmeal in the bath remedy, I think. DH has been really good the past few days and has taken time off work to look after the kids for me. Mind you, my ds keeps giving me funny looks. I think he is wondering whats happened to his mummy lol! When my mum saw me she said I look like the Singing Dectective!

I can only symphatise, I had chickenpox two years ago and it's horrible. I wasn't bfeeding so I took every medicine I could, but believe me even anti-histamines didn't really work with me. take care of yourself as much as you can, try to stay in bed as much as you can etc. I also felt very weak for another two weeks. I know it's difficult with little ones, but I think rest it's probably the best thing. good luck.

HI, poor thing, oatmeal bath and calomine lotion, with a bit paintbrush so you look like a pink marshmallow! Use vitamin E oil asap when the scabs start dropping off to prevent scars. HOpe you better soon.