Anyone got any tips on best ways to treat severe chicken pox?

[LiliAnjelika]

MY dd who is 2 years old has reay bad chicken pox. Last night she couldn't sleep at all because of the itching, so my partner and I took it in turns to stay up with her. Today she's in a foul mood and is literay writhing on the sofa. I've tried calamine, but doesn't seem to help much. Have been told to try Piriton and an oatmeal bath. Any other tips anyone?

We used Eurax and it worked very well for us. Thre was a thread on this with lots of advice last night I think .. here you go . Good luck.

Not sure how recommended this is, but with dd we gave her phenergen at night. It's suitable for use with over 2s and really really helped her sleep. Also used Eurax cream/lotion on her which seemed more effective than calamine.

apparently bicarb of soda in a luke warm bath can help with the itching - my friend's DS just had a bout of chicken pox and she said it really helped

Just found last night's thread. Brilliant, thanks. Also will definitely try bicarb in lukewarm bath because apparently oatmeal can clog the drains.

Hi - can I add caution about the piriton? I know DS was probably unusual, but it made him completely hyper, which really frightened him and made everything so much worse.... I ended up using medised, which is also an antihistimine, that I knew was OK. Only thing was to remember it also had paracetamol in it.......

Also, I used ready brek (I know!) because that's all we had, but actually it meant that it really made a gloop that you could squeeze out of the sock etc. and swab his back with it.......... worked a charm. Also, Eurax is terrific.

Also, pulsatilla and rhus tox.. if you use alternatives.

DS has been so unwell for the last few days, and is finally turning the corner today (10 days later)so I would just caution that if any of the spots look infected get to the doctor. The GP took it seriously, and he's now on big anti-b's. he also said not to be afraid of using your maximum doses of nurofen and calpol each 24 hours for a couple of days as it really really does make them feel shockingly bad. Just FYI...

Good luck! YOu have my deepest sympathies...

Thanks Jackaroo. I've already used the Piriton though - not sure what to expect. She doesn't seem at a hyper, but not really sleepy either.

Just found this oatmeal bath lotion called Aveena. It's bloody expensive (£8 a bottle) but it seems to have calmed down the itching and I couldn't face faffing with nylon stockings and oatmeal and blocked drains!

Agree, Eurax is brilliant.