DS1 has chickenpox - haven't got any Chamomile Lotion - won't have until tomorrow.........can I use...........

[fannyannie]

another lotion such as Evening Primose Hand and Body lotion or a "mums to be" Chamomile, Honey and something or other lotion just for tonight to help ease the itching - or would they make it worse???

got any bicarb?

my ds hates cream of any sort so i put bicarb in his bath and gave him piriton to eas the itching.

hth

nope no bicarb (and they're already in the bath - but no bubbles=DS2 not entirely impressed ) and no piriton either.

DS1 doesn't mind mositurisers and creams infact he likes to use some of DH's (the Evening Primose believe it or not!) when he gets the chance - just don't want to put anything on them that could make them worse rather than helping!

do you have any tea tree oil?

hehe you're a very optimistic bunch aren't you - not into our potions and lotions here usually - so no no tea tree - I'll perhaps just leave him tonight - they've only just started coming out today so hopefully he won't be too bad - and DH is going to try and get some Chamomile on the wayhome from work - if he suceeds might slap (not literally I hasten to add LOL) some on him when we get him up to use the toilet later.

A bit late as you've run the bat but putting a fabric bag of oats in the bath is meant to be good.

Never bothered with calamine much when DSs had it but do make sure you get the cream, not the lotion. Eurax is good for itching too (but not suitable for under 2s)

Maybe an antihistimine cream for gnat bites like Antisan??

ok, well once he's a little further on with the pox, a few drops in his bath will help healing greatly. xx

I think I would leave it- you really want the spots to dry up, so I would go for calamine, bicarb or nothing.

ps got any piriton syrup?

I will tell you this but take it on board at your own risk bite cream. for insect bites n stuff. it supposed to reduce the itching some1 told me when ds1 had them but i never tried it incase there was some other stuff in it.

It's calamine not chamomile isn't it??

Yes, you beat me to it Soupy. It's calamine that's usually used.

ooops calamine - I knew what I meant - you can tell it's my first time dealing with them can't you - feel like a 1st time mum ATM .

Last few daft questions (I promise)

DS2 isn't showing any signs of having them (yet) - should I keep him away from other children (ie no toddler group or church/creche) as well as a precaution (they are infectious before the spots appear aren't they?).

2ndly Dr. said it's usually about 10 days before they're no longer infectious - but what signs am I looking for that he's ready to be reintergrated into soceity (society as you know it doesn't exist in our house ).

3rdly - have I just increased DS2's chances of getting them by sticking them in a bath together !

Yes, in theory you would be risking infections in other people via ds2 because you're right that they are most infectious before the spots come out. I wouldn't worry about the joint bath- if he's going to catch it from ds1 he just will do. They are infectious until the last spots crust over, which I guess is why you are hoping for them to dry out rather than moisturising them. Have you had it, is the main thing?

yes Tamum I've had it (spectacularly so - ruining a major family party by giving it to most of the prospective guests when I was about 4yrs old ) - and I'm hoping if DS2 is going to get it he'll catch it quick - don't want him still being infectious when DS3 arrives !

when my kids had it the pharmacist suggesting giving them Piriton anti histamine to help with the itching. I used bicarb in the bath and slathered calamine lotion on them. Could you not get to a Tesco or Morrisons or such like?

Phew Yes, you're absolutely right about dc3, definitely to be avoided. This is not a loaded comment, but if you breastfeed, at least to start with, dc3 should be protected.

I don't drive - and DH isn't in from work until gone 9.30pm so can't walk to Morrisons - he's going to try and get some on the way home from work (can pass through the 24hr Tesco on the way back).

Tamum - I am hoping to breastfeed - mind you I hoped to breastfeed DS2 (after having successfully BF DS1 for 14 months ) - but we gave up after 5 days - I'm certainly going to give it my best shot (again) and see if we can make it to at least a week this time

That sounds like a sensible goal to give yourself to start with- good luck

porridge oats, in the toe of a tights leg, tie in a knot and hold it under running bath water - helped my dcs with chickenpox. It makes the water all milky and soft, and eases the itching; might help till tomorrow?

Good luck