Chicken pox in a cast

[BusyLion]

My 2 year old is in a cast after breaking his femur. He’s since also developed chicken pox (on day 3 so they’re at the itchiest point) he’s really struggling with being so uncomfortable, his mobility has been seriously impacted as he’s wearing what the doctors called a ‘walking spica’ cast, which cover his torso and hips and his entire leg with the break. I’m worried about what could be going on under the cast eg. bacterial infections. I’ve done an e-consult with the GP regarding this… who have said they’ll call tomorrow. He’s meant to have a follow up appt with the fracture clinic to assess his healing, but I’m unsure if we can go if he is covered in chicken pox. At the moment they’re fluid filled and definitely not crusted over - so contagious. I’ll call them tomorrow to see what they advise. We’ve been home and isolating for a week, and before that a week in hospital before his casting. My own mental health is struggling and I worry about his too. I guess I’m looking for tips for coping, tips to make him as comfortable as possible and keeping his mind distracted.

Oh no! No real advice but a lot of sympathy, that sounds tricky.
Do you have a number for fracture clinic? I think I would call them for advice as well

Oh gosh poor mite. That sounds a really tricky combination. I wonder if a mild sedative would help - maybe an antihistamine?
Also try running his wrists under cold water every so often to cool him down - might reduce itchiness. And can you get outside with a buggy for distraction and fresh air?

Antihistamine definitely

Ring the clinic I doubt they want you in with chicken pox

Agree with other pp, definitely antihistamines ! Hope he starts to feel better soon that's awful x

Thank you. Yes I’ve tried to call today but the Orthopaedic Clinic is closed until tomorrow morning, I think you’re right.

He’s been having antihistamines twice a day, but I’ll try the water on the wrists, he’s really missing the bath so it might make him smile to play with water.

I'm holding onto the fact that it’ll be a few more weeks and he’ll be back in the garden playing and enjoying life again. Thank you everyone 💖

He will still need an x ray regardless of the chicken pox. As it’s essential to check its healing properly. So ring the clinic and see what they advise when they are open tomorrow.

Oh poor sausage, that sounds miserable.

I have no expertise but if he is well enough, I would try to engage him in other sensory/tactile experiences. Play with a bucket of bubbles, scented playdoh, anything you can find that is sensory but is not going to cause irritation if it gets down into his cast. Giving him another sensory input might help distract him, especially if it can be wet and cool. Blowing bubbles, give toys a bath or clean them with a damp cloth. Ice lollies or frozen yoghurt tubes. Diluted fruit juice to keep fluids up - pear or apple dilute really well.

If you need new toys to keep you both sane, start by pulling out anything he hasn't played with for a while, even if you worry they might be outgrown. Montessori websites can be a good source of ideas for DIY activities from stuff you already have at home - matching, sorting, pouring. It doesn't need to be the most exciting thing ever. Just novelty is good and Montessori is quite good at capturing things that are much more interesting to the child than the adult might think.