Quick question about chicken pox

[LittleMyDancing]

So I think DS is coming down with it - a sprinkling of tiny spots on his tummy and back so far, and one HUGE one in the crack of his bum, poor lamb.

Question is, do I need to take him to the doctors to confirm diagnosis, or shall we just soldier on unless he gets very poorly? So far he's a bit whingy and has a slight temperature, so have been giving him Calpol.

Any thoughts? Don't want to waste the doctors time if all he's going to do is go 'Yep, that's CP, get it out of my surgery'...

I think usually people don't bother seeing a GP (I never did). You might get Piriton Syrup in if he's really narky with it.

don't need to take to doctors, my little one just finished with it,
Oatmeal baths really helped.

Just keep giving calpol. Ds1 had it and seemed to not be too bothered, but ds2 and I both got it at the same time and we were both quite poorly.
YOu never know how bad it will be. Obviously if you are worried or he takes a turn for the worse then get thee to the docs.

Thanks lovely people - I'm a big believer in not bothering the doctor with minor ailments, so wanted to check there wasn't some pressing reason for going.

Calpol it is, oatmeal baths and Piriton at the ready. Fingers crossed he'll just be a bit whingy, but my nephew nearly died when he got it, so I'm a bit nervous.

And a week at home with no nursery, sigh....

I had CP about a month ago, went to Drs in case it was something terrible, he was unconcerned. I asked about the DTs (11m) and what to do if they got it, I was told to give calpol, liberally use calamine cream (much better than lotion) and keep them hydrated.

I'd not bother going unless your lo gets a very high temp that doesn't go down after some calpol.

BTW, the DTs got it a fortnight after I did and now, a fortnight after that, dd1 has got spots today - it's a joyful time

Oh yes, piriton, marvellous stuff if he's old enough! Stopped me scratching my face off.

I took mine to the doctors to get something for the itching - and I'm so glad I did - it really helps take the misery out of it.

Is your LO old enough for Piriton? If not your GP can prescribe something milder.

My 3 all got it at the same time too. The first was the most ill with it, second most spotty (scarily so!) and the third barely registered it.

Hope he is OK

How old do you need to be for Piriton? He's 27 months.

Piriton is from a year, so you could give him half-a-teaspoon twice a day.

Shall put it on shopping list. Fingers crossed he's not too ill tomorrow, I might go insane if we're stuck in the house the whole time!

What's the rules about going out, if he's not too ill? Can he go to the playground or shops, or should i keep him in until he's not infectious?

hmm, that's a controversial one on here! They stop being infectious when the last spot has scabbed over. I would avoid public areas, like the playground, where he'd come into direct contact with other children, but I would go to the shops providing he was in the buggy and take him out for a walk in it.

Most people you encounter would probably have had it in childhood. It might pose a problem for pregnant women who haven't had it. Ironically if you are going to come into contact with groups for whom it would be a problem, it would most likely be in the doctors surgery anyway!

I think be sensible, exercise caution, but don't hole yourself up for the next two weeks.

Thank you! Don't want to go stir crazy....

This is the advice I and countless other GPs give out to parents. Hope it helps.
chickenpox advice

Periton might have a drowsy effect too. Some children react in the opposite way and go a bit hyper. Medised, Clarityn and Benedryl are other names which can be used to stop itching. They just have different active ingredients.

Might be worth a call to NHS Direct on the best to give. GP prescribed something called Ucerax for DD. She was 2 at the time.

Thanks Neverenough - very useful.

LMD don't worry , plenty of babes have a mild dose-it may not be the ordeal it can be for some parents!

Incidentally chickenpox usually starts in the neck and head area and the spots progress quickly from red to blisters to scabs, with spots appearing in crops.

If it isn't typical and DS is unwell I wpuld seek advice-probably not NHS Direct though -they'll just say see your GP because someone would need to eyeball the rash!

So at the moment they're mostly just tiny pink spots on belly, groin, some tiny ones on his neck and some on his back, but some of them are starting to get 'heads' on them iyswim, like they've got fluid in them.

the big one on his bum is about half a centimetre long, and very red and wet looking.

does that sound about right? obviously I know you can't diagnose over t'internet, but if that sounds way off the mark for CP it would be good to know!