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Original poster

Chicken pox- how long do the spots keep appearing for?

38 replies

RBH · 03/07/2008 15:34

According to the info from the doctor the spots appear for 5-7 days, but we are now on day 8 and loads are coming up. The first lot came up and by day 6 had all scabbed over so we were going to go out the next day. However on day 7 there were a whole lot more and they are still coming. How many more days (and more importantly, nights) of this should I expect?

Thought we were getting away lightly but appears not!

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Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 15:50

Bump

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LittleMyDancing · 03/07/2008 15:53

Forever, as far as I can tell! We are onto Day 5 of our house arrest and more keep appearing too.

On the plus side, he seems to be feeling better, so maybe this lot will be the last?

Once they get to the scab stage then they're no longer infectious, and it only takes a day or so for them to get to that stage, so hopefully it won't be too much longer for you.

I feel your pain.

Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 15:55

It does seem to be forever! Unfortunately we are now having high temperatures and v v v poor sleep. Have kept her dosed up today on Calpol and ibuprofen so hoping for at least one decent chunk of sleep tonight!

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LittleMyDancing · 03/07/2008 15:58

How high are the temperatures? Just asking because if you don't feel she's getting better it's worth taking her to the docs - there are secondary infections they can get which need to be watched out for.

The temperature shouldn't persist for longer than a couple of days, at the beginning of the illness, iirc.

Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 16:06

She didn't have a temerature at all at the start but it was so mild that it almost seems like it was a precursor and now we are onto the pox proper! If tonight is no better than the last I will go to the doctor tomorrow.

I did give her medised early on and then read somewhere that giving anti-histamines too early on can delay the spots so wonder if that is why it is all a bit odd!

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LittleMyDancing · 03/07/2008 16:10

Is Medised an anti-histamine? I thought it was a decongestant.

Fingers crossed she's a lot better soon - DS is having his first proper length nap since Sunday, so I think he's over the worst.

Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 16:12

temperature

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Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 16:14

It contains some anti-histamine although nowhere near as much as piriton. Have made a doctor's appointment for tomorrow to be on the safe side. I always get more edgy when they are ill near the weekend!

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SoupKitchen · 03/07/2008 16:15

Hi there, we are having a hellish day with the pox.
Ds refuses to sleep to day and has a mild fever, so is on Calpol.
Still on the piriton, and his normal asthma meds. He is rattling like a pill bottle poor boy.
I can't get him to nap and he is refusing to eat as all spots in his mouth. Worse still I think a couple on his head are getting infected, so off to dr tomorrow to see if we need AB's as well.

I am Knackered, and this is only day 4

AARRRHHHHH.

Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 16:21

I am giving loads of ice poles to mine and may try on frozen yoghurt sticks soon as they seem to help with the temperatures as well as keeping them hydrated. I keep telling myself that at least we are getting it over with!

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TheMadHouse · 03/07/2008 16:26

Seemed to sail throught he pox with Ds1 2 weeks ago, but DS2 has got them now and bless him they are all over his bum and penis - he actally cried while having a wee .

He is so sore, currenly resorted to no clothes (he is only 2). The spots just seem to be multiplying by the minute

TheMadHouse · 03/07/2008 16:34

Infact I have just rang the doctors as he was screaming whilst pooing.

Piriton just makes him hyper, so hopefully they can recomend a different perscription

Original poster
RBH · 03/07/2008 16:38

So far dd1 has all of 10 spots. Had thought that maybe she was getting it more mildly than dd2 but now am wondering whether it is just biding its time!

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TheMadHouse · 03/07/2008 17:06

OK, docs said to just dose with calpol and nurofen. Give the piriton if required, but Ds2 is hyper with AntiH.

So once DH is in I am off for the script

UsNow · 04/07/2008 11:30

Vitamin C in large doses is meant to inhibit deaminizing proteins that release histamine. Give him some orange juice!

Original poster
RBH · 04/07/2008 17:49

Well we went back to the doctor who has taken swabs to be on the safe side, given us cream and weighed the kids so I know how much calpol I can give over a 24 hour period. Just a matter of waiting it out now!

Interesting about vit c- dd1 will drink it so will funnel it in! Good luck everyone!

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LittleMyDancing · 05/07/2008 09:44

Glad to hear you've been to the docs RBH, set your mind at rest!

DS is much better the last couple of days, his spots are drying up nicely, and today DP is going to look after him so I can go shopping yay!

Hope all your LOs are on the mend

LMD x

Original poster
RBH · 05/07/2008 09:54

Enjoy escaping from the house for a bit! Think things are on the up here too. I am now so glad mine have had their MMRs cos at least I don't have to go through measles, mumps and rubella too!

When the govt talks about wanting to cut unplanned teenage pregnancy rates they are missing a trick. Include a stay in a house of pox as part of sex ed and that'll put people off!

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HairyMaclary · 05/07/2008 10:03

Can I ask all you pox veterans a question? My DS was sent home form nursery with chicken pox yesterday. He doesn't seem very unwell, just a bit quiet, and only has 40 - 50 spots or so, but load of them are in his hair and they are really itchy. What is the best stuff for the itching in terms of cream, I'm reluctant to give piriton just yet, want to save that for when it's really bad!!

LittleMyDancing · 05/07/2008 10:30

40-50 spots sounds like he's in the midst of it to me - they don't normally get very ill with it, a bit quiet is about right. DS was fine in himself but got very tired and wanted to lie on the sofa more than usual.

DS had a very itchy head too, I tried calamine but he wouldn't have it, so we resorted to Piriton, but only just before naps and bed to help with good sleep.

You could try an oatmeal bath - just fill up a muslin with porridge oats, tie it up and run the hot water through it - it makes the water go all cloudy and it's meant to be very soothing. We did one for DS but it's hard to tell if it had any effect.

Hope it helps - going out now hooray! Can't remember what the ouside world looks like....

aDad · 05/07/2008 10:50

My two just had it over the last month. First dd2 - really bad, huge spots, seemed really unwell for at least a week. Then two weeks later dd1, not that many spots, seemed kind of ok very quickly. Funny how different it can be in different children. DD2 who had it first is definitely going to have some scars, DD1's you can hardly see.

Things we found to be good: Bicarbonate of soda in the bath - generous amounts, piriton and occasional calamine creme.

They loved 'cooking' in the bath with the bicarb - just put some in a bowl and give them a spoon.

aDad · 05/07/2008 10:51

and good luck all...

TheMadHouse · 05/07/2008 17:18

Complete survial guide www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=549577#11220349 here - which I have found a godsend

LittleMyDancing · 06/07/2008 13:55

Anyone's DC had joint pain as part of their symptoms? I thought Ds was nearly better but he's complaining that his leg hurts and crying like mad. any thoughts?

Original poster
RBH · 06/07/2008 16:53

Can't help with that sorry, but does anyone have experience of swollen eyes? DD1 looks like she has been hit in the eye by Mike Tyson. Back to the doctor's tomorrow!

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