Please share your chicken pox advice.

[EdmundSlackbladder]

4 yr old DS just come down with the pox. Poor little thing doesn't know what to do with himself. We're currently treating the symptoms with pain relief, antihistamine and calomine ointment, but he's still itchy and sore. Does anyone have any tips for how best to help with the itching?

Bicarbonate of soda or a sock full of porridge oats in a warm bath and let him soak.

You can get a cooling gel called Virasooth to help with the itching.

We had dreadful pox here during the summer. The best ointment in my experience is called Eurax. Go and get some from the chemist ASAP as it made a huge difference.
Also, get an old sock or pair of tights and fill with porridge oats (I tied a hair bobble around the end to seal it) Put it in your little one's lukewarm bath and squeeze it out. A very slimy lotion comes out and it's very soothing. Do this as many times as you can. Rub all over.
You have my sympathies! Hope this helps and it passes quickly.

Thanks all, always have porridge in the cupboard, will definitely try.

PoxClin mousse seems to be working wonders for DS here.

Aloe vera gel from the chemist and keep it in the fridge so lovely & cooling.

My son was younger when he had the pox but I would recommend as much time in the bath as he can stand... Maybe invest in some new bath toys and find a deserted place to play. A field or somewhere where there won't be other children.. Up to two weeks inside will drive him (and you) crazy.
Hope he feels better soon, kx

I second poxclin mousse - it was the only thing that soothed ds (plus calpol).
It was only available from Boots and quite pricey but very worth it.

DS has it earlier this year. The nurse at our GPs recommended aqueous calamine cream over calamine lotion as apparently that can be drying to the skin and make it itchy.
Porridge oats in some tights in the bath helped too.

I third Poxclin. I had it at the same time as my DD so can vouch for how good it was as nothing else cooled and soothed like that did. Really easy to apply and not messy.

Tried the bath, but he just cried and said it hurt
Will be heading straight to Boots in the morning and crossing fingers for poxclin. Thank you all for your advice.

We used Phenergan, which we had anyway for car sickness, in a sedative dose at night time. I don't know if you can do that with a child whose not had it before, but it's an antihistamine and seemed to work well.

Thank god for mumsnet! I've a very itchy unsettled 4 year old tonight. Poxclin will be hopefully bought tomorrow. Calamine cream is not helping him at all. Thanks mums.