Share your tips for coping when your children have chickenpox with PoxClin

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Though most children will get it at some stage, chickenpox is an illness that can be difficult for all involved. With that in mind, PoxClin would like to hear the tips you have for when children get chickenpox.

Here’s what PoxClin has to say: “It’s never easy when your children are ill and it’s natural for parents to worry about the itching and discomfort chickenpox can cause. 46% of parents say that stopping children from scratching is the most important thing for them when their child has chickenpox and 34% also worry about longer-term effects like scarring. These issues, combined with children being at home and unable to attend school or nursery until the spots have crusted over can put everyone to the test, with children being restless and parents feeling anxious and stressed from juggling work and unexpected childcare. It’s at times like this that support and advice from other parents can be so valuable. So, if you have some amazing parenting “hacks” to share, we want to hear from you!”

Do you have any tips for dealing with being housebound while your child is contagious? Perhaps you know of remedies that help with relieving the itching and scratching that accompanies chickenpox? Maybe you have tips for dealing with more than one child getting chickenpox at the same time?

All who post below sharing their tips will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

*An online survey was conducted by Atomik Research among 1,300 UK adults aged 18+. The research fieldwork took place on 8th – 12th April 2019. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides to MRS code

i was actually really very lucky when my youngest got chicken pox , she only got about 20 spots and they didnt really bother her much . My elder two were both covered in them and i found oat baths and chamomile lotion helpful then

Traditional remedies such as lukewarm oat baths, liberally applied calamine lotion and minimal cotton clothing coupled with plenty of outdoor activity (to tire them out ensuring a good sleep) seemed to work for my two but neither were too badly affected.

Calamine lotion is a must, as well as luke warm soothing bathes and a duvet day or two watching disney films

Calamine lotion and I got her to make up/sing a song about chicken pox (it took her mind off it)

Calpol and oat baths worked a treat for my family!

We stayed in and watched loads of films, we stayed in pjs most of the time. We were lucky that they were old enough to understand that if they scratched it could scar, didn't stop the oldest as she has a small scar on her shoulder, but she didn't touch any on her face!

My daughter hasn't had chickenpox yet (eek!) so I will just have to google it and follow the tips from other Mums.

Not experienced it on mine yet but from what I remember my mum doing to myself is slathering me in lots of cream!

I felt terrible when mine had chicken pocks so there was a lot of TLC given which helped as I knew it must be a horrible experience for them. The only other thing I did was use calamine lotion to sooth the itching.

Calamine lotion was brilliant

bathing or showering in tepid water (can be tricky) & calamine lotion & lots of patience as once the itching phase is over it's waiting a few days till ready to go back to school.

lots of cream, lots of ice cream for moral support. lots of distractions

My children are grown up now, but calamine lotion was used at the time. I have never heard of the oats in the bath suggestion by some of the posters above.

Long sleeve & leg pyjamas for bed & lots of fun distraction through the day. I have never found anything better than calamine lotion for the itch

My son had a very mild case of chicken pox so he wasn’t overly bothered by them. However I did do a few oats baths just to quicken up the healing process, which I think it definitely did! Calamine also was helpful when the itching got bad. But mostly reminding him that he would be okay and lots of others end up with chicken pox was perhaps what he found to be the most helpful! X

When we have to stay home we try and recreate playgroups we go to - songs and rhymes, messy play, water play, play dough, painting etc. Anything to stay happily occupied!

Try to keep them calm and explain it's a part of growing up. We explained we all went through the same and its best not to scratch.Staying off school is a bonus so you can devote your time to getting them better.

usual things like calpol and Calamine Lotion. My lil boys spots got infected so he needed antibiotics from the doctor too!

Lots of calamine lotion and cool flannels- I kept wet flannels in a freezer bag in the freezer for an hour then dabbed at the really itchy parts. Ice lollies too for the horrible ones in their mouth.

Patience and lots of love and cuddles

The most difficult thing is trying to stop them scratching the tops off the spots. Use a cooling lotion like Calamine or one recommended by the chemist. try and keep them covered up.

We haven't had this yet with our son, but I've got Poxclin in the cupboard ready! I've heard good things about oat baths too.

Luckily my son didn't suffer too badly when he had them. It was just a case of applying plenty of virasoothe and letting him run around the house in just his shorts. He din't scratch too much and they were over pretty quick, thank goodness!

Bathing every day and applying Care Aqueous Calamine Cream sooths the skin and stops itching

My advice would be to let them be a little indulgent! Wear soft long clothes so they dont itch ans ply them with treats such a jelly and icecream and put on a few films, painting etc they'll soon forgot they're under the weather