Almost all of us have had chicken pox at least once in our lives, usually when we were kids. Some of us have even suffered from the pox twice, and it certainly isn’t a fun experience that we’d like to put into our scrapbooks. Chicken pox is one of the more commonly acquired skin infections caused by viruses. Some of the common viral infections in children include chicken pox, measles, rubella, and mononucleosis (mono in short). All of these conditions are highly contagious.
Symptoms of Chicken Pox
This is characterized by a fever and bumpy rash that itches an awful lot. Most people acquire lifetime immunity to the virus once exposed to it in childhood. When acquired in adulthood for the first time, it is usually a much stronger strain than in children and can be quite detrimental to one’s health if not adequately cared for. It starts out as spots that develop into puss-filled lesions. It usually clears up in a maximum of 14 days.
Home Remedies for Chicken Pox
There aren’t any quick cures for chicken pox, but there are a lot of things that can be done to relieve the patient’s distress.
- Rest plenty! Children should maintain a sedative level of activity during this period and avoid running around too much. However, this doesn’t mean that they need to be sleeping 24/7 either. All in good measure is the best solution.
- Dab the bumps with calamine lotion using a cotton swab twice daily to reduce itchiness.
- Avoid infection and maintain skin hygiene by using a sponge to bathe the body over a once or twice a day.
- Don’t let your child scratch. Scratching could leave lifelong scars behind.
- Do NOT give your child aspirin in an attempt to lower his fever. This could develop a situation in which his/her liver and brain is seriously affected!
If symptoms persist even after 2 weeks have passed, you should consult with a doctor for professional medical advice and guidance.
