If you ask everyone you know to make a list of childhood diseases, chickenpox will be on just about everyone's list, and you can't think about Chickenpox without thinking about Chickenpox itching.
The virus that causes Chickenpox is varicella-zoster. It usually occurs in children. Although it can occur in adults and when it does it is a more severe issue. The disease produces an itchy red bumpy rash all over the body and the face. These bumps are usually spread over the body through scratching of the rash and then touching unaffected areas.
The red bumps resemble pimples and are filled with clear fluid that turns cloudy. When they eventually pop, they crust and produce scabs as they dry out.
Chickenpox Symptoms
Those with chickenpox notice the rash and itching more than anything else, but there are other symptoms that children may feel such as myalgia, nausea, fever, headache, sore throat, pain in both ears, complaints of pressure in head or swollen face, and malaise in adolescents and adults. In rare cases, chickenpox can lead to serious bacterial or viral infections that affect the brain, joints and bones.
Chickenpox is highly contagious airborne disease. It can spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. A person with chickenpox is infectious one to two days before the rash appears. The contagious period continues for 4 to 5 days after the appearance of the rash, or until all lesions have crusted over. If your child has it, don't let them go to school as they can pass the virus to others until the bumps pop and scab over.
Stopping the Itch
The child's immune system will usually defeat the virus so your attention can be focused on treating the symptoms. A word of warning Aspirin is highly contraindicated in children younger than 16 years as it has been related with a potentially fatal condition known as Reye's syndrome.
Chickenpox can be both itchy and painful. Here are some ideas to stem that itch and keep your child cool and comfortable.
Take antihistamines - Consult your own doctor but the itching is a result of the body's reaction to the disease. It releases histamine which leads to the itching. Over-the-counter medications can block the release of histamine so you feel less itchy over time.
Keep Clean - Hygiene is very important. Clean the patient with warm water to lower the spread of the virus to unaffected areas.
Use a topical lotion like calamine or Chikkie Spot Soother- This works by drying out the skin. Rubbing your child down with it can provide temporary relief from pain and itch.
Oatmeal baths - This is an old but a good remedy for chickenpox itch. Fill a tub with cool, but not cold water. Hot water can increase the pain and itch. Fill the tub with baking soda and oatmeal. If you have it, use pre-packaged colloidal oatmeal remedies. Allow your child to soak for about 15 minutes until they feel better.
Another good tip is to put socks on their hands - It will be hard to keep kids from scratching when they itch. Placing mittens or socks on the hands prevents damage from being done to the skin that will hurt later on.
If you can follow these tips it can make a very uncomfortable disease a bit more bearable.
Pimple In EarThis article is brought to you by Mario Pittore and the people at Natural Family Healing, an online retailer and community for Homeopathic, natural and Holistic healing.
http://naturalfamilyhealing.com/chicken-pox-itching-chikkie-spot-soother