We are currently under house arrest. Well, not really but we may as well be! Currently Liv resembles a spotty dotty having caught Chicken Pox and we are enduring this nightmare as best we can! Keep reading for our handy tips on coping with Chicken Pox!
Fortunately, Liv is of an age now where she understands the lifetime repercussions of scratching at the spots, especially the few that currently adorn her face.
In all fairness, we have got off very lightly in comparison to many cases friends have told me about. Liv has remained very upbeat in herself, with many laughs and giggles over the past few days, it has just been the easing of the spots and the itchy stage that we have been preparing for.
When it comes to chicken pox, there are a few handy tips that can help you cope with the disease. First and foremost, be aware that the symptoms will vary from person to person, so be prepared for anything.
It is important to rest as much as possible. The virus is highly contagious, so staying in bed may help keep you healthy. And finally, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and avoid getting sick again.
What Are The Best Ways To Deal With Chicken Pox
There are many ways to deal with chickenpox and everyone will have their own secret weapon. You will find that some of the best ways to deal with chicken pox include getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated by drinking water and other hydrating liquids. Taking over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or acetaminophen will help to combat fever and reduce pain.
It’s important to note that aspirin should not be given to treat fever or other symptoms of chickenpox as it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Though over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin are okay to use to help relieve itching. Calamine lotion and a cool bath with added baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal may also help relieve some of the itching caused by chicken pox.
Be prepared to not go out
I was not prepared for how stir crazy I would be. It has made me realise how much I love getting out and about, actually seeing faces and having a proper adult conversation.
Even a trip to stock up on a few food items from the supermarket was a logistical nightmare… as I said, we are pretty much under house arrest for fear of anyone else catching the pox.
So, how have we been preparing?
Best Ways To Deal With Chicken Pox
What are the best medicines for chicken pox?
Friends recommended stocking up on Piriteze, a liquid form medicine that will help ease itching as and when needed. I purchased this from Boots (current price £5.29), though I am sure you can pick this up in most chemists and large supermarkets.
The same as Poxclin Mousse (currently priced at £10.99), another recommendation as opposed to Calamine Lotion. Suitable for larger areas and quickly absorbed into the skin, Poxclin help to reduce itchiness and improves the condition of the skin.
So far, I have found that it is much easier and less messy to apply Poxclin than Calamine lotion. My daughter appears to like it as it is quick and easy to apply.
CHICKEN POX TIPS: Under no circumstances should you give your child Ibuprofen based products as this could cause adverse skin reactions during chicken pox!
Get a bath as soon as you see chicken pox spots
As soon as you notice the dreaded chicken pox spots, run a bath and let your child have an extra long soak.
Not only will the water help to soothe their skin, it also encourages the chicken pox spots to form and appear quicker. Thus allowing you to treat the spots and help prolong chicken pox. This is recommended for each day.
Relax and enjoy – watch awesome box sets
Whatever you are watching at the moment, be prepared to watch a lot of it! I have jumped from Vikings, Game of Thrones, Scandal, Madam Secretary and Suits.
Total mainstream watching, however as everyone else is watching the programmes, at least I can have a debrief about them via chat. This helps me to keep in touch with the outside world!
Stock up on Ice pops
You will no doubt find that your child will graze whilst coping with Chicken Pox. The spikes in temperature and generally feeling under the weather may mean that smaller meals at different times will help!
Ice pops have been worth their weight in gold and help to cool Mini Me down and keep her upbeat. You may find your child has chicken pox in their mouth. In which case you will be thanking me for the Ice pop tip!
Once the spots have crusted over, your child will no longer be contagious and can enter the real world again. For us, that means a return back to school and life getting back to normal. Until then presume I will be watching more Game of Thrones!
Wrapping it up
The best way to cope with chicken pox is to keep your skin hydrated, avoid scratching, and take medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you follow these tips, you will hopefully make the experience a little more comfortable.
You may want to read these posts next
Learn why hydration is important for children, especially when they are suffering with Chicken Pox and illnesses.
Take a look at Small Health Changes That Make A Big Impact in this article.
