8 September 2015

DEALING WITH THE CHICKEN POX



Sunday was one of the worse days in the history of Lucas.
I had work Sunday night, so was really bummed that Lucas, was far from himself. He was off his food, didn’t want to drink, had a raging temperature, grumpy behaviour and was so so poorly. He refused every meal and snack, and that was strange for him but then when it got to dinner time and he was off his meal, I remembered that when he’s slightly off food, when under the weather, he’s NEVER, refuse a yogurt, but he did and that was it, I was stressed about work and not with it, I managed to go and it was fine. The next day I noticed that Lucas had scabs behind his ears, I thought maybe he had developed eczema and we could get some cream and that was that… We were wrong, oh so wrong, when we got home and undressed him, the back of his legs were covered in what looked like spots and bites, we noticed more and more appear and then this morning, they were everywhere except his head, back and chest, he even has them on his tongue and back of his throat.
We know that when a child is ill, it’s hard anyway but something like this, is even harder, so thought i’d share my tips and tricks with you, to make your experience when it arises, easier. (I hope)

First things firsts, the basics. 

Calamine lotion: To dry them out and sooth the itch. We really don’t want the little ones scratching away and scaring their little bodies.
Pads: To apply the Calamine lotion, don’t use your fingers if you can help it, last thing you want is to infect the spots, if not clean hands would be fine.
Calpol: To make the little one feel a little less uncomfortable, they’re prone to a spike in temperature, aches and pains, headaches and nausea.
Piriton Syrup: FOR ONE YEAR OLDS AND OVER, to help relieve the itch and it makes them slightly drowsy, so will help soothe them to sleep a little better.
A syringe: To help give the littles medication a little easier. THE SPOONS ARE PANTS.
DaliVit drops: Vitamins, you should be using them when they come of formula or breast milk anyway, but if you’re not, the certainly it is worth using during this period, especially if they’re not eating.
Rehydration treatment: It’s a powder to mix in with 7ozs of water, to help keep non-eating babies hydrated, 100% worth buying.
Another thing i suggest for very little ones, 1years - 2years is a formula powder, Especially if they have no appetite, fill them up a little better, it’s not for every parent, but it’s certainly for us. Soup in a bottle or beaker could certainly work too.
Snacks are also good too, just in case they fancy picking at finger foods.

What to do

To prevent spreading the infection, keep children off nursery or school until all their spots have crusted over.
Chickenpox is infectious from one to two days before the rash starts, until all the blisters have crusted over (usually five to six days after the start of the rash).
If your child has chickenpox, try to keep them away from public areas to avoid contact with people who may not have had it, especially people who are at risk of serious problems, such as newborn babies, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, people having cancer treatment or taking steroid tablets).
Source: NHS website.
Cuddles, patience and lots of love are highly important too.
Good luck.