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How to Keep a Child With Chickenpox Comfortable
Maintain a Comfortable Resting Environment
Ensuring your child has a restful and calm environment is crucial. Keep the room cool, as heat can increase itchiness. Use lightweight clothing and soft, breathable sheets to help them stay comfortable. Encourage frequent resting by providing books, puzzles, and quiet activities to keep them occupied without overexerting themselves.
Relieve Itching with Topical Treatments
Itching can be particularly distressing for children with chickenpox. Use calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to soothe the skin. Oatmeal baths can also provide relief; simply add a cup of colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and let your child soak for about 15-20 minutes. Pat the skin dry gently afterwards to avoid irritation.
Maintain a Gentle Skincare Routine
When dealing with blisters and sores, maintaining a gentle skincare routine is essential. Bathe your child daily in lukewarm water using mild, fragrance-free soap. Avoid picking or scratching the blisters as this can lead to scarring and secondary bacterial infections. Keep their nails trimmed short to reduce the risk of scratching.
Keep Hydrated and Well-Nourished
Hydration is key to recovery. Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids such as water, diluted fruit juices, and herbal teas. If they have sores in their mouth, avoid acidic or spicy foods that may cause discomfort. Offer soft, bland foods like porridge, bananas, and yogurt.
Monitor Fever and Pain
Chickenpox often comes with fever and discomfort. Use paracetamol (acetaminophen) to manage fever and pain, but avoid giving ibuprofen, as it can increase the risk of severe skin reactions in children with chickenpox. Always follow dosing instructions and consult your GP before administering any medication.
Prevent Secondary Infections
To prevent secondary infections, teach your child the importance of good hand hygiene. Make sure they wash their hands regularly and avoid sharing personal items like towels and clothes. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection, such as increased redness or pus in the blisters, and contact your healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms.
Seek Medical Advice When Necessary
While chickenpox is generally a mild illness, it's important to be aware of any complications. If your child is experiencing difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, or severe headaches, seek medical advice promptly. Additionally, if your child has a compromised immune system or is under one year old, contact your GP for further guidance.
By following these tips, you can help your child feel more comfortable and supported during their bout with chickenpox, ensuring a smoother and less distressing recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing to do when my child has chickenpox?
Ensure they get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. Adequate rest helps their body fight the infection more efficiently.
How can I reduce my child's fever safely?
You can give them paracetamol to manage fever. Avoid giving aspirin, as it can lead to serious complications in children with chickenpox.
What can I do to relieve my child's itching?
Use calamine lotion or antihistamines to soothe itching. Keeping their nails short can also help prevent scratching and subsequent infections.
Are there specific foods my child should eat during chickenpox?
Offer them soft foods and plenty of fluids to keep them nourished. Avoid acidic or salty foods, which can irritate mouth sores if any are present.
What type of clothing should my child wear?
Dress them in loose, comfortable clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton to avoid irritation of the blisters and skin.
Can my child take a bath while having chickenpox?
Yes, giving them regular lukewarm baths with added baking soda or colloidal oatmeal can help soothe their skin. Always pat dry gently.
Should I keep my child away from school?
Yes, keep them home from school and other group activities until all the chickenpox blisters have crusted over, which usually takes about 5-7 days from when the rash first appears.
Is it okay to let my child play outside?
As long as they feel well enough and avoid direct sunlight, which can exacerbate itching. Ensure they avoid close contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.
When should I call a doctor during my child's chickenpox?
Seek medical advice if your child develops a high fever, difficulty breathing, signs of a secondary bacterial infection, or if they seem unusually lethargic.
Can my child use over-the-counter pain relievers?
Paracetamol is safe, but avoid ibuprofen as it can increase the risk of severe skin infections in children with chickenpox.
How can I prevent my child from scratching the blisters?
Keep their nails trimmed short, consider using mittens or gloves if necessary, and use anti-itch treatments to reduce discomfort.
Is there a vaccine for chickenpox?
Yes, the chickenpox vaccine is available and recommended as part of the childhood vaccination schedule in the UK. It is not part of the routine NHS vaccination, but it can be given privately.
What should I do if my child has a severe case of chickenpox?
Contact your GP for advice. In severe cases, antiviral medications may be prescribed to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Can adults catch chickenpox from children?
Yes, adults who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine can catch it from an infected child. Chickenpox tends to be more severe in adults.
What precautions should I take if I have other children at home?
Keep the infected child isolated as much as possible, practice good hand hygiene, and ensure that other children are up-to-date on their chickenpox vaccinations.
Useful Links
Useful links from: How to care for someone with chicken pox
- NHS - Chickenpox Comprehensive guide from the NHS on chickenpox, including symptoms, treatments, and when to seek medical advice.
- NHS Inform - Chickenpox Detailed information from NHS Inform on chickenpox, providing advice on managing symptoms and preventing the spread of the virus.
- Patient.info - Chickenpox Resource from Patient.info on caring for children with chickenpox, including treatments and tips for relief.
- British Skin Foundation - Chickenpox Information on chickenpox from the British Skin Foundation, focusing on skin care and symptom management.
Useful links from: Dealing with Common Childhood Illnesses
- NHS - Childhood illnesses This NHS page provides an overview of common childhood illnesses and how to spot their symptoms. It also covers when to seek medical advice.
- NHS - Common health questions: Children's health A collection of frequently asked questions about children's health, answered by the NHS. Topics include fever management, vaccinations, and dealing with common ailments.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital - Conditions and Treatments Great Ormond Street Hospital's resource for understanding various childhood conditions and the treatments available. The site offers detailed information on specific illnesses.
- The Lullaby Trust - Illnesses and infections The Lullaby Trust provides advice on safer sleep for babies and key information on dealing with illnesses and infections in infants.
Useful links from: Common health questions about chickenpox | NHS
- NHS - Chickenpox Overview Comprehensive overview of chickenpox, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention tips provided by the NHS.
- NHS - Chickenpox Treatment Detailed information about chickenpox treatment and relief measures available through NHS resources.
- NHS - Chickenpox Vaccination FAQ about the chickenpox vaccine, its effectiveness, and eligibility criteria, provided by the NHS.
- British Skin Foundation - Chickenpox Information Information on chickenpox, its symptoms, complications, and treatments provided by the British Skin Foundation.
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- Ergsy carfully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings .
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.