Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.
CHICKEN POX
SYMPTOMS
• A very itchy rash that spread from the torso so the neck. Face, and limbs. The rash, lasting 7 to 10 days, progress from red spots to fluid filled blister that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, around the eyes, or on the genitals, and can be very painful. See also the visual diagnostic guide.
WHAT IS CHICKENPOX
Chickenpox, a viral illness characterized by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood. It is usually mild in children, but adults run the risk of serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia. People who have had chickenpox develop lifetime immunity. But the virus remains dormant in the body, and if you had chickenpox as a child, you may latter develop shingles. Because chickenpox can pass from pregnant woman to her unborn child, possibly causing birth defects, doctor often devise women considering pregnancy to confirm their immunity with blood test.
CAUSES
Chickenpox is cause by the herpes zoster virus, also known as the varicella zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or by contact with the clothing, bed linens, or oozing vesicles of an infected person. The incubation period is 7 to 21 days; the disease is most contagious a day before the rash appears and up to 7 days after, or until the rash forms scabs.
TREATMENT
Chickenpox is extremely contagious. Keep your child home until most of the vesicles are dry and scabs have fallen off.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
Your pediatrician may prescribe an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, to relieve pain and swelling. Antibiotics are called for if a secondary bacterial pneumonia. Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, is sometimes prescribed in severe cases, although some doctors quotations it effectiveness.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
For itching herbalist recommend the following wash: add 1 oz. each dried rosemary and calendula to 1 qtr. water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for five minutes. Strain, discard the herbs, and allow the wash to cool. press a washcloth dampened in the solution to the child skin after a bath. The wash can be reused for three days if refrigerated.
HOMEOPATHY
Consult a homeopath for appropriate remedies and dosages for children. To relieve itching, your practitioner may prescribe Rhus toxicodendron, especially if itching is worse at night. Sulphur may help when the vesicles are burning.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• Trim your child’s fingernails or cover her hands with socks or mittens to keep her from scratching, which could lead to infections as well as to possible scarring.
• To ease itching, add a handful of oatmeal or baking soda to bathwater; apply cool, wet towels to the skin and allow them to dry.
• Dab calamine or which hazel on the lesions to relieve itching. Do not use lotions with diphenhydramine, which may sensitize your child to antihistamines.
• Leave your baby’s diaper off as much as possible to allow the vesicles to dry out and scab.
• Dissolve ½ tsp. salt in a glass of warm water and use as a gargle to ease mouth sores.
PREVENTION
A vaccine to prevent chickenpox received FDA approval in 1995, and many doctors now recommend that children be immunized, usually after the child is a year old, as a protection to vulnerable people such as pregnant women.
PREGNANCY CONCERNS
If you have not had chickenpox and exposed to the virus while pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. A varicella zoster immunoglobulin injection, given within 72 hours of exposure, may help lessen the severity of the disease. The virus can still pass to your unborn child through the umbilical cord, but possible complication such as fetal malformation or retarded growth may be less likely to occur. If you give birth while you have chickenpox, the baby should also receive immunoglobulin.
!CAUTION!
Never give aspirin even baby aspirin or other products called salicylate to a child who has chickenpox, aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very dangerous illness that causes inflammation of the liver and brai
CHICKEN POX
SYMPTOMS
• A very itchy rash that spread from the torso so the neck. Face, and limbs. The rash, lasting 7 to 10 days, progress from red spots to fluid filled blister that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, around the eyes, or on the genitals, and can be very painful. See also the visual diagnostic guide.
WHAT IS CHICKENPOX
Chickenpox, a viral illness characterized by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood. It is usually mild in children, but adults run the risk of serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia. People who have had chickenpox develop lifetime immunity. But the virus remains dormant in the body, and if you had chickenpox as a child, you may latter develop shingles. Because chickenpox can pass from pregnant woman to her unborn child, possibly causing birth defects, doctor often devise women considering pregnancy to confirm their immunity with blood test.
CAUSES
Chickenpox is cause by the herpes zoster virus, also known as the varicella zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or by contact with the clothing, bed linens, or oozing vesicles of an infected person. The incubation period is 7 to 21 days; the disease is most contagious a day before the rash appears and up to 7 days after, or until the rash forms scabs.
TREATMENT
Chickenpox is extremely contagious. Keep your child home until most of the vesicles are dry and scabs have fallen off.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
Your pediatrician may prescribe an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, to relieve pain and swelling. Antibiotics are called for if a secondary bacterial pneumonia. Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, is sometimes prescribed in severe cases, although some doctors quotations it effectiveness.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
For itching herbalist recommend the following wash: add 1 oz. each dried rosemary and calendula to 1 qtr. water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for five minutes. Strain, discard the herbs, and allow the wash to cool. press a washcloth dampened in the solution to the child skin after a bath. The wash can be reused for three days if refrigerated.
HOMEOPATHY
Consult a homeopath for appropriate remedies and dosages for children. To relieve itching, your practitioner may prescribe Rhus toxicodendron, especially if itching is worse at night. Sulphur may help when the vesicles are burning.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• Trim your child’s fingernails or cover her hands with socks or mittens to keep her from scratching, which could lead to infections as well as to possible scarring.
• To ease itching, add a handful of oatmeal or baking soda to bathwater; apply cool, wet towels to the skin and allow them to dry.
• Dab calamine or which hazel on the lesions to relieve itching. Do not use lotions with diphenhydramine, which may sensitize your child to antihistamines.
• Leave your baby’s diaper off as much as possible to allow the vesicles to dry out and scab.
• Dissolve ½ tsp. salt in a glass of warm water and use as a gargle to ease mouth sores.
PREVENTION
A vaccine to prevent chickenpox received FDA approval in 1995, and many doctors now recommend that children be immunized, usually after the child is a year old, as a protection to vulnerable people such as pregnant women.
PREGNANCY CONCERNS
If you have not had chickenpox and exposed to the virus while pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. A varicella zoster immunoglobulin injection, given within 72 hours of exposure, may help lessen the severity of the disease. The virus can still pass to your unborn child through the umbilical cord, but possible complication such as fetal malformation or retarded growth may be less likely to occur. If you give birth while you have chickenpox, the baby should also receive immunoglobulin.
!CAUTION!
Never give aspirin even baby aspirin or other products called salicylate to a child who has chickenpox, aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very dangerous illness that causes inflammation of the liver and brai
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