Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hello, my 4 year old daughter has woken up with chicken pox this morning. When I phoned school they immediately said "are you from Bee class? We've had 7 parents phone in already this morning from that class!"

She doesn't seem to have it too badly yet but i#m not looking forward to the itching stage! Would really really appreciate any advice anyone has on how to deal with it


And my nearly 2 year old is completely miserable today so i expect she's about to get it too!!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/9908-weve-got-chicken-pox/
Share on other sites

Hi Clux,


Good to get it out of the way though - our eldest got it 4 days before our first ever holiday abroad and so we couldn't fly!


Itching these days is usually OK - you can give them liquid Piriton - just buy it over the counter at any chemist. Don't bother with the other stuff that they used to put on us with cotton wool when we were kids and had it (can't remember what it is called, but the chalky stuff)...it doesn't really help, but the Piriton does.


The worst thing is being cooped up - they are said to be most infectious before the spots occur of course, but officially contagious until the last spot has scabbed over. If you know any children who have already had it they can of course come to play, which can help.


There was a thread on here ages ago, not sure if it would come up if you search as I think there has been a clear out of old messages. I think baths with rolled oats tied up in a muslin can help too if I recall rightly. I'm sure someone else on here will know for sure.


For the 2 year old, if still in nappies that is going to be the area that will get the spots the worst. If you can dare give her nappy off time so the spots can dry out and scab over that will help too.


Hang in there....Molly

Bicarbonate of soda in the bath (or the oat bag thing). And it's calamine lotion that Molly couldn't remember the name of - I certainly found it helpful when mine had CP. I used it in conjunction with Piriton & my lot all seemed to like the soothing, cooling feel of it, each to their own I guess.


A trip to the library to stock up on new books, story cd's & dvd's might be worth while if you can find someone to mind her for an hour while you go? Poor you, but it seems to be so much better if you get it over & done with early.


Wishing you good luck & loads of patience!

Good luck with that - our eldest had it when she was about 2 I think. It's not a bad age to get it - old enough that they don't get it again (so they say) and young enough that they don't know to scratch too much.


Tips from me would be - shake the Calamine bottle (if you use it) as I didn't know (derr) that it all separated - and I was left with a load of sludge at the bottom that I couldn't get to.


Better is something called Dermol that the Doc prescribed. It's better than Calamine as you can use it as a soap substitute too - so they can wash with it.


Also - I asked the Doctor to write it in 'the Red Book'. They don't necessarily do it but I wanted it recorded. My Mum died when I was 20ish and I don't remember what I've had and not had (my Dad's not great at that sort of thing)so it's good to have something noted that will stay with them into adulthood.


All the very best - it's a trying first few days then it all seems to get better. And all the best with the cabin fever - I was climbing the walls to leave the house afterwards - as you can't really go anywhere ('cept the park and outdoor places) when they are contagious.

If you want someone to pop up to the library for you let me know! I'm a nanny in East Dulwich and more than happy to include your books/DVDs on my 'weekly' run!

Think of things you might not have done before - cooking/baking/play dough?

Remember too you can always create activities in your garden too - treasure hunts? Put up a tent and play in that?

Best of luck!

god you lot are really good!!!


thanks everyone for the fantastic tips and ideas! Somehow i don't feel quite so alone knowing you've all been through it!!!


Anna, that is a really really kind offer - thank you so much. My sister is coming over later (with her 2 year old who hasn't had it but she's happy for her to get it out of the way!) so i will manage to pop out to the chemist and the library later hopefully

Clux,


So glad you will be able to pop out for a while.


The c-beebies website has some fab stuff on it that may keep your 4 year old going for a while - they have pictures you can print off and colour in which my daughter loves doing.


sillywoman - it was the doctor who told me not to bother with the Calamine, and I took him at his word, but I can imagine it would feel cooling and soothing if they are feeling really itchy with it. I remember Mum putting it on me when I had it (and measels) long ago....


Ryedalema, that is such a good idea about recording it in their red book, thanks for that tip.


Molly

My son had the pox in summer (in the heat, not a good combination!), and we found the calamine with aqueous cream a lot more effective than just basic calamine. Piriton was also brilliant, and cold baths... although your little one may not struggle as much given that the weather is cold.


We had two really tough nights with it at the height of the spotty stage, but after that it wasn't too bad. My daughter, despite out best efforts, didn't get them - I was gutted as I would much rather have got them both out the way at once!


Good luck.


P x

I hope so Trinity! My younger sister has never had them - she was exposed as a baby when I had them, again when our brother got them, and my Mum says that the whole of her reception class came down with them and she still didn't, so she would appear to be one of the lucky ones.


I was still breastfeeding my daughter at the time, so it may be that she was protected through that - but at the time she wouldn't leave her brother alone (poor wee man, just to add to his misery) and one night even crawled over him in the bathroom so had skin to skin contact with the spots.

I find the younger they are the less poorly they are with it....can't always rely on it, but my daugther at 2 wasn't actually 'ill' at all, just very spotty. She still went to the Childminder (as the other children there had given it to her), which was a big help, and really didn't seem off colour at all.


Guess we were v. lucky going by other posts on here.


Molly

skin to skin contact with the pox wouldn't make much difference as it's a droplet infection (carried in breath).


Camomile lotion on the whole stops being affective as soon as it dries - not heard of the camomile and aqueous cream but it sounds really good (and could also be used as soap). Another cream I've heard is good is Eurax cream.


Hope lil ones are feeling better soon!

I don't really remember how bad it was the first time I had chicken pox as was very young. Just remember feeling itchy and having baking soda baths to stop itching plus calamine lotion. All the children in the family had it at the same time so my mum was run ragged. Remember having the pox in my hair and eyebrows though!
I have it twice too. The first time very mildly and the second time full on. Ive also had german measles twice....(I may be a freak). The deal is you can only get shingles if you've already had chicken pox....that's why more Americans get it as everyone is inoculated against Chicken Pox by law.

I think the chicken pox vaccine is part of the vaccination schedule, but pretty sure that it is not enforced "by law" any more than it is here (which is not at all, only social pressure). Canadians also get the chicken pox vaccine.


The vaccination program is fairly recent (it wasn't around for me, I had the pox and have the marks to prove it) yet most Canadians who get shingles are older than me, soooooo can't see a vaccination/shingles connection. Then again, I may barking mad.

I don't think the chicken pox jab is enforced by law in the States either, but you do have the option of having it now. I know a few friends in the States who never got the jabs for their children.


I too have heard that if you had a mild case of chicken pox, that you could get it again because your body hasn't built up an immunity with the first round. Eeeek.

I got shingles when I was 27! Really hope I don't get them/it again because the worst form can cause blindness. Mine appeared as a cluster of itchy spots in the middle of my back and caused terrible nerve pains which radiated over my upper torso and arms. Having it on your face and around your eyes would be dreadful.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Gone to the better hunting grounds during this local ongoing dry spell.
    • The Dreamliner has an impeccable service history, you are more likely to get mugged on the way to the airport than having any issue with your flight, that's how safe it is!  Have a great trip.
    • Maybe. Does that kill grass? If so, possibly the same dog that has left its poo outside my house - pretty sure it's not fox poo.
    • Here you are, intexasatthemoment (you seem to have been in Texas for a very long time!) We went to three of the recommended places yesterday,  as they were all in the same road (just near Wallington)  and I needed to give the car a run to avoid another slap on the wrist from my garage (and another new battery). Here's my findings. BARNES Parking We thought we would go here first as it was the earliest to close on a Sunday (3pm). There was no apparent entrance or anywhere to park. One notice said do not park on grass verge, and another one said staff cars only! Flittons was opposite but I'd already passed the entrance, so I had to drive down the road, turn round at the next available place (covered in signs saying do not park here) and park in Flittons car park! Plants Barnes  specialise in hardy perennials, so that was basically what they had, but an excellent selection, and many more unusual plants (or at least, plants you probably wouldn't find in a garden centre), eg Corydalis,  lots of different varieties of Epimediums, Trollius, some lovely Phygelius, lots of different ferns). The plants were divided into sections according to whether they needed sun or shade or could cope with both. They had a particularly good selection of  shade loving plants. There was really useful information above  each group of plants, which meant you didn't have to look at individual labels. All the plants looked in good health and  very well cared for. They don't produce a printed catalogue, but they  said their plant list was online (I haven't looked yet). I assume most of  the plants they have at any one time are when it's their flowering season (if they flower). I wasn't intending to buy anything, though was very tempted, but I'd definitely go here again once I've sorted out my overgrown garden. Other Stuff Don't think they sell pots, compost, etc. No cafe/tea room and I didn't see a loo, but Flittons is just over the road. FLITTONS  Parking Easy to park Plants Sorry, but mostly terrible. There was one section with vegetables and the rest was flowering plants. There was a general feeling of delapidation. Some of what was on display was actually dead (surely it would only take a minute to remove dead plants) and a lot of the rest was very poorly maintained, eg gone to seed, weedy, apparently unwatered, or with a lot of dead leaves. There was a notice asking for volunteers to work there, so I can only assume they can't afford to pay staff. Other stuff There was a notice to a play barn (?) saying invited people only, so I think they must host kids' parties or something. They redeemed themselves with a cosy little cafe with savoury stuff, nice cakes, iced chai and oat milk, and a loo. Also a selection of books and CDs on sale for charity. If you want an Andrews Sisters CD, you can find one here. There is a small shop with gift shop type stuff and a display of the history of Flittons, which apparently is family owned since the sixties (I think it was). I suspect that the arrival of Dobbies down the road must have greatly affected Flittons' fortunes, which is sad. DOBBIES  Parking Easy in theory once you had navigated a rather narrow entrance, but it was very busy so it took a while to find a space. Plants  Lots of plants, well maintained but I imagine their turnover is high. Lots of nice bedding plants for hanging baskets, window boxes etc  to cater for all tastes (ie some of it wasn't mine, but fine if you like those horrid little begonias (my opinion only) but they did have some nice (in my opinion) stuff as well. I was tempted but decided to buy from North Cross Road market. Fair selection of climbers, various different Clematis etc. I'd be happy to buy plants from here. The prices seemed reasonable and they were in good condition. Other stuff  It's a big garden centre with all that entails these days, so a large area selling garden furniture and storage, tools, animal collars, pots, all the usual stuff you would expect. Very helpful staff. There's a cafe which we didn't check out, charging points for electric cars, a Waitrose (no idea how big, we didn't look). Only on our way out did we see that there was a drive through "express section" for compost etc, which was annoying as I wanted compost and hadn't seen any anywhere,  but I was getting tired by that time. Just Down the Road A ten minute drive away is Wilderness Island, a nature reserve in Carshalton, which is well worth a visit. We heard eleven different kinds of bird (according to Merlin) and saw a Kingfisher flying down the tiny river!
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...