Help and Treatment for Chickenpox
Treatment generally depends on your age, personal health and the severity of the illness. Healthy children seldom require medical treatment and home rest is usually sufficient.
Drink plenty of liquids such as water, juice or soup, particularly if there is fever. To bring the fever down, acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be administered – remember to never give aspirin to children as it may increase the risk of Reye’s disease.
Apply calamine lotion to the skin to relieve itching, keep the skin cool with compresses and lukewarm, oatmeal baths. Your health practitioner may also prescribe an antihistamine to reduce the itching.
What complications can occur during chickenpox?
People with a high risk of complications from chickenpox such as pregnant women, newborn infants or those with weakened immune systems need immediate medical attention if exposed or develop chickenpox. They may be prescribed antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or intravenous immune globulin (IGIV).
Other complications that may result from chickenpox include bacterial infections of the skin, pneumonia or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). If you have had chickenpox as a child, there is a likelihood of developing shingles (when some of the varicella-zoster virus remains in the nerve cells and reactivates and surfaces as shingles).
Chickenpox can also cause serious complications during pregnancy. When the infection occurs early in the pregnancy or just before the birth, a number of problems such as low birth weight, fetal abnormalities such as limb abnormalities, neurological damage and scarring of the internal organs can develop.
Can chickenpox be prevented?
The easiest way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. The vaccination provides protection in 90% of young children who receive it. This vaccine is recommended for young children, unvaccinated older children and adults who have never had chickenpox but may have a high risk of exposure.
Young children receive two doses of the varicella vaccine. The first dose is administered between the ages 12 and 15 months and the second between ages 4 and 6 years as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.
Children aged between 7 and 13 years and older who have not been vaccinated are required to receive two catch-up doses of the varicella vaccine.
Adults who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should receive two doses of the vaccine. People who have an increased risk of been exposed should also receive the vaccine – these include individuals who have professions as teachers, health care workers, child care employees, women of childbearing age and adults who live with young children.
Most people who have had chickenpox do not require the vaccine as an episode of chickenpox makes an individual develop immunity to the virus for life.
Natural treatments have also proven to be highly effective in relieving the symptoms of chickenpox. Herbal and homeopathic remedies are gentle, effective and suitable for children to use. Use herbal ingredients such as Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm), Scutellaria Laterifolia (Scullcap) and Echinacea purpurea as a nerve relaxing tonic and immune system booster.
Other well known herbs such as Calendula Officinalis (Marigold), Hamamelis Virginianum (Witchhazel), Stellaria Media (Chickweed) and Verbena Officinalis (Vervain) contain soothing and restorative properties to help relieve angry skin.
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