| Find Alternative Herbal Remedies by Symptom Below |
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Chicken Pox |
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Natural
Herbal Alternative Remedies & Treatments for Chicken Pox |
| Skin Dr.:
Skin Dr. is a combination of selected herbs and biochemic tissue
salts known for their ability to cleanse and purify the entire
system, support healthy lymphatic functioning and treat the
symptoms of a range of skin conditions, including psoriasis,
eczema, acne, dandruff, cradle cap, herpes blisters, as well as
itchy skin conditions like
chicken pox and allergic rashes. Taken internally, Skin Dr. helps to balance and hydrate the skin, improve the supply of oxygen at cellular level, promote skin healing and remove dead and infected cells. ImmunityPlus: Assist recovery and convalescence from illness; Boost energy when feeling run-down and listless; Attain optimal immune functioning to fight against disease; Prevent illness and premature degeneration of body cells |
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Self-care To help ease the symptoms of an uncomplicated case of chickenpox, follow these simple self-care measures: Don't scratch. Scratching can cause scarring, slow down the healing process and increase the risk that the sores will become infected. If your child can't seem to stop scratching, put gloves on his or her hands, especially at night. And trim his or her fingernails to lessen the amount of damage that can be done. If itching is particularly severe or irritating, talk to your doctor about prescribing an antihistamine for relief. Take to the tub. Comfortably cool baths can help relieve itching and provide a playful diversion for a young child. For added relief, sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the tub, not the stove. Apply lotion. Dabbing the spots with calamine lotion may help relieve the itching. Try bed and a bland diet. Getting plenty of rest can help beat any infection. Soft, bland foods can also be helpful if chickenpox sores develop in the mouth. Spicy, acidic or hard and crunchy foods can be irritating to mouth sores. Treat a fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) won't cure chickenpox, but either medication can lower a mild fever. Don't give aspirin to anyone with chickenpox because it can lead to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome. And don't try to treat a high fever without consulting your doctor. top Signs and symptoms of Chickenpox The best-known sign of chickenpox is a red, itchy rash that breaks out on your face, scalp, chest and back, but it can spread across your entire body, even into your throat, eyes and vagina. The chickenpox rash usually appears less than two weeks after exposure to the virus and begins as superficial spots. These spots quickly turn into small liquid-filled blisters that break open and crust over. New spots continue to appear for several days and may number in the hundreds. Itching may range from mild to intense. The rash may be preceded by or accompanied by: Fever Abdominal pain or loss of appetite Mild headache General feeling of unease and discomfort (malaise) or irritability Mild cough and runny nose the first two days of illness before the rash appears In healthy children, the disease is generally mild. top Risk factors Chickenpox is highly contagious to people not immune to it and spreads quickly within child care facilities, schools and families. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the rash or by droplets dispersed into the air by coughing or sneezing. A person who has chickenpox can transmit the virus for up to 48 hours before the telltale rash appears and remains contagious until all spots crust over. People who've been vaccinated against chickenpox are usually immune to the virus. The same is true of anyone who has had chickenpox in the past. People at risk of contracting chickenpox include anyone who hasn't been vaccinated or who has never had the disease. When to seek medical advice If you suspect that you or your child has chickenpox, consult your doctor. He or she can easily diagnose chickenpox by examining the characteristic rash and by noting the presence of accompanying symptoms. Your doctor can also prescribe medications to lessen the severity of disease and treat complications, if necessary. Be sure to call ahead for an appointment, to avoid waiting and possibly infecting others in a crowded waiting room. Also, be sure to let your doctor know if any of these complications occur: The rash spreads to one or both eyes. The rash gets very red, warm or tender, indicating a possible secondary bacterial skin infection. The rash is accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, worsening cough, vomiting, stiff neck or a fever higher than 103 F. top Prevention The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is the best way to prevent chickenpox. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the vaccine provides complete protection from the virus for nearly 90 percent of young children who receive it. When the vaccine doesn't provide complete protection, it significantly lessens the severity of the disease. The chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) is recommended for: Young children. In the United States, children receive one dose of the varicella vaccine between 12 and 18 months of age, as part of a routine immunization schedule. Unvaccinated older children. Children between 19 months and 13 years of age who haven't had chickenpox should receive one dose of the vaccine. Unvaccinated adults who've never had chickenpox but are at high risk of exposure. This includes health care workers, teachers, child care employees, international travelers, military personnel, adults who live with young children and all women of childbearing age. Adults and children older than 13 who've never had chickenpox or been vaccinated usually receive two doses of the vaccine, four to eight weeks apart. If you don't remember whether you've had chickenpox or the vaccine, a blood test can determine your immunity. If you've had chickenpox, you don't need the vaccine. A case of the chickenpox usually makes a person immune to the virus for life. It's possible to get chickenpox more than once, but it's not common; this may occur if the first episode was during the first six months of life. The vaccine isn't approved for: Pregnant women People with weakened immunity People who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin Talk to your doctor if you're unsure about your need for the vaccine. If you're planning on becoming pregnant, consult with your doctor to make sure you're up-to-date on your vaccinations before conceiving a child. top Is it safe and effective? Parents typically wonder whether vaccines are safe. Since it became available, this vaccine has been given to millions of people. Studies continue to show the vaccine to be safe and effective. Side effects are generally mild and include redness, soreness, swelling and, rarely, small bumps at the site of the shot. Some vaccines require booster doses. Time and research will tell if Varivax is one of them, though it appears that a booster shot may not be necessary with this vaccine. |