CHICKENPOX

WHAT IS CHICKENPOX?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that affects both children and adults worldwide. The viruses are transmitted by droplets and through the air. The risk of infection begins two days before the first symptoms of the disease appear and lasts until the seventh day after the onset of the characteristic rash. The incubation period lasts 12 to 21 days.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

The typical chickenpox rash begins with a few red spots the size of a lentil, which quickly develop into fluid-filled blisters. The rashes are very itchy. The entire skin is affected, as well as the mucous membranes in the mouth, vagina, and scalp. The moist blisters burst, scab over, and a new rash appears in waves over a week or two, so that all three phases are visible - spots, blisters, and scabs. Some children have a high fever, while others do not.

If the chickenpox rash is scratched, it can leave scars, and the blisters can become inflamed and pus-filled due to dirt on the fingers. After recovering from the disease, we become immune.

MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS

• red, fluid-filled blisters that appear all over the body
• skin rashes appear in waves
• severe itching

COMPLICATIONS

Chickenpox is not dangerous for healthy children. It is dangerous if a pregnant woman contracts it before giving birth, as the newborn is born with chickenpox. In children with a weakened immune system - due to leukemia, congenital poor immunity or due to medications that suppress their own defenses - the course of chickenpox is more severe. For these "at-risk children", the doctor can inject immunoglobulin, which prevents the disease or alleviates its course.

DOES THE CHILD NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR?

A doctor should make a diagnosis. If the blisters become inflamed and pus-filled, consult a doctor.

THIS IS HOW A DOCTOR HELPS

Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine if the itching is severe. If the blisters become infected, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

THIS IS HOW YOU HELP YOUR CHILD

• Rinsing the blisters with a liquid such as Lotio alba helps against itching.
• Wash your child with cold water, avoid hot baths as they increase itching.
• Change a sick child more often - he should not lie in wet diapers for a long time
• Cut your child's fingernails very short so they can't scratch themselves. For example, put socks on your baby's hands, and explain to older children how to behave.
• In girls, vaginal blisters caused by urination may burn more than itch. Sitz baths with chamomile may help.

(SOURCE: Children's Diseases, Helmut Keudel, Dr.Med.)

MY TIPS:

• Use immortelle hydrosol for itching, spray it on the skin several times a day
• Donat (dip a cloth in the donat and gently dab on the rashes)
• AtopicBalm with added calamine relieves itching and dries blisters
• ZincBalm contains zinc oxide, which dries blisters
• SosBalm has a mild antibacterial effect and allows for better or faster healing. Apply it to the skin when scabs appear, not before!