How to treat Chicken Pox

Calamine lotion & bicarb baths are out!

We’ve all learnt something new about chicken pox this week, so I thought I’d share it in the hope that it would save your child some suffering.

The new information on how to treat chicken pox is to keep the skin moist, to avoid sores drying out and scarring. This also helps to stop some of the itching.

So, since calamine lotion and bicarb soda are drying agents, they’re no longer considered the best treatment.

We chose a combination of products to help the Bump get through this week of major itching.

1. An antihisthamine

This helps to reduce the rash by limiting the body’s reaction to toxins.

We chose Phenergan, because of its’ sedative qualities, and gave the Bump the recommended amount for sedation. It didn’t put him to sleep (but that’s just him), but it did relax and calm him.

2. A bath additive

Soaking in something to soothe and moisturise the skin will stop those itchy sores from becoming dry and itchier.

Pinetarsol was recommended by our local chemist (who is also a friend), and although it turns the bathwater a “pee-yellow” colour, it’s been very effective. It took the redness right out of the Bump’s sores, and he had a pretty good night’s sleep afterwards.

3. A lotion

Something to relieve the itch and moisturise the skin between baths is important, too.

Our chemist friend told us that Pine Tar is the best product for this, and we can use it afterwards to treat the kidz’ excema and mozzie bites.