Chickenpox
A highly infectious disease, symptoms develop 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus and include fever, feeling unwell and a rash which begins as tiny red spots that blister and scab within 24 hours. The disease is infectious from 24 hours before the rash appears, until after the scabs fall off. It is most common in childhood, when it is usually mild. If it occurs in adulthood, it tends to be more severe and may require medical attention. Contracting chicken pox in pregnancy can be dangerous for an unborn child.
Dietary Advice For Chicken Pox
The child may have very little appetite. Do not force him or her to eat, but make sure he has plenty of water and vitamin rich fruit juice to drink. If a child becomes dehydrated, give him a re-hydration mix using 600 ml of fresh boiled water, 1 tsp salt and 8 tsp sugar. Allow to cool and give a few sips every 10 to 15 minutes. When the child regains his appetite introduce soups, bananas, apples, toast, rice and steamed vegetables.
Complimentary Natural Remedies For Chicken Pox
Weak camomile tea, sweetened with a little honey, helps to bring down a fever. Children under the age of 10 should have 10 ml every 4 to 5 hours. Older children can drink a cupful 3 times a day.
To soothe and heal the rash, sponge the skin as required with the following lotion: put 4 drops camomile, 4 drops lavender and 4 drops tea tree into a 200 ml dark glass medicine bottle, add 100ml distilled water and top up with 50 ml witch hazel; shake the bottle well before use and dilute 50/50 with warm water before applying to the skin.
Very young children respond well to homeopathy. Use Rhus tox 6c or Varicella 30c twice a day for 10 days as a preventive. Rhus tox 6c is also good for a feverish, restless child; Pulsatilla 6c can help a whining, clingy child; Antimonium tart 6c can soothe a peevish child who doesn’t want to be held and Sulphur 6c is good if the child is hungry and thirsty but won’t eat. Give the appropriate remedy 4 times a day for up to 5 days.
