General Chat

This is for all those whose children have had it, Both my sons have broke out in the spots today. I have stocked up on Calpol and calamine lotion. Can anyone tell me if there is anything else that works or helps? Or how the hell do we as parents cope, lol All suggestions gratefully received. Allie xx

an antihistamine cream really works, I think you can get one with calamine in it too. Calamine lotion can be drying and itchy too

Looks like you're doing all you can. Try to persuade them not to scratch by cutting their nails cause they can scar with continual scratching. I know its not easy. Also see if your friendly chemist will make you up some calamine with 1/2 menthol, it works better than straight calamine.

Have you tried Medised its wonderful it contains antihistamine and Paracetamol Dawn

Sorry Allie, thats 1/2 PERCENT menthol. Oops!

Many thanks for all your replies, I would never have thought of an antihistamine cream. Just hoping as they are both young, only 5 and 3, that they don't get a bad time of it. Will ask about the combination one at the chemist, think I need to take shares out in that place,lol. Many thanks again Allie xx

Medised always ued to get mine off to sleep too! Can't get them up now they are teenagers!

There's a chickenpox vaccine in the US. Is it not used in the UK yet? Crista

Hi Allie, sorry to hear the nippers have the pox. When I used to work in a chemist we used to sell a lotion called Caladryl, it's calamine based and has something else in it but I can't remember what, but it's not as drying on the skin as calamine on it's own. You could also try Piriton syrup, which is an antihistamine, it may also make them a bit sleepy, which might give them a few hours of peaceful sleep without the itching. I used both of them when the girls suffered with the pox. Take care and I hope that they get better soon. Helen

Allie as Helen says Calydryl is brilliant and also a pair of soft gloves or a pair of old socks on their hands when they are sleeping, so they can't scratch.

Try putting a tablespoon of Bicarbonate of soda in their bath. It seems to stop some of the itching - worked for mine and grandchildren anyway. Piriton and Caladryl also worked for mine. Sue PS My younger son had it twice, which apparently is not possible! Once at 15 months and then at 6 years. I always knew he was unique! LOL

Crista, We have the vaccine in Canada too, thankfully our kids are vaccinated so won't have to worry, but I remember having Chicken pox as a kid and it wasn't too pleasant! Barbara

My two had it at 2-1/2 & 3-1/2 years. I used bicarbanate of soda ( cooking soda ) in their baths. Calpol, nurofen for children is good (not if they have asthma...check first ) Piriton helped connie a lot. Dont waste your money on cotton wool. Threads come off onto the skin, & you spend a fortune on wasting the calamine lotion as it sinks into the cotton wool & dries quickly. Either buy some cheap washing up sponges( pound shop ) & cut the rough side off. cut the sponges into four. Or buy cheep bath sponges . One peice of sponge soaked with calamine will be very soft & go a long way. Elaine x

Allie I remember when I had the pox the soft gloves worked well. I would also say try to distract them if you can - maybe play games with them or have them watch their favourite programmes. Anything to take their mind off the itching. This worked with me when I had them. Hope they feel better soon Lindsey

Try a luke warm bath with a few drops (not too much) of Tea tree oil or lavender oil in it to stop the itching. Ann Glos

Give your child a peice of sponge or cotton wool with calamine on it, when you are also putting it on them. They will love to "Help" you to cover the spots ! Also remember a daily bath or shower to get the build up of calamine off. Ready for a fresh lot ! Elaine x

Many, many thanks, all of you for all your tips. I am really grateful. Went to the chemist this morning and got the piriton syrup ( could'nt get medised, only a small chemist ) but that seems to be working a treat.... apart from the fact it does'nt make them drowsy,lol. They are both still their usual self apart from having spots so it is'nt turning out to be as bad as I thought. Kindest regards to you all Allie xx

Men who are exposed to chicken pox, who have not before had it themselves, should check with their GPs. Len

Hi Karen, my daughter got her chicken pox on christmas day, but she was 3! She said when she got up, look what father christmas brought me, spots!!! Any of the childhood illnesses can be much worse for an adult. When I was little we used to get sent round to play with kids who had something just to try and catch it and get it over with!!!

hi allie try giving the little ones piriton syrup, its for rashes & allerges my 3yr old had chicken pox at xmas, and i gave it to him and he didnt scratch. do you know that they are only catching while the spots are there once they scab over there ok. hope this helps penny