Top Tips When Your Kids Have Chickenpox

AD – Chickenpox. It’s one of those things you know your kids are going to get at some point but it’s also one where you never know how it will affect your child. It’s thought most kids will get before the age of 10 and it is highly contagious.

I remember catching chickenpox at around 5 or 6 years old. I can still remember my Mum finding all my spots when she gave me a bath and was washing my hair. Luckily I wasn’t ill at all. It was a week off school and just being itchy. My hubby however, was ill for a lot longer and it affected him a lot worse.

I was a bit worried for when the gremlin had it. She’s very much like her Dad, so I was expecting her to suffer a little. The first disaster was it started on holiday!! We had flown to Rhodes and noticed not long after arrived, little yellow-filled spots starting to appear. I later learnt from a friend, her entire room had gone down with it at nursery and one poor little boy’s birthday party had to be cancelled.

I was pleasantly surprised though as the gremlin didn’t really really suffer too much at all. Her spot coverage was medium and although she couldn’t go in the pool on holiday until her spots started to scab over and heal, she seemed pretty well. Possibly the sunshine, distractions of being away, nice food and time for naps helped her. Or she simply didn’t have a severe case. She didn’t complain too much of itching and we often gave her an antihistamine in the morning as a precaution.

However, I’m feeling a little more nervous about my youngest getting it, as she is a bit more sickly with the tummy bugs. I wonder if she will suffer anymore. I’m also hoping we won’t be on holiday at the time, which will save a worry!

I know the time will come at some point and these are some of the things I will be considering to help her get through the chicken pox.

Coping With Chickenpox

– Try and stop her itching. If itched enough spots be left open and sore and vulnerable to infection. Of course there is the risk of scarring too.  For this, I’m hoping to try Care ViraSoothe, which comes in both a gel and a spray and is designed to help cool and soothe the skin, helping my littlest stop itching and avoid that risk of infection. It can be used on the body and face, on a child over 6 months old.  Care ViraSoothe can be purchased in supermarkets, like Tesco and Sainsburys, as well as Boots and Rowlands Pharmacy. It retails at £5.73 for 50g and £8.43 for 75g for the Gel. The Spray Gel is £8.43 for 75g.

– Keep her well hydrated – plenty of sips of drinks and lollies/ice if it was warm. I wouldn’t want her skin to dry out any further.

– If needed, some pain relief such as paracetamol and Calpol or Ibuprofen. My eldest didn’t need this, as didn’t complain or seem to have a temperature but I wouldn’t rule it out if there was any suffering.

– Cool or lukewarm baths. I remember having these as a child, to try and soothe the itching. It is important not to rub dry but pat the skin afterwards.

– Plenty of rest and chill time. The gremlin wasn’t affected too much but I reckon if we are stuck in at home waiting for the spots the scab over, plenty of cuddle and film time will be required.

Chickenpox seems a little like a rite of passage for you and your kids. It’s likely they will get it at some point but there are lots of ways your can soothe and help your little one, to help them get over it.

What about you? Do you have any top tips?

Disclosure – I was compensated for my time to write this post, however all views are my own.