5 Ways to soothe chicken pox in children

Quell aches and pains with acetaminophen

The chicken pox virus typically comes with viral-type symptoms like headache, fever, fatigue and muscle aches. When your children are suffering through these discomforts, acetaminophen can be given according to the dosage information on the bottle.

Soothe varicella with soaks

Warm baths blended with 2 cups ground oatmeal such as Aveeno Oatmeal Bath or home-ground oatmeal can help reduce itching in children with chicken pox. Adding one half to one cup of baking soda to a warm bath may also put a halt to itching. However, when you don't have either on hand, frequent warm baths are sometimes helpful as an alternative.

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Dry up chicken pox with lotion

Calamine lotion is the most common lotion used to soothe itching due to chicken pox, applied directly to blisters to help them dry out and to give the skin relief. "My strategy was to give them a bottle of Caladryl and an artist's brush and let them paint their 'polka dots,'" shares Elisabeth Morrissey, author of It's Not All About You! and former nanny. "Then they'd get to play dot-to-dot and draw pictures with the spots."

Treat itching from the inside with medication

Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl can be given to children to lessen severe itching. Due to its drowsiness-inducing nature, it is best given at night. Claratin or Zyrtec may also help diminish severe itching from blisters and do not cause drowsiness. You may also discuss anti-viral medications such as Zovirax with your doctor, which may shorten the course of the virus.

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Avoid bacterial infections by preventing scratching

Scratching varicella blisters can lead to bacterial infections, so shorten your youngster's nails to keep him from breaking open itchy chicken pox. You can also have young children wear mittens to prevent scratching as well.

Suspect one of your children has caught a case of varicella? You may want to get a professional opinion before treating it as chicken pox. "With the vaccines available today, incidents of chicken pox are rare," explains Dr. Charles I. Shubin, M.D, Mercy Medical Center. "If you suspect that your child has the chicken pox, call your pediatrician immediately to rule out other possibilities, such as rashes that are not chicken pox related." But, for those kiddos who do come down with the chicken pox, you'll be a superhero mom ready to conquer the suffering it can bring with these five ways to soothe chicken pox in children.

Uncover more about chicken pox

The chicken pox varicella vaccine
How to sterilize the house after the chicken pox or strep
Chicken pox and pregnancy