Chicken Pox for Beginners....

Everything you ever didn't want to have to know about Chicken Pox from a Mum who has nursed 5 of my own children through Chicken Pox. What follows isn't a Medical guideline, it's my experience. If you want a medical explanation or advice then there are millions of pages online such as this NHS page, and you can go and see your GP or Practise Nurse, you could even look it up in a good old-fashioned book!

If you remember Chicken Pox then it's probably because you had it really bad when you were a teenager or an adult, and the experience is etched on your mind forever. You were really ill and everyone laughed at your scabs (maybe). If you had it young then you were probably just a bit itchy and can't really remember it at all. As far as I can see, somewhere between 2 years and 6 years is the optimum time to catch it, and is indeed the point when most children do...

In glorious technicolour ~

1.Chicken Pox starts before that first single spot, in fact your child is highly contagious for a couple of days before you could possibly know they have it. You may find yourself faced with a really grumpy and irritable child who isn't happy at all. You may know that they aren't well, or you just think they turned into a teenager overnight.

Day 1 AM, Day 1 PM
Day 2 AM, Day 2 PM

2.With the first spot the temperature becomes a bit raised, and within hours that spot will be one of several. They will keep coming for a while, usually the next 2-6 days. Boy no.2 had one spot on Christmas Day morning which we watched like hawks. At 2pm he developed another 4 or 5, and by 8pm he was completely covered in hundreds. He was 4 weeks old - it kinda spoiled the whole 'cute new baby' thing.

Day 3 AM and PM
Day 4 AM

3. The spots start out as red dots, then pimples, then they form blisters which look to have watery yellow liquid inside - this is the most delightfully attractive stage, and when I was a 13 year old who caught Chicken Pox, this was the part where I popped half my spots and smeared them with Toothpaste because I thought I'd got acne.

Chicken Pox Day 1 to 4

4. After a couple of days the blisters eventually seep and it forms a crusty scab. Once every single spot has a scab on like this, you're no longer contagious and can go back to work or school. Yep, you read me right, off you go. Never mind that actually you're still feeling very sorry for yourself and you look like someone got busy with cornflakes and PVA glue, you're all better. This is not a disease you want to catch as an adult, and it is certainly one that is not pleasant when you're in the middle of those sensitive teenage years.

Chicken Pox Day 6 - crusty!

What you CAN do ~

1. Cool baths really soothe the skin, a couple of teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda or some plain oats tied securely into a clean sock in the bath is even better. It can also help bring down any hot temperatures.

2. Medicines - Piriton or another Anti-Histamine is your best friend and THE best thing for the itch. Your child will also probably have a temperature which makes them even more uncomfortable and can cause it's own rash, so Calpol (or any appropriate paracetamol) is your second best friend. Don't give Ibuprofen as in rare cases it can cause extra complications.

3. Calamine Lotion dabbed on spots is very useful, but dries the skin. Calamine do a cream instead which is apparently very good, but I've never found or used it. Your child is very unlikely to want to sit there while you poke and prod them, so give them some cotton wool and let them dab their own spots. It will make them feel they're doing something and will help prevent the inevitable moment when they accuse you of trying to hurt them to death.

4. The reason people get scars from Chicken Pox is because the tops are knocked or rubbed off the spots. This can be when they're bubbly, or when they're scabby. Be especially careful when you pick your child up, carry them, dress them and dry them after the bath. Cut their nails at the first available moment and try to give them things to do to keep their hands busy.

5. Chicken Pox can be a problem because spots can be anywhere on the skin or mucous membranes - ANYWHERE - in the mouth, on the eyelids, in the most private of private parts. They can make going to the loo VERY uncomfortable. It may be time to eat your words about never buying Kando wipes - this is the time they come into their own.

6. Most children are not very ill, none of mine were either, but some people can get very poorly. Generally though it's just the most annoying childhood disease, and your child will be grumpy, uncomfortable and irritable and won't want to focus on anything too strenuous - time to bring out the DVD's and read together.

7. If you are breastfeeding then don't stop. It is without any doubt the reason Boy no.2 was fine even though he was only 4 weeks old when he caught Chicken Pox.

The Old Wives Bit ~

1. You CAN catch Chicken Pox again. Logic and experience would suggest that people who have a really nasty case of Chicken Pox build up better immunity, and are therefore less likely to catch it again, but still it's no guarantee.

2. The virus that causes Chicken Pox is called Varicella and it doesn't actually go away entirely, it lies dormant in your body. Just for giggles it can decide to rear up and then you will get Shingles. You CAN NOT catch Shingles, it develops from within your own body. A person with Shingles can give you Chicken Pox, but a person with Chicken Pox can not give you Shingles.

Day 14 - All nearly gone

I'm sure I've forgotten more than I've remembered, and everyone's experience is different, plus you might have some great tips, so I'd be delighted if you want to add any comments!

I've also written about another childhood favourite - Headlice. There's even a video...

If you think I'm mean for posting all these pics of my poorly children, I assure you I had permission to take and post every one. My little children don't have the same access to mirrors as the taller people, and they were both delighted to be able to see the spots progressing, and are fascinated by them now!