DavidWolfe.comYou knew this day was going to come eventually. It happened to you as a kid, and now it’s happening to your child – chicken pox.
Chicken pox is a common and highly contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The infection can occur 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus.
Initial symptoms (before rashes appear) include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Tiredness
Once the rashes appear, they continue in three stages. First, raised red bumps break out on the skin. Small blisters then form over the red bumps. Lastly, the blisters break, leak and scab over.
If you suspect your child has chicken pox, consult with his or her doctor to rule out any other condition.
Once a diagnosis of chicken pox has been reached, your doctor will likely prescribe medications to ease the severity of symptoms.
The side effects of these medications, which typically contain acetaminophen, can include dulling of emotions and empathy.
If those side effects are concerning to you, consider asking your child’s doctor whether one of the following home remedies might be suitable for your child’s case.
1. Baking Soda
A cool bath with baking soda can work wonders to soothe the itching and irritation caused by chicken pox. Mix one half cup of baking soda in your child’s bathwater and let the child soak in it.
Alternatively, you can stir one half tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water, and using a washcloth, apply the mixture to affected parts of your child’s body and allow it to air dry.
2. Coriander
Coriander can help speed up the healing process when chicken pox strikes. You can combine it with carrots to produce a soup rich in vitamins A and C as well as other nutrients that will boost your child’s immune system.
To make the soup, boil a pot of water and add one cup of chopped carrots and one and a half cups of coriander leaves. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes. Have your child drink the soup daily while symptoms are apparent.
3. Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion has been used to treat chicken pox since the 1800s. It provides a soothing, cooling effect on the skin due to the zinc oxide contained in it.
Rub your child down with an organic calamine lotion daily to help him or her find relief from itching.
4. Honey
Honey is a natural antibacterial compound that can remedy skin irritation and help blisters heal faster. To make use of it for your child’s chicken pox, apply organic honey in a thin layer all over the rash. The child should sit with this for about a half hour before it’s washed away.
Repeat this process 3-4 times daily until your child’s chicken pox goes away.
Sources:
RapidHomeRemedies.com
NetDoctor.co.uk
OrganicFacts.net
MayoClinic