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Children's health

poxy baby - what can I do to help her settle?

20 replies

Kveta · 30/03/2013 08:49

9.5 month old DD has chicken pox, and is really poorly with it - not eating, screaming all the time, scratching herself on any available surface, not sleeping (yawn).

We have given her nurofen and calpol as recommended, but they are not really doing much. calamine lotion - not helping. she has spots EVERYWHERE - palms, soles of feet, genitals, in her ears, mouth, nose, every crevice, and her scalp and face are covered in them.

I tried to get poxclin yesterday, but it is sold out locally (going to call another pharmacy on the outskirts of town today to see if they have any).

and we gave her 1ml of piriton last night, which sent her crazy - like a wee drunk - but she did then sleep for 90 minutes.

Oh, and she had a bath with oats yesterday, which made no difference.

We're on day 4, and she is still bursting out in new spots, and is utterly miserable :(

any ideas?

OP posts:

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soremummy · 30/03/2013 08:55

Definitely try to get hold of poxciln it is fantastic stuff Just keep trying her in bath as well to sooth her

Kt8791 · 30/03/2013 09:00

Aqueous calamine cream and virasoothe worked well with mine but they were a little older. Your poor DD, so young to get chicken pox. Hope she is feeling better soon.

ChutesTooNarrow · 30/03/2013 09:05

I couldn't get hold of poxclin either. Have a look for virasoothe, it has worked wonders and stopped the itch straightaway. I found it in sainsburys.

HDEE · 30/03/2013 09:05

Nurofen should not be given to children with chicken pox.

xigris · 30/03/2013 09:08

Poor you and poor her! When my friend's DS had it a couple of weeks ago she found bicarbonate of soda in the bath worked brilliantly. I liked the calomine cream better than the lotion. It's also really soothing if you keep it in the fridge. Mine always responded well to nurofen and piriton given regularly but they were a bit older. Bloody pox! Good luck

Kveta · 30/03/2013 09:08

HDEE it's aspirin that should be avoided. nurofen is fine IIRC.

thanks all, will look for virasoothe Chutes - how's your DS? My DS wasn't at all ill compared to DD, she is just so so unwell, it's hideous :(

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HDEE · 30/03/2013 09:09

No, all NSAIDs should be avoided.

HDEE · 30/03/2013 09:11

Do NOT give aspirin or ibuprofen to someone who may have chickenpox. Use of aspirin has been associated with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome. Ibuprofen has been associated with more severe secondary infections. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/03/2013 09:13

Bicarbonate of soda in frequent baths and gently pat dry works wonders for us, we found it much better than the cream. Even bathed during the night!

ChutesTooNarrow · 30/03/2013 09:14

He's alright kveta, we just attack him with virasoothe at the hint of an itch. Have bicarb on standby for a bath but he's not needed it. Just really hoping dd doesn't get it.

Kveta · 30/03/2013 09:16

ah, everything I'd read just said aspirin should be avoided :( fuck. have I harmed her more then?

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Timeforabiscuit · 30/03/2013 09:25

Kveta i've never heard of the no nurofen either - from the NHS on chicken pox

Painkillers

If your child is in pain or has a high temperature (fever), you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol (available over-the-counter in pharmacies). Always read the manufacturer's dosage instructions.
Paracetamol is the preferred painkiller for treating the associated symptoms of chickenpox. This is due to a very small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox.
Avoid giving your child ibuprofen if they have asthma or a history of stomach problems. If you're not sure whether ibuprofen is suitable, check with your GP or pharmacist. If your child is younger than three months old, you should always speak to your GP before giving your child any kind of pain relief.

So if you're worried, just ring up a pharmacist to see if DD is ok to continue having it.

Timeforabiscuit · 30/03/2013 09:28

The only thing that helped with my dds was new bath toys, tepid water, a water pistol made of an empty sanex bottle and cheap ice lollies.

It sounds like you're at the worst bit now so hopefully she breaks the back of it soon!

ChutesTooNarrow · 30/03/2013 09:33

I was just about to put what time did, as I checked the nhs direct advice just a few days ago and didn't recall that ibuprofen not allowed for chickenpox. I would have given nurofen if needed tbh.

Kveta · 30/03/2013 09:35

thanks Time - will take DS in to town and search for bath toys (any excuse!) and ask the pharmacist for advice. I just hate seeing her so poorly, as this year has been one thing after another!
glad he seems ok chutes - hopefully DD will avoid it, as she is so tiny and EBF still? don't bath them together though (that was my stupid mistake I think!)

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ChutesTooNarrow · 30/03/2013 09:39

Oh funny you should say that as I was thinking of chucking them both in the bath together later. I won't now! DS won't leave her alone though, he's always slobbering over her so I need mighty magical milk for her to avoid it really.

Kveta · 30/03/2013 09:42

well, DS did scratch one of his spots and then stick his finger in her mouth during a bath, which was utterly grim (and prompted us not bathing them together or letting him near her until he was crusted!). I think she has therefore had a very high infectious dose.

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Kveta · 30/03/2013 20:00

Just wanted to update.

I went to a local pharmacy and was advised to give her nurofen. Told pharmacist that this is apparently no longer recommended. She looked at me as if I had taken a dump on the counter, and said she couldn't help me then.

Found some pox clin though.

And then ended up at out of hours, as her spots are infected, so poor baby is on antibiotics to try and deal with that.

I am so sick of this winter...

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Lozario · 30/03/2013 22:06

This is for patient.co.uk which my (GP) FIL says is very reliable:

"Note: Ibuprofen is sold as a medicine to ease fever and pain, but do not use ibuprofen for:
Children with chickenpox. This is because some research has shown that ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of developing serious skin infection complications in children with chickenpox."

My DS came down with CP today and I wouldn't have known this but for FIL and best friend who is also a doc!

Hope they all get better soon. DS seems ok so far but the itching hasn't kicked in yet!

unlucky83 · 01/04/2013 12:54

Warm bath with oats (in old tights) worked wonders for my DD - did you have enough in there? did the the water look milky coloured?
Playing with the oats was a great distraction for her though...make sure you tie a good knot in it -or you'll be trying to strain them out the bath with a sieve and/or calling out plumber for blocked drains!
(luckily the former worked for me )

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