I could use a little help

[applepie]

Does anyone know a good way to help a 1 year old with the chicken pox be more comfortable? She has been crying all day because she is itchy, and I don't know what else to do. The basic story is that she has a mild case from the vaccine that she recieved at her one year checkup. I'm wishing I had refused it now, but it is way too late. She is already sick with them, and even though they are mild it is making for a very fussy baby. Victoria is normally really easy going and happy so to have her crying for a whole day is a huge deal. It has left me stressed and exhausted, so I'm hoping someone knows a good way to make her a bit more comfortable. I know this can last for up to two weeks, and I don't want her upset that entire time. Any help you can give will be appreciated.

Thanks a bunch,
Meg

[Idril]

An old fashion oatmeal bath can help. Aveeno has these little packets you can put in the tub and they helped the itching for my boys...at least for awhile but it's tough when they're so little. I remember a few years back at a daycare I worked at we had a 6-week old baby that got chicken pox and she got it BAD! She had it in her mouth, down her throat, it was not a pretty thing, her mom said she cried and cried. :( My own kids were pretty miserable. They got the real thing and like the little baby, had them in their throat and wouldn't eat. I took them to the doctor and I got some kind of prescription that helped...I don't know what it was or what it did, it was probably just a placebo made to sooth harried mothers but it seemed to work. ;) Calamine lotion is also soothing, but messy. And the really bad part should be over before 2 weeks, it may take that long for all the sores to scab over but the really intense discomfort should be over in a few days.

[applepie]

An old fashion oatmeal bath can help. Aveeno has these little packets you can put in the tub and they helped the itching for my boys...at least for awhile but it's tough when they're so little. I remember a few years back at a daycare I worked at we had a 6-week old baby that got chicken pox and she got it BAD! She had it in her mouth, down her throat, it was not a pretty thing, her mom said she cried and cried. :( My own kids were pretty miserable. They got the real thing and like the little baby, had them in their throat and wouldn't eat. I took them to the doctor and I got some kind of prescription that helped...I don't know what it was or what it did, it was probably just a placebo made to sooth harried mothers but it seemed to work. ;) Calamine lotion is also soothing, but messy. And the really bad part should be over before 2 weeks, it may take that long for all the sores to scab over but the really intense discomfort should be over in a few days.

It is good to hear that she should be more comfortable in a few days. That is a big relief. I've been giving her the oatmeal baths, but like you said, it doesn't make her more comfortable for long. She starts to feel bad again as soon as I get her out, but I'm thinking of getting more... a bunch more. She can spend all day in the tub (except for meals of course:)) if she wants to and she is happier. I just got scolded by the doctor for not bringing her in, but all I could ask is why would I bring her in when I know what it is??? You don't tell people that they can expect their kid to get chicken pox from a shot and then be grumpy with them for not scheduling a visit when it happens:flare:

[motherhubbard]

I'm so sorry that your baby is having a hard time with the chicken pox. I hope you see an improvement soon. Until then I guess it's oatmeal bath.

[TheFifthElement]

Hiya mk - when my son had chickenpox my GP advised me to bathe him several times a day in a bath (like as many times as you want!) with bicarbonate of soda in it (lots of). This helps to dry up the spots and soothes the itching. It worked really well, and the spots were dry within 3 days.

Do you really vaccinate against chickenpox in the US? How odd.

[Nightshade]

corn flour.... I rember when my neighbours kids had it their mum covers the spots in a paste made from corn flour... Personally when I had it we were in Disney so my sisters and I were all too busy enjoying ourselves to think much... but I dont think any of us had it in our mouths though and we were 5, 3, and 2 at the time so older....:D

[Granny5]

Meg, When Tonya had them the dr. had me give her baths several times a day with baking soda. It helped but it was SEVERAL times a day and night. She didn't run fever after she broke out, but still felt bad and itched. The baths helped and it was the only way she could get some sleep. Use lots of baking soda in each bath.

[Niamh]

Hiya mk - when my son had chickenpox my GP advised me to bathe him several times a day in a bath (like as many times as you want!) with bicarbonate of soda in it (lots of). This helps to dry up the spots and soothes the itching. It worked really well, and the spots were dry within 3 days.

Do you really vaccinate against chickenpox in the US? How odd.

When i had the chicken pox i was also made to have bicarbonate of soda baths. Its very good as fifthelement said. Also calamine lotion. It is messy but it does really sooth. I had it for two weeks and also had it in my mouth. Try the bicarbonate. Should help alot.

[BibliophileTRJ]

This is not something that I suggest you try!

When I had chicken pox I had them really bad too... mouth, throat, eyeballs, even had one on my right eardrum which ruptured and to this day I can't put my head underwater without sticking my finger in my ear first (makes swimming tough).

Anyway I was MISERABLE and Mom soothed me the best she could using all of the suggestions above; but when Dad got home he wouldn't tolerate my crying & whining so he fed me teaspoons full of gin until I quieted down. After 2 or 3 tsp.s I was still miserable, but I didn't care....I just wanted the room to stop spinning.

[Granny5]

This is not something that I suggest you try!

When I had chicken pox I had them really bad too... mouth, throat, eyeballs, even had one on my right eardrum which ruptured and to this day I can't put my head underwater without sticking my finger in my ear first (makes swimming tough).

Anyway I was MISERABLE and Mom soothed me the best she could using all of the suggestions above; but when Dad got home he wouldn't tolerate my crying & whining so he fed me teaspoons full of gin until I quieted down. After 2 or 3 tsp.s I was still miserable, but I didn't care....I just wanted the room to stop spinning.

I think I'd try baking soda first!:lol:

[applepie]

Hiya mk - when my son had chickenpox my GP advised me to bathe him several times a day in a bath (like as many times as you want!) with bicarbonate of soda in it (lots of). This helps to dry up the spots and soothes the itching. It worked really well, and the spots were dry within 3 days.

Do you really vaccinate against chickenpox in the US? How odd.

I think it is pretty odd too, but I don't remember it being mandatory back home in Ohio. Out here in Washington, though, I have to have her vaccinated if I want to take her to child care or anything like that. I don't know why it is such a big deal out here.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll try the baking soda, and hopefully that helps. She isn't too bad with the spots, but what seems to be reall uncomfortable at 1 would not be too big of a deal when you are older. I don't think she even knows what is wrong, only that she is uncomfortable, and so she cries and cries. I called the doctor again this morning, and they said I can give Benadryl to help with the itching as well. I don't want to give her a bunch of medication, so I think I'll see how the baking soda baths work first. She will just spend a bunch of time in the bath, but since she loves the tub she isn't likely to mind. Thank you all very much for the ways to help. I really appreciate it:D

[Granny5]

I think it is pretty odd too, but I don't remember it being mandatory back home in Ohio. Out here in Washington, though, I have to have her vaccinated if I want to take her to child care or anything like that. I don't know why it is such a big deal out here.

It's been required here in Arkansas for several years.

[Pensive]

It's terrible. I had them just one year ago (or probably two) and they were a huge pain (the older you are, the more painful are the chances they would be). The only thing (other than medicine which didn't seem like a great help at that moment) was keeping myself occupied in other things.

I hope they get better for your child, but you have to keep in mind that they do take time.

[LadyWentworth]

calamine lotion. It is messy but it does really sooth.


That is exactly what I was going to say. I had it years ago when I was in the 1st grade. My doctor told my mother to use Calamine Lotion. It really helped with the itching! It was really what helped me get through that time.

[applepie]

Just to let everyone know, Victoria is going much better. Your suggestions have been a huge help. I had them as a kid, but I was so young I don't really remember what was done for them. Thanks you all for your help.

[LadyWentworth]

I'm glad to hear that she is doing better. :)