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Chickenpox is a common childhood disease. It is highly contagious and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, part of the herpes family. It can be very uncomfortable and can vary in its severity. A child or adult can catch chickenpox, which develops into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that erupt and form a crust.
It can be a severe illness, but in Chinese medicine is it seen as eventually bringing benefits to the child, in relation to the process of growing up and expelling poisons from the body - Extract from Natural Medicine for Children by Julian Scott MA PHD
Baths
Baths are very soothing and should be with luke warm water. For best results, soak for about 15 minutes. Be careful to gently pat the skin dry to avoid lifting the scabs - ouch!
Hee hee this cool bumble bee bath would cheer any poorly kid up!
Image via http://theluxhome.com
Image via http://theluxhome.com
Oatmeal Bath
Give them a Cleopatra style milky bath - take a few handfuls of porridge oats* (rolled oats not the likes of Oats So Simple!) into a sock or muslin cloth and tie. Pop it in when you start running the bath. Oats are soothing, anti inflammatory and anti bacterial. Squeeze it over the body when the bath is ready, you will get a lovely thick milky liquid. You can also add a few tablespoons of healing bicarbonate of soda to the running bath.
* Not to be used for anyone with sensitivity to gluten
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Pop 2 to 3 tea bags into a running bath:
Chamomile - soothes the skin
Nettle tea - helps relieve itchy skin
Peppermint - calms and cools the skin
Or make a cup of the tea, keep covered and use throughout the day to bathe the affected areas with a cotton pad or muslin.
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Aromatherapy
Add 5 drops of both healing Lavender and anti inflammatory Chamomile German to 100ml of Calamine lotion or cream. Shake/stir well before use.
(Always do a patch test first, on the inner elbow to check there are no sensitivities)
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Alternative Therapies
My family and I have found Bach Flower Remedies, Homoeopathy and Acupuncture extremely helpful for all sorts of illnesses and it's reassuring to know there are other options than the conventional drug route.
Bach Flower Remedies
Chicory, Hornbeam or Cherry Plum may help relieve irritation. For more information on remedies visit Bach Original Flower Remedies.
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Homoeopathic Remedies
This Homoeopathic Remedies for Chicken Pox article from Dana Ullman, M.P.H. (Masters in Public Health, U.C. Berkeley) has some great remedy suggestions. Dana is widely recognized as the foremost spokesperson for homoeopathic medicine in the U.S, author of 10 books and has a regular column at the The Huffington Post internet newspaper.
You can buy Homoeopathic and Bach Flower remedies from Holland and Barrett, Boots and other good health shops or online at Helios. Helios has a fantastic telephone service where you can speak to a qualified Homeopath for free advice. I am never without our Helios Nursery Kit or Basics Kit and I used their amazing Child Birth kit during and after having our son.
You can book in for a thorough consultation with a registered Homoeopath to achieve the best results. To find one near you, click here.
Here are some tips from Natural Medicine for Children by Julian Scott MA PHD. Julian is an experienced practitioner of natural medicines, specialising in herbal remedies and acupuncture. We were given this book as a gift from our family Acupuncturist Ferris Jerjis when our son was born and it has become invaluable to us:
1. During the feverish stage, keep your child quiet, preferably in bed.
2. Cotton gloves tied on the hands will help prevent a baby or young child from scratching the skin.
3. Cotton garments worn next to the skin are the most comfortable. (I still remember insisting on trying my new denim skirt with elasticated waist band and have the scar to prove it!)
4. When temperature starts to fall, start off with simple foods including cereal and porridge* as the digestive system will be weak.
Ahhhh soon your child will be back to this peaceful state of bliss... well I can't guarantee the peaceful bit lol!
Image http://www.sheknows.com/
Image http://www.sheknows.com/
As with all illness it is very important to drink lots of fluids particularly water, to flush the toxins away from the body. Regular drinks of calming Chamomile tea will soothe from the inside and help soothe the digestive system too (if necessary you can sweeten with a little honey it if your child is over 1 year).
Image via http://karenjeffery-acupuncture.com
I do hope this post helps anyone you know get relief from their pesky Chicken Pox. xx
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ReplyDeleteTester Cologne
Great blog. It is such an informative one. I had tried oatmeal bath and it is really effective to get rid of those itchy Chicken Pox. I will try the other natural remedies. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the lovely comment, would love to hear how you get on with the other remedies.
DeleteInnovative information regarding the cure for Chicken Pox with the natural remedies, Nice sharing of valuable post.. Thanks for the share..
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