Step 1:
It's important to relieve/decrease the symptoms associated with chickenpox-like itching, fever, skin infections.
Skin infections may occur due to blisters as well as due to continuous itching at the site leading to skin infection. Apply the antibacterial cream prescribed by your doctor. It can be alternated with calamine lotion application and warm baths at regular interval. Anti-itching medications (containing antihistaminics) will be prescribed by your doctor. After bath does not rub the body vigorously as this may burst the blisters to cause more pain, itching and secondary skin infection. Sneezing, coughing and mucous are highly contagious.
- Hand Wash: Hand washing limits the spread of the virus. Hands should be properly washed and nails trimmed short as this will decrease the chances of trauma and infection there in that can occur due to scratching. Personal hygiene of the patient as well as other members of the family is important. Avoid sharing cups, eating utensils, towels, bed linen and clothing with the infected person. ·
- Temperature Monitoring: Give paracetamol for fever( ≥100ºF) and headache. This should be followed with tepid sponging of the whole body (head to toe) with cotton cloth for at least 20 mins. An immediate bath will also bring the temperature down. Even after 1 hr if the fever does not resolve then consult your doctor for further medication. Keep cool because heat and sweat will make you itch more. ·
- Medication: Do no use aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines from over the counter. Its usage may lead to side effects to your child. Plain paracetamol will relieve the fever and body ache associated with the viral disease. Consult your doctor if there is need to administer other medications for fever /skin infection /anti-viral infection. As it is a viral infection antibiotic does not have any role. It is only indicated if there is secondary skin/bacterial infection ·
- Spread: Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease (communicable) and others in the family and all close contacts can easily contract the disease. Chickenpox is contagious from 1 to 2days before the rash appears, and most infectious from 12 to 24 hours before the rash appears. It can spread until all the blisters have scabbed. It spreads through the air, not just by direct contact with the rash.
- Isolation and Adequate Sleep/Rest: If one of your children has chickenpox, it will probably spread to other members of the household who have not already had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. Better than the child stays at home after5-10 days of rash appearance. Children with chickenpox should not go to school, kindergarten or child care until the last blister has dried. You should tell your child’s school, kindergarten or childcare if your child has chickenpox, as other children may need to be immunized or treated. Avoid social contact with young children, pregnant women and old people
- For Other Family Members: All contacts should have the immediate vaccination. It is effective up to 3-5 days post virus exposure. Consult your doctor about varicella zoster immunoglobulin(VZIG) in case the contact period is longer >5 days
- Prevent Dehydration: It's important to keep the child well hydrated with plenty of fluids in the form of water, juices, soup, fruits etc. stay cool and indoors
STEP-2
LOOK FOR DANGER SIGNS AND IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR DOCTOR
- Long lasting high-grade fever not responding to paracetamol
- Skin blisters increasing in size and painful swellings below the skin(to rule out abscess)
- Extreme illness and not taking food and water
- Difficult waking up or confused state /altered consciousness
- Difficulty in walking /weakness
- Stiff neck
- Frequent vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- A severe cough
- Severe abdominal pain
- Rash with bleeding or bruising
In some cases, chickenpox can cause serious problems, such as:
- Skin infections
- Dehydration (not having enough water in the body)
- Pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)
- Brain infection
STEP 3 (Dont’s)
- Do not take aspirin and other oral medications without consulting your doctor·
- Do not stay in crowded places·
- Do not avoid food and fluids (Home based food)·
- Do not avoid danger signs·
- Avoid exertion during the febrile phase·
- Avoid oily, spicy and salty foods as this may irritate the sore mouth·
- Also if there are blisters in mouth avoid citrus fruits as they may cause irritation·
- Stay away from processed food and junk food
STEP 4 (DIET)
- Take home-based diet
- Light digestible food like khichdi will be easy to digest as well as provide the required calories and proteins
- Sprouts are good form of protein which helps in increasing immunity
- Garlic and turmeric in diet boost the immunity as well
- It's important to take diet rich in vitamin A as it helps in healing the skin eg. Green and coloured leafy vegetables
- Food rich in calcium and magnesium like milk, wheat, beans etc
- Food rich in zinc help to boost the immunity eg pulses, beans, vegetables
- Increased water intake to maintain body hydration
- Fruits like banana, apple, watermelons. If there are no oral sores and ulcers then citrus fruits like grapes, oranges can also be taken
- Fruits can also be taken mixed with milkshakes
- Boiled vegetables and soups provide the essential nutrients for regeneration of cells damaged
- Curd and buttermilk contain calcium and other probiotics for better digestion and skin healing and boosting immunity