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Chicken pox Infants
cure for chicken pox in infants
(28 May 2009)
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chicken pox is an infectious disease that is caused the Varicella Zoster Virus. The virus is a member of the herpes virus family, and it commonly afflicts children under the age of nine years. The infection causes the appearance of reddish skin lesions or a rash that eventually become blisters.
The skin symptoms are also accompanied by fever, muscle aches and general weakness. While the condition is not much cause for worry in children it is potentially serious when diagnosed in infants or adults, as there is an added risk of complications. Prompt diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can however prevent any such complications from developing. Most cases of infant chicken pox are also mild, so it is unlikely that you should have much to worry about.
There is no cure for chicken pox as such, since it is a viral infection, and treatment therefore is directed towards reducing and controlling the symptoms, providing relief, and minimizing the chances of an infection. The infection itself resolves naturally and will follow its normal course. The rash as you would know starts out as itchy bumps that rapidly turn into clear, fluid-filled blisters. These will eventually become dry brown crusts or scabs that fall off later. The infant is likely to be tired and a little feverish, with a mild cough or cold. The infection will however last for just five to ten days in most scenarios.
If your child is healthy you should not worry much as the disease would more likely be a nuisance than an actual threat. In the rare occasions where complications may develop there could be a threat of bacterial skin infection, encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, or pneumonia. The main aspect of treatment that you need to pay attention to is to look out for any signs of infection. If your child seems sicker than expected or develops fever after the first couple of days, if there is a spread of the rash to the eyes, or if there is a painful reddening or swelling of the area around blisters you should call your doctor.
Treatment plan for chicken pox:
- Keep your child at home, as the infection is very contagious.
- The itching can be particularly troubling for infants, so give the child a bath every couple of hours. You can add baking soda, or oatmeal to the bath water for relief. Calamine lotion applied after a bath can also help sooth the itchy blisters.
- Infants will naturally succumb to the itchiness and you need to prevent them from scratching. This may be tough but is necessary, as picking at the blisters can not just leave scars, but also lead to infections. You could keep your baby’s nails short and don him / her in mittens or gloves.
- Make sure you follow your doctor’s recommendations meticulously and administer the prescribed medications.
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answered by S D on 28 May 2009, 6:05:55
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