Chicken Pox Treatment

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• QWhat are the treatment options for chickenpox?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Time is usually the main treatment option for children with chickenpox. It is caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help it improve. Of course, if there is an associated infection with blisters, your child might be given an antibiotic treatment to kill off bacteria.

  If your doctor has determined that you're susceptible to the more serious illnesses linked to chickenpox, you may be given an antiviral drug like acyclovir to help reduce the effects of the disease.

  Otherwise, taking cool water baths with oatmeal, using calamine lotion, eating non-aggravating (or bland) foods, and getting some good, old-fashioned rest can help with the disease.

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• QWhat medications treat chickenpox?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Children with chickenpox usually don't take any medications to help treat it. But if you're at risk for some serious conditions that have been linked to the virus, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug, such as acyclovir, immune globulin intravenous, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. These drugs will help reduce the severity of the symptoms of chickenpox. If the rash has lasted more than a day, though, these drugs may not be effective. Pregnant women are not usually given these drugs.
  Over-the-counter medications can help relieve fever and itching, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and colloidal oatmeal baths or calamine lotion can ease the itch.
• QCan I take an antihistamine for the itch of chickenpox?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Sometimes doctors will suggest people with chickenpox take an antihistamine for the itchiness related to the disease. You will want to make sure your doctor knows about any underlying health conditions you have and any other medications you are taking, though. Also, if your child has chickenpox, talk to your doctor about the safety of the medication in children.

• QHow effective is the chickenpox vaccine?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  The vaccine that protects people from getting chicken pox or herpes zoster is 70% to 90% effective against any form of varicella disease, and over 90% effective against the severe form. And if you do get chicken pox, you experience it mildly, with less than 50 poxes per person, mild or no fever, and a faster recovery. Compared to the 500 itchy, oozing blisters, lurking in every crevice on the body you would get otherwise, that’s not so bad at all.

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• QHow can I keep my child from scratching chickenpox?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  It may be hard to keep a child from scratching at the unbearably itchy rash of chickenpox. But it is important to lessen scratching to prevent scars and possible secondary infection. Here are a few things to try:

  • Make sure your child's nails are cut short.
  • Put a pair of mittens on your child's hands.
  • Give your child cool baths and put calamine lotion on the itchy spots.
• QWhat treatment will my child get for chickenpox?

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  A Dr. James D. Fortenberry, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

  Your child’s doctor will talk with you about specific care for your child. Some general guidelines to follow include:

  • Give acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®, Panadol®) if prescribed by your child’s doctor to control fever, aches, or pains. Follow the directions on the box carefully or ask your child’s doctor how much medicine to give.

        - Do not give your child more than 5 doses of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.

        - Do not give acetaminophen to babies less than 3 months of age without a doctor's order

  • DO NOT use aspirin because of the risk of Reyes Syndrome.

  • DO NOT give your child ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, Pediaprofen®).

  • Give plenty of clear liquids.

  • Infants under 12 months old should be offered Infalyte®, Pedialyte® or Ricelyte® or store brand as directed by your child’s doctor.

  • Rest.

• QHow can I relieve the itching from my child’s chickenpox?

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  A Dr. James D. Fortenberry, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

  •        Give him frequent lukewarm baths, (you may add baking soda or oatmeal to the bath water)

  •        Apply calamine lotion to the rash

          -       DO NOT put calamine near the eyes or in the mouth

          -       DO NOT use creams containing diphenhydramine unless ordered by your child’s doctor

  •        Give oral medicines if ordered by your child’s doctor

• QIf my child has chickenpox, how can I make him more comfortable?

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  A UCLA Health answered

  Use cool, wet compresses or bathe your child in cool or lukewarm water or oatmeal products every three to four hours for the first few days, to help relieve itching.

  Put calamine lotion on itchy areas (except on the face).

  Serve foods that are cold, soft and bland, since mouth blisters may make drinking or eating difficult.

  Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pain-relieving creams.