Childhood Illnesses & Ailments: Chickenpox

*Advertorial Feature With Care ViraSoothe Cooling Gel and Spray Gel*

This year we have seen our fair share of childhood illnesses and ailments with the boys including the dreaded pox. Chickenpox is one of those illnesses that have so many ‘Myths’ and ‘old wife’s tales’

Often getting diagnosed with it means people decide to have a ‘pox party‘. Maybe its just me? but why would you want to infect your child with an illness that although unusual to get more than once, it is possible! 

Chickenpox is an extremely common and highly contagious virus, which most children will catch at some point and it is thought that most children will get Chickenpox before the age of ten and I remember the summer my whole family went down with it. Being quarantined at home for the summer holidays was totally pants! 

But what is exactly is it? Well, for starters is a highly contagious virus, varicella-zoster, which results in many symptoms including an itchy rash, high temperature, spots and fluid filled blisters that can be very uncomfortable and distressing.

Earlier this year Jacob was diagnosed with Chickenpox and the first few days he sailed through it with barely a murmur. However, towards the end of the healing process just before the spots started popping and drying up he really began to suffer with itching and irritability. 

So how did we cope and what kinds of things can you do to treat some of the symptoms?

Chickenpox can be very itchy, however scratching chickenpox spots can be very harmful as repeatedly itching the spots can cause broken skin which can leave your child vulnerable to infections and even scarring.

Finding a product that can help control the itch and that can sooth and stop infection is a must and thanks to Care who has a range of over 80 remedies for minor ailments, which includes a wide selection in the ‘Junior Range’, with products suitable for babies and children from the age of 6 months. Care’s ViraSoothe Cooling Gel and Spray Gel* can be ideal to help cool and soothe the unpleasant symptoms like the itching and help keep infections at bay which will help to reduce scarring.

Paracetamol was another must for us as we found it stopped the aches and pains that can be associated with the condition and keeping his fluid levels up obviously helped him to. However, with spots in his mouth he went off food and water for a few days but was eager to eat ice lollies! 

It is worth noting however that Ibuprofen should never be given for a child suffering with Chickenpox as it is thought that this can in self can cause skin infections in those suffering from Chickenpox.

We tried covering Jacob’s hands at night to stop him scratching but being a thumb sucker this was hard so instead we cut his finger nails to as low as we could take them without being painful to help stop him breaking the skin. He was very good while awake as we taught him to pat them and not scratch them. 

There really is no quick fix for this condition but by covering the bases with temperatures and dealing with the itch the rest is down to sleep and rest. 

For more information on Chickenpox advice and on how to manage it can be found here: http://allthecareyouneed.co.uk/self-treatment/virasoothe/

Care ViraSoothe Chickenpox Relief Gel is available in store in supermarkets nationwide (Asda Pharmacy, Co-op Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s Pharmacy and Tesco Pharmacy), Boots stores nationwide, Rowlands Pharmacy and Independent Pharmacies nationwide.

Care ViraSoothe retails at £5.73 for 50g and £8.43 for 75g for the Gel. The Spray Gel is £8.43 for 75g. 

Care ViraSoothe is also available to purchase online at: Boots, Sainsbury’s, LloydsPharmacy and Amazon