Common Causes of Chicken Pox are Herpes Zoster Virus, Inhaling airborne droplets, Contact with broken chickenpox blisters and Poor immune system. Chickenpox usually occurs in late winter and early spring. Since the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine, many children never get chickenpox. Because most people get vaccinated against chickenpox, it is most common among newborn babies, followed by pregnant women and people with weak immune systems. Usually, the worst symptoms of chickenpox subside in about two weeks. However, you can try some natural remedies to alleviate some of the symptoms and get relief from itching as the virus takes its course.
1.Wild mustard, Black Currants, Figs
Make a decoction of 1 tsp Wild mustard/London rocket (Khaksi / Khub Kalan) 5 Black Currants (Munaqqa), 2 dried Figs (Anjeer) and 1 litre water and give to the child/patient for many times a day. This is a highly beneficial and trial prescription for chicken pox.
2.Pomegranate rind powder, Yoghurt
Mix 24 gm fine powder of sore Pomegranate‘s dried rind in 96 gm fresh Yoghurt and give to the child/patient for many times a day. This is very beneficial in chicken pox treatment; it will clear within few days.
3.Carrots, Coriander leaves Soup
Boil a cup of chopped Carrots and chopped ½ cup of fresh Coriander leaves in a glass of water for a few minutes. Strain and drink soup when it is lukewarm on a daily basis for a month or so for a swift and sooner recovery.
4.Gruel of Rice and Green gram/ Golden gram
Gruel (Khichri) of Rice and Green gram/ Golden gram (Moong dal) should be given to the child/patient daily until patient recover. This is very beneficial and it will provide relief from disease very rapidly.
5.Herbal Teas
Drink mild and sedative herbal teas made of lemon balm, chamomile, basil, or marigold. These are all directed at providing relief from the incessant itching. Put one tablespoon of any of these herbs in a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for a few minutes after straining it add a little lemon and honey and sip the tea slowly. Drink this herbal tea several times a day for best results.
6.Tea Tree Oil
Tree Oil is an anti viral, anti biotic, strong anti fungal and probably relieves skin irritation and helps heal the lesions and prevent scarring too, if there was any surface fungal growth that would be taken care of by the Oil. Apply Tea Tree Oil directly to the chicken pox using a cotton bud or swab.
7.Aloe Vera gel
Apply Aloe Vera gel on chicken pox to get relief from itching as well as to soothe blisters and irritation. Or gently rub Aloe Vera pulp pieces over the affected area, thrice a day. Leave it on for some time and go for a cool or lukewarm water bath. Aloe Vera has antibacterial properties providing immediate relief from other skin diseases as well. Aloe-Vera has long been associated with bringing about relief from sun burn, and burns in general.
8.Baking Soda
Stir one-half tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Use a cotton sponge to put the solution on the affected parts of the body. Allow the mixture to dry on the body. When soda dries on the skin it controls the itchiness and irritation.
9.Neem
Margosa (Neem) is useful in the treatment of chicken pox as it has antiviral properties. Additionally it aids in drying-out the blisters and alleviates itching sensation to a great degree. Take a handful of Neem leaves, crush them and apply the paste on the blistered regions. Adding Neem leaves in bath water is also beneficial.
10.Honey
Honey will help control the itchiness and heal the chickenpox within a few days. Get a good quality pure honey smear on the scabs. Repeat the process two to three times a day until the scars are gone.
11.Sandalwood Oil
Applying sandalwood oil on the rashes helps to treat the various symptoms of chickenpox. Do this regularly until all the sores and scars heal completely.
12.Vitamin E oil, Cocoa butter
Apply Vitamin E oil or Cocoa butter on the blisters to prevent and lighten scarring; the scars fade away very quickly.
13.Marigold Flower, Witch hazel leaves
Marigold flowers can also be used to relieve itching. Mix two tablespoons of marigold flowers with one teaspoon of witch hazel leaves. Put the mixture in a cup of water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, grind the mixture into fine and smooth paste. Apply on rash as needed it will relieve the itch of chicken pox.
14.Brown Vinegar
One of the most effective remedies for treating chicken pox is brown vinegar. It helps in mitigating skin irritation and sloughs off the blisters and averts scarring. Simply add one-half cup of brown vinegar to lukewarm bathwater, and soak in the bath for some time.
15.Calamine lotion
Calamine lotion is the most common lotion used to soothe itching due to chicken pox, applied directly to blisters to help them dry out and to give the skin relief. But it can aggravate itchiness in some people.
16.Ginger Soak
Fill the bath tub with warm water and add fresh Ginger chunks’ small bag (Potli) to it, Let it sit until it lukewarm take a 30 minute bath. This helps stop the itching and speed up the healing process.
17.Oatmeal, Baking soda Baths
Cool or lukewarm baths with Baking soda or Oatmeal can help reduce itching and soothe the blisters. These baths can be taken every four hours during the day or whenever the itching gets too unbearable.
Warm baths blended with 2 cups ground oatmeal such as Aveeno Oatmeal Bath or home-ground oatmeal can help reduce itching in children with chicken pox.
Adding 2 oz/4 tbs Baking soda per tub to a warm bath may also put a halt to itching. However, when you don't have either on hand, frequent warm baths are sometimes helpful as an alternative.
Care During Chicken Pox
Most cases of chickenpox can be managed at home only a small number of cases needing medical attention. Chicken pox heals on its own, but care can be taken to make it less painful and uncomfortable for your child. Here are some guidelines that can help.
- Trim your child's fingernails or cover her hands with socks or mittens to keep her from scratching, which could lead to infection as well as to possible scarring.
- It is best to dress the baby in loose cotton clothes to keep the body cool and abate itching. Also, keep your infant in cool and clean environment to avoid heat and humidity that can aggravate itchiness.
- Wash your infant’s clothes and bed linen in hot water and separately to avoid spreading of infection.
- Leave your baby's diaper off as much as possible to allow the vesicles to dry out and scab.
- Keep sores clean by washing daily. Apply lotion afterwards.
- If your child has been introduced to solids, avoid spicy food, and instead give healthy soups that will help boost the immunity of the child.
- It is essential to give the infant plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Give your infant more milk (breast milk or formula milk), and if you have introduced solids, you can give the baby water. If your child is little older, you can give him/her juices, buttermilk, and coconut water as they cool the body. Carrot, pomegranate, and litchi juices are effective in treating chicken pox in infants.
- Increase the intake of fresh fruit juices to keep the patient hydrated and to improve immunity
- Avoid processed and fatty junk food and consume large amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits
- Foods that are difficult to digest should be avoided such as red meat, spicy and fried foods
- Include foods high in vitamin A and C, zinc, magnesium, and calcium to boost immunity and increase stamina
- If blisters develop in the mouth, eating may be painful. In such cases, try drinking fluids with a straw and keep the food bland and soft. Cold foods such as milkshakes and ice cream are also recommended. Avoid foods that are oily, spicy or overly acidic.
- Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and use as a gargle to ease mouth sores, or rinse with a combination of warm water and hydrogen peroxide. In older children, Chloraseptic lozenges or sprays contain a mild anesthetic.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), or cetirizine (Zyrtec) taken orally also can relieve itching. These medicines are available over the counter.
- Treat fever with acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin are common brand names). Read the label before giving any medication. Some medicines contain many different agents. If the medicine is for a child, make sure it contains no aspirin. Never give aspirin to a child because aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome.
- Cold compresses applied to the affected areas can provide relief. Applying calamine lotion also helps, but avoid using lotions and creams that contain diphenhydramin as this can lead to toxicity. Burow’s solution is a commercially available powder that is to be mixed with water and applied to the rash to reduce itching and offer relief.
- Keep children at home from school and day care until all blisters have crusted. A child with chickenpox is extremely contagious until the last crop of blisters has crusted.
- If you take your child to a doctor's office, call ahead to let the staff know that you think your child has chickenpox. They may usher you to a special waiting or treatment room to avoid exposing other children.
Chickenpox normally clears up within ten to fourteen days without any real medical intervention. However, call your doctor immediately in case any of the following symptoms are experienced:
- The fever lasts for more than four days and rises to 102° F or higher
- There is a cough along with difficulty in breathing
- The patient seems disoriented and confused
- He seems sleepy or has trouble waking up
- He cannot walk easily
- He complains of a headache or a stiff neck
- The rash is leaking pus or is swollen, red, and hot to the touch
- There is nausea and vomiting
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