Chickenpox
Symptoms
Initial signs of chickenpox are a slight fever and flu-like symptoms of aching muscles and headaches. Within days, a rash of small red spots appears on the face, later moving to include the trunk of the body. Once the spots appear, small, fluid-filled blisters develop. These dry into crusts as they heal. Typically, various stages of the rash exist simultaneously, so the skin is covered with red spots, blisters and crusts at the same time. Chickenpox is rarely dangerous, though the itch can be tormenting and troublesome. Scratching can cause an additional bacterial skin infection, which can result in scarring. In rare cases, if the immune system is low or if an adult is affected, complications can occur. If the child seems very sick, the fever becomes very high, or the fever returns after the child seemed to have improved, a practitioner should be sought.
Chickenpox Causes
Chickenpox is brought about by the highly contagious herpes zoster virus, the same virus responsible for shingles. It is the most highly contagious disease known, so once one child contracts it, almost everyone who has not yet had chickenpox and who comes in contact with the child will come down with it. It takes about two weeks for symptoms to appear after becoming infected, but once the symptoms come and go, the person is immune.
Chickenpox Nutrition
If the child's immune system has been weakened through a poor diet of excess sugars and refined carbohydrates, the disease is more likely to worsen. Nutritional treatment of chickenpox should aim at cleansing the body, stimulating the immune system and satisfying the body's need for vitamins A and C due to fever. For the first three days, a liquid diet of fresh fruit and vegetable juices is recommended. Carrot juice is especially rich in vitamin A. Children like it because of the sweet flavor. Add to the carrot juice; the juice of two lemons in water with honey every four hours to flush out toxins.
For the duration of the disease, the child should eat raw foods only, such as apples, bananas, avocados, carrots and fresh greens. Raw fruits and vegetables are easily digested and provide enzymes for boosting the immune system. Natural, plain, unsweetened yogurt or kefir replenishes the body with friendly bacteria.
Chickenpox Nutritional Supplements
Supplements will help the body fight the infection, helping the child to recover more easily and without complications. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids is an excellent immune system support and fights against viral infections. This vitamin is by far the most important. It also shortens the duration of the illness Vitamin A is a vital nutrient for the skin and also supports the immune system. Vitamin E will help prevent scarring.
Children's daily dosages, with meals:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, age three to six, 150 mg; age seven to eleven, 300 mg
Helpful
Vitamin A, age three to six, 2,500 IU; age seven to eleven 4,000 IU
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, age three to six, 15 IU; age seven to eleven, 25 IU
Chickenpox Herbal Remedies
Medicinal herbs help relieve itching, speed healing, reduce fever and prevent scars due to chickenpox.
If fever is high and chickenpox is suspected but does not break out, hot saffron tea will bring the spots to the skin's surface. The sooner the spots break out, the quicker the disease will be overcome.
Echinacea and goldenseal formula helps clear infection and strengthen the immune system. Give the child 3 drops tincture in 1/4 cup of water or 2 tsp. of tea, three times daily for one week. Goldenseal also helps relieve severe itching.
Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Yarrow tea is especially good for skin eruptions. Camomile and rose hip tea help speed healing. Alternate with an alfalfa and mint tea with honey.
A handful of yarrow or camomile herbs can also be added to bath water.
To reduce fever, take 10 drops of lobelia extract diluted in hops tea. Sip slowly until fever subsides.
Take a catnip infusion enema to help reduce symptoms and bring the fever down.
Aloe vera is most soothing. Apply gel liberally to affected area to help heal skin and relieve itching.
Apply a compress of lemon balm, peppermint and red raspberry leaf. Mix 1 powdered capsule of each in a mix of 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of water.
After bathing, apply chickweed ointment to relieve itching.
Burdock root and red clover contain many trace minerals and help heal skin lesions. Give 3 drops of each in 1/4 cup of water.
A comfrey salve speeds healing and helps
prevent scarring. Use only in later stages of
healing.
Chickenpox Homeopathy
Choose one of the below in a 6c strength, placing 2 tablets under the tongue four times daily as needed for several days.
Rhus toxicodendron is probably the most widely used homeopathic remedy for chickenpox. Use Rhus toxicodendron when the small blisters itch terribly and burn, especially at night. A hot bath provides temporary relief. Rhus toxicodendron will help if the child is restless and has difficulty falling asleep. Use this medicine when others do not fit the symptoms.
Antimonium crudum should be administered if the child is irritable, anxious and cries easily with many of the same signs of Rhus toxicodendron, except that heat worsens the symptoms. The child will cry if looked at or touched.
Pulsatilla is a good choice when the child is needy and clingy, cries easily and is not at all thirsty, even when a fever is present. Pulsatilla is a very popular remedy for many childhood illnesses.
Chickenpox Tissue Salts
Give 2 tablets of each tissue salt to the child every two or three hours until there is some relief, then three times daily.
Ferr phos is most useful at the very start of chickenpox, when there is fever.
Kali mur is useful later on, when the rash contains white pus.
Kali sulph for scaling of the skin.
Chickenpox External/Physical Therapies
Rest in bed and stay in isolation until fever has receded, at least ten days.
To bring down high fever, use herbal body wraps.
After crusts fall off, follow with herbal baths.
To help ease itching, take cool bath. Add oatmeal for an even better effect.
To discourage children from scratching themselves, which can lead to infection and scarring, cut nails short or cover hands with gloves.
Wash hands often to prevent reinfection.
Clothing should be loose-fitting and made of natural fiber.
A warm bath of 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar is soothing.
Reflexology
Work on the reflexes of the spleen, large intestine, stomach and solar plexus, as illustrated.
Chickenpox Other Suggestion
Do not take Aspirinâ„¢, as it could cause Reye's syndrome.
It is advisable that a young child be exposed to chickenpox, to prevent contraction in adulthood, which can result in complications. Adults who have never had chickenpox, especially pregnant women, should avoid contact with an infected person.
Chickenpox Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Micel Vitamin A (Klaire Laboratories)
Big Friends Children's Chewable (Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Lysn-Force (Prairie Naturals)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Aloe Vera Gel (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Inner Leaf (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Gel (The Real Aloe Co.)
Herbal Remedies
Echinacea-Golden Seal Combination
(Nature's Herbs)
Red Clover Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Homeopathy
Pulsatilla (Nelsons Homeopathy)
Rhus Tox (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Basil Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Bergamot Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Geranium Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Tea Tree Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Aloe Vera Ointment w/ Vitamin E
(The Real Aloe Co.)
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