Chickenpox (varicella), a viral illness
characterized by a very itchy red rash, is one of the most common infectious
diseases of childhood. It is usually mild in children but there is a risk of
serious complications, such as bacterial pneumonia.
People who
have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime immunity (meaning you are
extremely unlikely to get it again). However, the virus remains dormant in the
body and it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.
What causes chickenpox?
Chickenpox
is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a
sneeze or cough, or by contact with the clothing, bed linens or oozing blisters
of an infected person. The onset of symptoms is 10 to 21 days after exposure.
The disease is most contagious a day or two before the rash appears and until
the rash is completely dry and scabbed over.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
Chickenpox
appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and
limbs. Lasting seven to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to
fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also
appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes or on the genitals and can
be very painful.
This cycle
repeats itself in new areas of the body until finally, after about two weeks,
all of the sores have healed. The disease is contagious until all the spots
have dried up. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at least one day
before the rash breaks out.
Remedies for Chickenpox
1. Baking Soda: Mix a tablespoon of baking
soda in one glass of water. Now, dip a sponge in this solution and apply it all
over the body. Baking soda is one of the best remedies to eliminate the itching
and irritation, caused due to the chickenpox rashes.
2. Oatmeal: One of the safest home
remedies to treat chickenpox is oatmeal. Take 2 cups of oatmeal and crush it
into a fine powder. Now, put this powder in 2 litres of water and let it remain
for about 15 minutes. Take a cloth bag and put this mixture into it. Place the
bag in a bath tub, filled with lukewarm water and shake it properly till the
water turns milky. Soak yourself in this water to get an instant relief from
the itchiness due to chickenpox.
3. Calamine Lotion: Dab calamine lotion on
the rashes. This will relieve you from itching, caused due to chickenpox.
4. Indian Lilac (Ne em): Indian lilac or
neem has great anti-viral properties. Take some neem leaves and crush them into
a paste. Apply this paste on the blisters in order to get relief from the
itchiness. It will also dry out the rashes.
5. Honey: Apply honey on the affected area
at least twice or thrice a day. Honey will quickly heal the blisters as well as
also give relief from itchiness, caused due to chickenpox infection.
6. Marigold & Witch Hazel: Mix 2
tablespoons of marigold flowers along with a teaspoon of witch hazel in a cup
of water. Leave it overnight. Apply this mixture, the next morning. This will
greatly relieve from the itching, caused due to chickenpox.
7. Carrot & Coriander Soup: Take 100
grams of carrots and chop them well. Also chop 60 grams of coriander leaves and
boil it with chopped carrots in water for some time. Now, strain and cool it
down. Drink this soup once in a day. This will effectively heal the chickenpox.
8. Sandalwood Oil: Sandalwood oil is an
excellent soothing treatment for chickenpox. Soak a cotton ball in sandalwood
oil and apply it on the blisters. This will quickly heal the rashes while
reducing the symptoms of chickenpox.
9. Brown Vinegar: Add ½ cup of brown
vinegar to a tub, filled with warm water. Soak in it in order to get rid of
irritation and aid in a quick healing of chickenpox while also reducing the
scars.
10. Green Peas: Boil 200 gram of green peas
in some water. After draining the water, crush it into a paste. Apply this on
the chickenpox lesions and let it remain for an hour.
11. Ginger: Ginger is also effective in
healing up the rashes, caused due to chickenpox. You can also add ginger to
your bath water to get relief from itching.
12. Try Herbal Teas: Herbal teas are also
beneficial in curing the chickenpox symptoms. You can try herbs, like
chamomile, holy basil and lemon balm and take them in the form of tea. You just
simply need to boil one of these herbs in water, and then, add a little bit of
cinnamon powder, honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Drink this tea at least
2-3 times a day for better results.
13. Colts foot Leaves and Queen of the Meadow:
Take 2 tablespoons of queen of the meadow, 1 teaspoon of colts foot leaves, and
2 teaspoon of marigold flowers. Steep these in 2 cups of boiling water for at
least 20 minutes. Take one cup of this tea every day. This herbal remedy will
quickly relieve you from the symptoms of chickenpox.
14. Echinacea: Echinacea is another herb,
which can be tried for curing chickenpox. Other herbs, like goldenseal, burdock
root, and St. John’s Wort and pau d’arco bark are also useful.
15. Vitamin E Oil: Apply vitamin E oil on
the chickenpox blisters in order to quickly heal them.
16. Tea Tree Oil: You can also apply tea
tree oil, diluted with any carrier oil, to the chickenpox rashes. Tea tree oil
is an excellent anti-bacterial, and therefore, it will help a lot in curing the
infection. Lavender oil can also be applied to the rashes for a soothing
effect.
17. Aloe Vera: Apply fresh aloe vera gel on
the rashes to get a soothing relief from chickenpox symptoms. Aloe vera is one
of the best natural medicines for healing skin infections.
18. Calendula: Apply a cream, based with
calendula herb, for an effective relief from the rashes.
19. Over-the-counter Medications: Take
over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and acetaminophen
for treating fever and pain, caused due to chickenpox.
If the
chickenpox blisters are causing too much itchiness, then it is better to take
an over-the-counter antihistamine to get an immediate relief from it.