Babies who have small, red bumps over their body may have the chicken pox virus. Although rare, chicken pox in babies can cause serious health complications and even death, so it is important that parents learn about the chicken pox virus and seek medical attention when necessary.
Signs
Chicken pox blisters are usually the first sign of the virus. They start out as small red bumps, quickly change into fluid-filled blisters, then become dry brown crusts. These blisters typically first appear on the scalp, face or trunk, then quickly spread over the entire body. New bumps appear in waves as the illness progresses. In addition to these blisters, babies with chicken pox usually become feverish, tired, crabby and less hungry. They also may develop a mild cough or runny nose.
Time Frame
It usually takes about 14 to 16 days for bumps to appear after the baby is exposed to chicken pox, according to the medical advisory board at BabyCenter.com, but their appearing anywhere between 10 and 21 days is normal. The virus typically lasts about 5 to 10 days.
Risks
Although babies with weakened immune systems are most at risk, even healthy babies may develop complications. Some chicken pox complications include a bacterial skin infection, pneumonia or even a swelling of the brain. Parents should monitor their babies for symptoms of these complications, which include developing a fever after the first few days, having the rash spread into the eyes or having the skin around the blisters become swollen, very red or painful. In addition, because babies are not able to verbalize what they are feeling, it is important for parents to err on the side of caution and always have their babies checked by a doctor if they seem sicker than expected.
Prevention
Babies older than 12 months can receive a chicken pox vaccine, which causes few side effects and keeps more than 95 percent of children from getting a serious case of chickenpox, according to the Nemours Foundation. Parents with babies older than 12 months should talk to their doctors about this vaccination.
Younger babies usually possess antibodies received from the mother during pregnancy that prevent them from getting chicken pox. Therefore, it is unusual for a baby to get chicken pox during the first year of life, explains BabyCenter.com. However, parents who are concerned about chicken pox prevention for babies under 1 year of age can take standard virus prevention precautions, such as thorough hand-washing and keeping babies away from infected people.
Treatments
Parents can comfort babies with chicken pox by relieving the itching. Frequent baths, especially with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal added, may make the baby more comfortable. Calamine lotion can also soothe the itchy bumps. Babies often will scratch at the bumps, so keeping their nails short to prevent bleeding and scabbing is important. Parents can relieve a fever by administering the appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If these treatments do not seem to soothe the baby, parents should contact a doctor.
Warning
If a pregnant woman develops chicken pox just before or after a baby is born, the newborn is at risk for serious health complications and even death if not treated properly, according to the March of Dimes. Because contracting the chicken pox virus during pregnancy can be so dangerous for unborn babies and newborns, women who have not been exposed to chicken pox should be vaccinated before pregnancy if possible. Those who already are pregnant and were not exposed to chickenpox previously should contact a doctor immediately if exposed to the virus. The doctor can give an injection that is safe for both the pregnant woman and the unborn baby that may prevent the chicken pox from developing or lessen its severity.
