Chicken pox is an illness caused by the herpes zoster virus and was once a disease that almost every child inevitably caught. New generations of children are being routinely vaccinated against chicken pox and should never experience the painful, itchy rash and fever that are symptoms of the disease. There are some people, however, that will still get chicken pox if they have not received the vaccine. Chicken pox is a virus and must runs its course, but there are several ways to soothe the discomfort that remains.
Step 1
Soothe the itching that is characteristic of chicken pox by taking baths with oatmeal. Regular oatmeal can be used, or you can buy colloidal oatmeal, a finer grain that is used only for bathing purposes. If you cannot find colloidal oatmeal and do not like the feel of regular oatmeal, run the oats through a food processor to yield a finer grain. Scatter 1 cup of oatmeal into warm bath water. Baking soda can be used in place of oatmeal, if desired.
Step 2
Apply calamine lotion to chicken pox blisters to ease the pain and itching. Calamine lotion is used routinely to reduce the discomfort from bites, stings, poison ivy and similar outdoor-related mishaps. The active ingredient in the lotion will also help calm a chicken pox rash.
Step 3
Take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine with the permission of your doctor, if topical treatments are not providing enough relief. Use the medications as directed on the packaging or by your doctor.
Step 4
Follow a soft, bland, cool-food diet if you have lesions in your mouth and throat. Hard foods and those that are spicy or acidic can irritate the sores, as can drinks with carbonation. Ice cream, water, clear juices and lukewarm soups may soothe sore throats associated with chicken pox. Solid foods that are soft such as bananas, applesauce and soft breads and rolls may also provide sustenance without exacerbating the sores.
Step 5
Apply cool compresses to both chicken pox lesions and the patients forehead to relieve pain and fever. Use pain relief medications to lower a fever, under your doctor's supervision.
Things You'll Need
- Oatmeal
- Food processor
- Baking soda
- Calamine lotion
- Antihistamines
- Soft foods
- Cool compress
- Pain reliever
