Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus that frequently affects preschool and elementary school aged children. While a vaccine does exist to help to protect children from acquiring the virus, it isn't effective for all children. Most children who get chickenpox will recover completely with no complications. Children or adults who contract chickenpox and have a weakened immune system due to cancer or other diseases should contact a doctor immediately for treatment.
Significance
Chickenpox causes the familiar red blisters to appear all over the skin. According to Kids Health, these blisters contain liquid that leaks out and causes the skin to itch. The first reaction is to scratch the skin to relieve itching. This can be dangerous because scratching these blisters will tear the skin. Once the skin is broken, germs and bacteria have easy get into the body and an infection can occur. It is important to use products that are safe and that provide anti-itch benefits such as oatmeal baths.
Directions for Use
Adding oatmeal to your child's bath can help to soothe the skin and decrease itchiness related to chickenpox. You can add two to three cups of colloidal oatmeal which is uncooked oatmeal ground to a fine powder. Colloidal oatmeal can be purchased in oatmeal baths products in the grocery or drug store. You can also grind regular oatmeal in a food processor until it is a fine powder. Add the oatmeal to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. You can bathe in an oatmeal bath three times a day to relieve the itching. When you get out of the bath, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing with a towel, which can damage the blisters and cause irritation and infection.
Benefits
Oatmeal baths soothe the skin and relieve itchiness without using chemicals or other additives that could further irritate or dry out the skin. Oatmeal also provides a treatment method that is inexpensive and readily available in any grocery store. Many households already have oatmeal in the pantry, so a trip to the store isn't even required for an anti-itch treatment.
Time Frame
Chickenpox is the itchiest before the blisters have scabbed over. Taking oatmeal baths prior to the blisters forming scabs will provide the most relief. Soaking after scabs have formed can soften them and cause them to fall off prematurely. Scabs should be left alone and should be allowed to fall off on their own to avoid infection and help prevent scarring.
Warning
If at any time during the course of a chickenpox outbreak your blisters become inflamed, swollen, and painful or oozes pus, you should contact your doctor immediately. Infections can become serious and can lead to a fever, scarring or an infection in the blood known as sepsis. Using whole oatmeal in the bath will clog the drain so purchasing oatmeal bath packets of colloidal oatmeal or grinding it yourself if a food processor will prevent a drain clog and a plumber bill.
