chicken pox
|
| Description |
| Chicken pox is a highly
contagious disease, occurring usually in
children. It usually affects children of
three to four years of age. In most cases,
the older the child, the more severe the
attack. |
| Root Causes |
- Virus: Chicken pox
is caused by a virus.
- Serious condition such as
Shingles or herpes zoster:
Many researchers believe that the disease
is closely related to a much more serious
condition known as shingles or herpes
zoster that affects adults.
- Persistent wrong feeding
of children: The basic cause
of the disease, as in most cases of
childhood fevers, is however, persistent
wrong feeding of children, which results
in diminished defence mechanisms of
the body.
|
| Symptoms |
- Low grade fever, a mild headache
and weakness: Chicken pox usually
begins with a low grade fever, a mild
headache and a feeling of weakness.
- Rash appears on the upper
chest or back: A rash appears
on the skin on the first day of the
disease. This is in the form of tiny
red spots on the skin, mostly on the
upper back or chest. In more severe
cases, a rash may appear on the face
and lower extremities. The papules turn
into blisters and finally become pustules
and form scabs, which fall off. They
come in successive crops, so that while
some are drying, others are beginning
to form. The skin clears after a few
days and the child feels well again.
The duration of this disease ranges
from ten to twenty-one days but is usually
between fourteen and seventeen days.
|
| Home Remedies |
- Brown Vinegar: The
use of brown vinegar is one of the most
important among the several home remedies
found beneficial in the treatment of
chicken pox. Half a cup of this vinegar
should be added to a bath of warm water.
This will relieve the irritation of
the skin.
- Oatmeal: A bath of
oatmeal is considered a natural remedy
for relieving the itch due to chicken
pox. This bath is prepared by cooking
two cups of oatmeal in two liters of
water for fifteen minutes. This mixture
is then put into a cloth bag, preferably
cotton, and a string is tied tightly
around the top. This bag is allowed
to float in a tub of warm water, and
swished around until the water becomes
turbid. Precaution should be taken to
ensure that the bag is not torn. The
child with chicken pox can splash and
play in the water, making sure that
water goes over all the scalds, while
the pouch of oatmeal can remain in the
tub .
- Pea Water: Green
pea water is another effective remedy
for relieving irritation of the skin.
The water in which fresh peas have been
cooked can be used for this purpose.
- Baking Soda: Baking
soda is a popular remedy to control
the itching in chicken pox. Some baking
soda should be put in a glass of water.
The child should be sponged with this
water, so that the soda dries on the
skin. This will keep the child away
from scratching the eruptions.
- Vitamin E Oil: The
use of vitamin E oil is valuable in
chicken pox. This oil should be rubbed
on the skin. It will have a healing
effect. The marks left by chicken pox
will fade away by this application.
- Honey: The use of
honey as an external application has
also proved valuable in chicken pox.
The skin should be smeared with honey.
It will help in the healing of the disease
within three days.
- Carrot and Coriander:
A soup prepared from carrots and coriander
has been found beneficial in the treatment
of chicken pox. About 100 gm of carrots
and 60 gm of fresh coriander should
be cut into small pieces and boiled
for a while. The residue should be discarded.
This soup should be taken once a day
- Herbal Tea: A mild
sedative herbal tea can also prove beneficial
in the treatment of chicken pox. This
tea can be prepared from any of the
herbs like chamomile (babunah), basil
(tulsi), marigold (zergul) and lemon
balm (billilotan). A little cinnamon
(dalchini), honey, and lemon may be
added to this tea. 1t should be sipped
slowly several times a day.
|
| Precautions |
Varivax,
a vaccine for chickenpox, is highly recommended
for healthy children, adolescents, and adults.
Set up an Immunization Schedule for your
child with your doctor.
The vaccine has been shown to be 80% effective
in preventing chickenpox. A small percentage
of newly immunized people will develop a
mild rash. Pregnant women and infants younger
than 1 year should not be vaccinated. |
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