Soothing Chickenpox Irritation: Medicine Chest Essentials

From annoying itching to painful fever, chickenpox wreaks havoc on mind and body. While the viral illness runs its 7-10 day course, symptom relief remains imperative.

A strategic arsenal of medicinal creams, gentle herbs and at-home remedies prevents complications and eases suffering until the iconic rash resolves.

Here I’ll review my top therapeutic picks to mollify this childhood scourge.

You’ll discover:

  • The best OTC lotions to stop the maddening itch
  • Herbal alternatives for gentle relief
  • Simple home remedies to augment medical care
  • Answers to common chickenpox care questions

Let’s start with the beloved pink lotion that graces most medicine cabinets during chickenpox season.

Calamine Lotion: The Venerable Itch Fighter

Of all chickenpox treatments, none enjoys greater fame than soothing calamine lotion. This mild astringent relies on zinc oxide to curb itching three ways:

  • Cools Inflamed Skin – Evaporative effects lower skin temperature, quieting irritation.
  • Protects Raw Skin – Forms a healing barrier over broken blisters to prevent infection.
  • Absorbs Fluids – Directly dries up oozing blister contents to dry out lesions.

With its trademark pink hue, thin liquid consistency and immediate itch relief, calamine ranks among the most beloved chickenpox fighters. Find it in most pharmacies under brands like Caladryl or Aveeno Soothing Relief.

Appropriate Use

Apply calamine lotion multiple times per day directly onto affected areas. Avoid broken skin or near eyes. Check with a pediatrician before using on children under age two years.

Colloidal Oatmeal Baths

Slipping into a soothing oatmeal bath becomes a decadent yet effective way to curb chickenpox itching while locking in skin moisture.

Dissolving colloidal oatmeal in lukewarm water leverages its anti-inflammatory properties. As skin pores absorb the natural avenanthramides in oats, redness and irritation calm.

Commercial products like Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment simplify preparation. But you can make your own by pulverizing a cup of raw oats into a fine powder and sprinkling it into bathwater.

Appropriate Use

Soak in an oatmeal bath for 10-15 minutes once daily until rash resolves. Rinse off, pat skin dry, then apply preferred medicated lotions.

Menthol/Camphor Lotions

Sometimes maximizing itch relief requires an extra cooling touch. Lotions containing natural menthol or camphor provide that instant frigid sensation to override chickenpox irritation.

As the brisk mentholated formula touches inflamed skin, chemical receptors sense the chilly effect – distracting nerves from transmitting itchy misery to the brain.

Over-the-counter products like Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion, Itch-X, and Lanacane Anti-Itch cream deliver this one-two punch of anti-itch and cooling action.

Appropriate Use

Apply topical menthol/camphor lotions to intact skin up to 4 times daily. Never use on open blisters or on children under age two without pediatric guidance.

Chamomile Tea

For gently soothing chickenpox inside and out, consider the subtle anti-inflammatory effects of chamomile tea.

Consumed as a calming beverage or applied topically when cooled, chamomile’s apigenin compounds reduce skin irritants like histamine that provoke chickenpox itching.

The tea also supplies mild antiseptic effects to help prevent secondary skin infections. Its soothing aroma also enhances relaxation – perfect for fussy, uncomfortable children.

Appropriate Use

Have children drink up to three cups of cooled chamomile tea daily. Use clean soft cloths soaked in cooled tea to gently dab skin. Monitor for skin sensitivity or reactions.

Tea Tree Oils

Extracted from the tea tree plant native to Australia, tea tree oil makes an excellent natural chickenpox fighter.

Thanks to robust antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory components called terpenoids, this medicinal-smelling oil destroys infectious germs while calming rashes.

Its wound healing benefits also prevent ongoing skin irritation during the blister/scab stages. Never ingest tea tree oil, which is for external use only.

Appropriate Use

Under adult supervision, use cotton balls to gently dab extremely diluted tea tree oil onto intact skin after bathing. Repeat twice daily unless irritation develops.

Antihistamine Relief

Orally-taken antihistamines work internally to reduce chickenpox itching and inflammation. By blocking histamine release, OTC medicines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Atarax (hydroxyzine) interrupt the chemical pathway that triggers irritation.

These agents also relieve other symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes via secondary anti-allergy effects. Their sedative properties also promote much-needed rest.

Appropriate Use

Give pediatrician-recommended doses of liquid antihistamine up to every 6 hours until rash resolves. Use medications labeled non-drowsy like Claritin (loratadine) during daytime hours.

FAQs About Chickenpox Remedies

Is calamine lotion good for shingles pain?

Yes, cooling calamine also effectively relieves the burning itchiness accompanying shingles rashes. Its protective zinc oxide barrier helps painful blisters heal cleanly.

Can you put aveeno lotion on chickenpox?

Yes. The colloidal oatmeal and soothing oils in Aveeno daily lotions safely hydrate chickenpox skin when applied lightly to intact areas. Their anti-inflammatory effects calm rashes.

What home remedy dries up chickenpox fast?

Baking soda baths effectively dry chickenpox blisters by dehydrating skin cells. Add one cup baking soda to lukewarm water and soak 10-15 minutes nightly until dried. Pat skin completely dry afterwards.

Can I use Vicks on my child’s chickenpox?

No. Menthol-containing rubs like Vicks can overly irritate delicate facial skin affected by chickenpox. Stick to creams containing very low menthol/camphor concentrations if using on small children.

How long is chickenpox contagious after the rash appears?

Chickenpox spreads via inhaled respiratory droplets or fluid from blisters until every lesion completely scabs over – usually 7-10 days after the rash first erupts.

Curbing irritating chickenpox symptoms remains crucial for comfort and preventing skin disruption that leads to scarring. By combining medicated lotions, natural botanicals, oral antihistamines and home remedies, families can weather this disruptive illness smoothly.

Key Takeaways

  • Calamine lotion provides immediate itch relief and healing
  • Oatmeal baths supply soothing anti-inflammatory effects
  • Menthol/camphor creams maximize cooling sensations
  • Chamomile tea works inside and out to reduce skin inflammation
  • Tea tree oil’s antiviral properties prevent infection
  • Antihistamines like Benadryl relieve itching systemically
  • Most remedies safe for ages 2+ with pediatric guidance

Chickenpox runs its irritating course no matter what. But keeping the medicinal cabinet stocked with these proven healers minimizes suffering substantially until the pox pass.

The post Soothing Chickenpox Irritation: Medicine Chest Essentials appeared first on Mirari Doctor.



source https://miraridoctor.com/blog/camomile-lotion-for-chickenpox/

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