Chicken Pox

🌿 Overview

Chicken pox is caused by varicella zoster virus and mainly occurs in children ages 2–8. It is much more severe if contracted in adulthood. Once had, it provides lifetime immunity. The same virus that causes chicken pox in children causes shingles in adults. Children who have it naturally have better immunity than those vaccinated. Key caution: NEVER give aspirin to children with chicken pox — it can trigger fatal Reye's Syndrome.

Common signs

• Fever and headache 7–21 days after exposure
• Small, round pimples on face and body filled with fluid (water blisters)
• Fluid leaks and forms a crust
• Eruptions continue in cycles for 3–7 days
• Disease runs its course in approximately 14 days
• Communicable 1–2 days before rash until all blisters are crusted

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Varicella zoster virus — highly contagious
• Transmitted by contact and airborne droplets
• Epidemics tend to occur in winter and spring
• If a pregnant mother has it in the first four months, birth defects are possible

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. NEVER give aspirin to children with chicken pox — this can cause fatal Reye's Syndrome
2. Give vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → C to bowel tolerance
3. A warm, deep 15-minute bath at onset helps pox develop more rapidly; keep head cool
4. Daily tepid baths with change of clothes and linens
5. Relieve itching with calamine lotion, moist baking soda, or starch baths
6. Apply vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → E oil directly to each papule to minimize scarring
7. Oatmeal baths are soothing: 1 lb. uncooked oatmeal ground fine, placed in a cloth bag and floated in the tub
8. Keep the child's nails short; have child wear mittens at night to prevent scratching
9. Instead of scratching, apply gentle pressure to the area
10. Light, fat-free, sugar-free diet; fresh fruit juices with protein powder and brewer's yeast
11. Mashed bananas and fresh raw applesauce when fever drops and appetite returns
12. GargleSwishing a warm liquid at the back of the throat, then spitting. How to make a gargle → with ¼ tsp. salt in 1 pint water if throat is affected
13. Avoid constipation

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

Favor these

• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices with added protein powder
• Vegetable broth
• Light fat-free, sugar-free diet
• Catnip tea with molasses
• Mashed bananas and raw applesauce as recovery begins

Go easy on

• Sugar — feeds the virus and worsens the rash
• Fat and heavy foods
• All processed foods

If you contract chicken pox as an adult, go on a fasting program of fresh fruit and vegetable juices interspersed with light meals.

💬 Ask Remy about Chicken Pox