Chicken Pox - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Chicken pox is a common illness caused by a primary infection from the virus varicella zoster. Chicken pox usually affects children, but is not uncommon amongst adults. Symptoms include a rash with red spots that slowly develop into fluid-filled blisters. Chicken pox spreads easily. You can fall prey to it if you come into contact with the fluids that are released during coughing and sneezing, or through direct contact with the rash. So if you know someone who has chicken pox, make sure that you take adequate precautions when you visit them, especially during the 10 to 21 day incubation period of the infection.
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Home Remedies For Chicken Pox Cure
There are several natural remedies available to combat chicken pox.- One of the most common remedies is the use of calamine lotion. Calamine lotion is easily available at any store and acts as a natural coolant. It provides a soothing sensation to the skin and reduces the heat from blisters. It is also applied to dried blisters to remove any scars.
- Another method is mixing brown vinegar in your bath water, which will provide a lot of relief from skin irritation.
- Oatmeal baths can also be prepared at home by blending dry oatmeal into a fine powder and adding it to bath water. This helps provide immense relief from itching.
- Applying Vitamin E oil all over your skin aids the healing process. It not only speeds up the removal of blisters but also minimizes the chances of developing dark scars.
- If you have sores in your hair, applying crushed neem leaves is useful. Neem has proven anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, and decreases the chances of any further infection. Although sores in the mouth are rare, a simple rinse with warm water will provide you with a lot of relief.
The use of anti-viral drugs in the very early stages of the illness has shown slight benefits in terms of alleviating the symptoms. If the symptoms are really bad, over-the-counter medications containing antihistamines should be used to provide relief from pain and itching. Antihistamines reduce the formation of lesions and also speed up the healing process. Paracetamol is effective against muscle aches and joint pains that sometimes accompany chicken pox. It is also useful in reducing fever.
All patients with chicken pox should have their nails trimmed short and should be careful of who they come into contact with. This helps decrease the chances of a secondary bacterial infection. You should never squeeze the blisters as this does not speed up the healing process, but will leave scars. Moreover, you should boost your immune system to help fight the infection. Your diet should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and lentils.