Chickenpox is an ugly painful disease; a viral infection which causes itchy, blister like rash all over the body. So of course you would want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Almost everyone is bound to have chickenpox once in their lifetime, most likely in their childhood.
In my previous article on chickenpox, I have focused on the causes and chicken pox symptoms in adults. Now in this article, you can learn about home remedies for chickenpox and chicken pox treatment. The reason I have penned it separately is to discuss a bit in detail on the possible complications, prevention and chicken pox treatment.
Does Chickenpox Pose any Complications?
- Vaccination: In some cases, chickenpox is a common illness which almost everyone is susceptible to once in their lifetime mostly in their childhood. Children generally have chickenpox without any major issues. But chickenpox can pose complications for pregnant women, newborns whose mothers were not vaccinated or didn’t have the virus before, teens and adults, people with impaired immune systems and people with eczema.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women who have not been infected before, should be very careful while moving around people with chickenpox, especially during the initial 20 weeks of their pregnancy. If not taken care, it may lead to birth defects in their offspring. In case the women has acquired the resistance (once infected), the baby will inherit the immunity for first few months.
- Bacterial infection: Complications include bacterial infection from the pox, though more serious conditions can include pneumonia or encephalitis.
- Shingles: Sometimes the infection gets activated and develops a similar condition later in life as an adult (and even sometimes in children), called shingles. Shingles, caused by the zoster part of the virus, is a painful rash that usually breaks out on one side of the body.
Chicken Pox Home Treatment
The medication prescribed for chicken pox is targeted to treat itching and other associated symptoms such as fever, headache, body pains, etc to lessen the severity of the illness.
Medicines like antihistamines treat the itching symptoms and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used to decrease the fever and aches often associated with the initial onset of the viral infection.
Note: Do not give aspirin or ibuprofen to children or any chicken pox infected person because of the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome (a severe acquired metabolic disease associated with liver and brain dysfunction and death).
However, if you fall into one of the high-risk groups mentioned above, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral like acyclovir or immune globulin intravenous, known as IGIV, to be taken within 24 hours of chickenpox symptoms. For chicken pox home treatment for adults, valacyclovir or famiciclovir may also be prescribed.
But perhaps the best way to treat chickenpox is to never get it at all. Chickenpox vaccinations are an option for children between the age group of 12 and 18 months and again between ages 4 and 6 years. Vaccinations are available for adolescents and adults too.
Note: Pregnant women, people who currently have a serious illness, people who have before been allergic to the vaccine, people allergic to gelatin or neomycin, people with lowered immune systems and people who may have had a blood transfusion in the last five months should not receive the vaccine according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Chicken Pox Treatment at Home
1. Baking Soda
You can use baking soda for treating chicken pox as it can control the itchiness and irritation. Simply put half tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Use this solution to sponge the body of the affected person and allow the mixture to dry on the body. This will prevent the person from scratching the eruptions. This is one of the easiest chicken pox home remedies.
2. Brown Vinegar
One of the most effective remedies for treating chicken pox home treatment for adults is the use of brown vinegar. Take half cup of brown vinegar and add it to lukewarm water. You can use this water for bathing and it will relief you from skin irritations. At the same time it will also help in healing the lesions and scars better than chicken pox medication.
3. Green Peas
Green pea is another good ingredient that can use be used as a chicken pox treatment. Take a small bowl of green peas and add it to a bowl of water and boil it for a few minutes. Once the green peas are boiled, strain the water. Use this water to clean the affected body parts that has got rashes. This will give you relief from irritation and itching and will help in healing the wounds.
4. Honey
Regular application of honey over the rashes is also a good home remedy for healing the rashes and treating chickenpox. Take good quality and pure honey and coat the affected area with it. Honey will give relief from itchiness and will help to heal the chicken pox within a few days. Repeat the chicken pox natural treatment two to three times a day until the scars become invisible within three days and faster than chicken pox medicine.
5. Sandalwood Oil
You can also use sandalwood oil to treat the various symptoms of chickenpox. Take pure sandalwood oil and apply it on the rashes caused due to chicken pox. Regular application of sandalwood oil will prevent the scars from blemishing. Try to use this oil until the scars are healed properly. This is one of the useful home remedies for chickenpox.
6. Vitamin E Oil
Apart from sandalwood oil you can also try vitamin E oil due to its natural healing powers.When applied, the scars disappear quickly.
7. Neem or Oatmeal
You can add neem powder to your lukewarm bath water to provide relieve from itching and preventing of further blisters. Even frequent oatmeal baths can decrease the itching associated with chickenpox.
8. Juice Diet
A raw fruit and vegetable juice fast can be helpful. Lemon juice is especially beneficial. The person with chicken pox should follow this diet for three days. If you are suffering from chickenpox, then it is best you go on fruits and vegetables diet for a few days.
So these are some very effective home remedies for chickenpox to help you deal with it quickly and give you chicken pox relief. Since it is natural for everyone to get chickenpox, you should be well equipped with good information to deal with it. Hence share this information with your friends and folks for chicken pox treatment for adults. I am sure they will appreciate it.
Do you know any other useful chicken pox natural treatment your grandma gave you for chickenpox? If yes, please share with us in the comments below.
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