First Magazine SCFCA OCTO-1 | Page 24

Treatment is about controlling the itching from the rash and other symptoms related to the viral illness . There are many medications and creams that you can buy from your local pharmacy to help with the itching . Chickenpox are a virus and it cannot be treated with antibiotics .

And now the question is what to eat when one fell sick . The children can be given sips of drinks , jellies ; water based frozen snacks , soups and other fluids often . Cold drinks and soft bland foods can help , but avoid anything that is too salty and acidic . This helps to prevent dehydration and controls the fever . It ’ s usual that they reduce appetite , but make sure that children have enough fluids so that he / she is able to pass urine atleast 4 times in a day . Using of a separate towel is well advised .

The scratching can be reduced by cutting the child ’ s nails short and persuading them to wear cotton gloves . Ifit is too uncontrollable , consult a doctor .

It is infectious until all the blisters have formed scabs ( usually about 7 days ). It is highly recommended that children with chickenpox should not go to school / nursery until the last blister has dried . The spots , and the n blisters can develop in several phases , so check the child all over to before sending him / her to school .

Some members need to stay away from the child during this infectious stage . These include people on chemotherapy or long term oral steroid , newborn babies , pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before . Most people cannot get the disease if they already had it .

Friends of Scientifica , October 2016