chicken pox in toddlers | hints and tips

The dreaded two words…Chicken Pox!! A month or so ago they hit our house! My little lady who is 2 years old picked them up. They had been going around her nursery for three weeks; we thought she had escaped them (we felt pretty smug about it). Then we got the dreaded phone call from nursery saying she had a couple of spots.

It was Sods law she came out in them two days before we were meant to be going on a surprise trip to Amsterdam for daddy’s birthday (why does this always happen?) Anyway the holiday was cancelled, and I spent the next several days giving my poorly lady lots of cuddles and love.
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Those blister like spots just scream evil, don’t’ they? I felt so sorry for her. Everyone says it is best to get them young, as they are less irritated by them and forget having them. This was the only positive really. Having not looked after anyone with Chicken Pox before I had no idea what to do/expect, so I have put together some suggestions which I hope help others: (these are all my own ideas, I am not medically trained). 

• LOSE CLOTHING…I recommend putting them in lose clothing so that their skin can breath, and the spots are not irritated, or pulled off etc.
• CALPOL… If your little one has a fever with the Chicken Pox you can give them Paracetamol (Calpol). It is advised not to give them Ibuprofen as it can cause skin reactions.  
• STAY AT HOME… It is advised to stay at home to prevent the infection from spreading.
• HYDRATED… Keep your little one hydrated. If they have lost their appetite ensure they have lots to drink.
• TRY TO STOP THEM SCRATCHING – Chicken Pox can be incredibly itchy, but it is important for children to not scratch the spots, to avoid future scarring. To help prevent this cut their finger nails, put socks over their hands at night, or use Calamine Lotion to sooth the itching.
• TLC – Your little ones will feel very sorry for themselves (as would you!) so lots of cuddles, love and reassurance will be required.

I absolutely hated seeing my little lady in such discomfort. I wanted to take it all away. I do however think it is better they get them when they are so little, as it is out of the way! I hope my tips help, if you have any more tips please pop them in the comments. Thanks for reading K X