Chickenpox is a common childhood illness which most children catch at some point and which is often mild. Chickenpox is infectious from about one to two days before the rash develops, until all the blisters have fully crusted over.

Homeopathic remedies may help to ease itching and discomfort, prevent infection and scarring and speed up recovery. They are non toxic and safe for children and babies.

Rhus Tox is one of the most frequently prescribed homeopathic remedies for chickenpox. It is particularly indicated for chickenpox where the skin is hot with intense itching and burning sensations. Your child may also feel really restless, anxious and irritable. Warm baths tend to be soothing for children needing Rhus Tox.

Ant Tart can be helpful where the spots are particularly pustular, painful and itchy. Your child may also have a loose, rattling cough with shortness of breath and may be more sweaty and drowsy than usual.

Pulsatilla can be helpful for children with chickenpox who feel really miserable with it. Children needing Pulsatilla are almost always clingy and whingy when unwell and tend to feel better from being comforted and cuddled. The itching is not as intense as it is for children needing Rhux tox although the spots may itch if your child becomes warm and when they are bed.

Children needing Pulsatilla may also have thick yellow discharge from the nose and the eyes may be congested and stuck together.

Sulphur is indicated for chickenpox with intense itching and burning sensations which tend to be worse when in contact with water. The itching is generally worse when they are hot and in bed at night. Sleep can be restless and they have a tendency to stick their feet out of the bed.

This remedy is often indicated for children who are prone to skin conditions such as eczema, however, it needs to be used gently in children with severe skin conditions as, in the process of restoring balance, it can temporarily aggravate the symptoms. This doesn’t usually happen in a simple case of chickpox though.

Buying and prescribing the remedies:

I can supply these Homeopathic remedies to you directly or they are available from Helios Homeopathy. Greens Health Foods in Leigh may also stock them.

Helios

The remedy can be given three times a day in a 30c potency if the symptoms are intense until they start to subside or twice daily for milder cases.

Just pop the remedy in your child’s mouth and try to encourage them to suck it. The temptation for children is to crunch and swallow it which doesn’t matter too much but the remedies are absorbed better if sucked. Ideally give the remedies at least 15 minutes away from food or drinks (except plain water) and at least 20 minutes away from cleaning the teeth.

For babies the remedies need to be crushed or dissolved before using them.

New Era Tissue Salts:

Combination D (Kali Mur, Kali Sulph, Calc Sulph and Silica) can be used alongside the homeopathic remedies (not suitable if your child is severely lactose intolerant).

Topical help:

There are many natural remedies that can be soothing. Most of these are available from Greens Health Foods in Leigh and their friendly, knowledgeable staff will be able to help you select the right cream for your child.

Greens Health Foods

Hypercal cream/ointment is wonderfully soothing and naturally antiseptic.

Rescue remedy cream or papaya ointment may also be helpful.

Baths:

1-2 drops of lavender oil in the bath helps calm and heal the skin and can help to prevent scarring. It may also help your child to sleep. As essential oils do not mix with water you will need to dilute it in some oil first such as almond or coconut oil.

Note: It is really important that babies and children do not get concentrated lavender oil in the eye as it can damage the cornea. Also if lavender oil is applied to the skin it should always be diluted in a carrier oil.

Bicarbonate of soda per can be soothing – add 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda to the bath per inch depth of bath water*.

Infusions of chamomile tea added to the bath can help calm the skin and the mind.

References:

* Nationwide childrens.org

Davis, P; Aromatherapy An A-Z, Vermillion, 2005.

www.nhs.uk