Chicken pox? this is what parents should do

Chickenpox is a disease that is more common in children. This disease is caused because the child's body is infected with the varicella zoster virus. Although there is no specific medicine to cure chickenpox, vigorous treatment can help relieve symptoms when a child has chickenpox. That is why, if your little one has chicken pox, don't panic. Check out the tips for caring for children who have chickenpox below

1. Provide fever medicine as well as pain relievers

In addition to causing bumps that are filled with fluid (resilient), chicken pox generally also causes symptoms of high fever and pain throughout the body. Now, to relieve this condition you can take acetaminophen (paracetamol) or antihistamine drugs.

Paracetamol is safe for most people to take, including pregnant women and children over two months of age. This medicine is also available in the form of a syrup that can be used for your babies and children under two years of age. However, before giving the drug to a child, you must first consult a doctor to determine the right dose according to your little one's needs.

Do not give ibuprofen to a child while he is sick with chickenpox because it is feared that it could put him at risk of side effects from severe step infection. Also, don't give aspirin to children under the age of 16. The reason is, this drug can cause serious complications called Reye's syndrome.

2. How to prevent itching and scratching

The itching feeling that appears on the skin during smallpox is unbearable. For children, this is a tough trial. The reason is, children find it difficult to control themselves so as not to scratch the smallpox spots on their skin. Scratching chickenpox spots will cause skin infections and scars that form after the spots heal.

Therefore, to prevent bacterial infection, there are several things you can like:

• Clipping your child's nails.
• Don't let your child scratch and scrape the pox rash, especially on the face.
• Meanwhile, for babies who cannot control themselves, you should be able to wear baby gloves.
• Wear loose and soft clothing so that the child's skin can breathe and is not easily scratched.
• Use calamine lotion, moisturizing cream, cooling gel, or an antihistamine medication called chlorpheniramine to help reduce itching and soothe the skin.
• Take a shower with lukewarm or cold water. To protect the pox rash from breaking, do not rub it with a towel while drying yourself. Gently pat yourself dry until the water is dry.

3. Pay attention to food intake

Chickenpox hives in children can also be found in the mouth and throat. The burning sensation and discomfort caused by the red rash will also make it difficult for the child to eat. Even so, make sure you meet your child's fluid needs by drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration. If you have babies who are actively breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed them regularly.

Water is better than sugary, fizzy, or acidic drinks. Sipping ice cubes can also be used to soothe the mouth and throat of children who are sick from chickenpox.

Avoid giving children foods that have a strong, salty, sour, or spicy taste because they can make the mouth hurt. Foods that are soft, smooth, and cold (such as soup, fat-free ice cream, pudding, jelly, mashed potatoes, and puree) can be the best choice when the child has chickenpox.

4. Do not let the child leave the house until healed

Remember, smallpox is an infection that can spread quickly. So, to avoid contagion, keep your child at home for at least a week or until the smallpox spots dry up and become scabs. This is done so that children do not transmit smallpox to their friends at school or in their play environment.

5. Prevent transmission at home

So that your child's smallpox does not spread to family members at home - especially those who have not had smallpox, there are several things you can do to prevent transmission, namely:

• Always use a mask when interacting with children.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after contact with children.
• Temporarily do not share personal items (towels, clothes, or combs) and sleep in the same room as a child who has smallpox.
• Keep children's clothes or sheets separate when washing.
• Immediately wipe objects or surfaces that come in direct contact with the child using an antiseptic solution.

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