How to treat chicken pox, from taking medication to home remedies

Chickenpox is a skin disease caused by a viral infection that causes itchy watery resilience all over the body. This disease is very easily transmitted to other people who have never been exposed to it. So therefore, treatment must be started immediately before the symptoms of chickenpox get worse. Here is how to deal with and treat chickenpox at home so that it can get better quickly.

How to treat chicken pox as recommended by a doctor

Chickenpox disease can gradually heal by itself. However, that doesn't mean you don't need treatment at all. Treating chickenpox still needs to be done as a way to avoid the risk of complications. Chickenpox treatment is needed as soon as possible, especially in:

• People who show serious symptoms, such as high fever and chickenpox resilience which almost covers all parts of the body's skin.
• People with weak immunity, including young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
• People who have a disease that attacks the immune system, such as HIV.
• People who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Here are the recommended ways doctors treat chickenpox:

1. Take fever-reducing drugs and itching relievers

If the fever persists for more than four days with a temperature above 38.8 ° C, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will give you a non-aspirin pain reliever, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever and other pain symptoms.

However, do not give ibuprofen as a way to treat chickenpox in children. Giving ibuprofen has the risk of causing Reye's syndrome, which is a disease that attacks the liver and brain with a high risk of death.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that parents not give their children ibuprofen, as it has been linked to an increased risk of life-threatening bacterial skin infections.

Meanwhile, to get rid of chickenpox itching, a doctor may recommend an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Usually this drug is available in the form of a topical cream or oral medicine.

2. Take antiviral drugs

In some cases, doctors usually prescribe the antiviral acyclovir (Zovirax, Sitavig) to treat chickenpox by shortening the period of viral infection. This medication is usually prescribed after 24-48 hours of the appearance of a red rash on the skin surface.

Other antiviral drugs such as valacyclovir and famciclovir can also reduce the severity of the disease. However, it has not been proven to be effective in curing chickenpox for everyone.

3. Infusion of immunoglobulin drugs in the hospital

If your condition requires hospitalization, your doctor will usually give you the Privigen immunoglobulin intravenously. This method of treating chickenpox through the infusion is intended for people who have a weak immune system.

Immunoglobulin drugs function to increase the body's resistance to be able to fight ongoing viral infections.

Just like antivirals, how to treat chickenpox with immunoglobulin drugs needs to be done within 24 hours of the first red rash appearing.

How to deal with chicken pox with home remedies

Along with medical treatment, there are several ways you can also do it at home to help deal with the symptoms of chickenpox.

Home care can also prevent complications caused by bacterial skin infections.

Here are some ways from the CDC recommendations that can be applied to treat chickenpox at home.

1. Use calamine lotion regularly

Applying calamine lotion regularly can be a way to deal with the itching caused by chickenpox. This lotion contains zinc dioxide which can soothe the skin during chickenpox.

The way to treat chickenpox with losison is to apply it using your fingers or a cotton ball to the itchy skin area. However, do not apply this lotion around the eyes as it can cause a sore sensation.

You are advised to first cut your nails and stop scratching so that the skin does not get irritated due to scratching.

2. Wear socks and gloves

It is very difficult to resist the urge to scratch the skin that gets smallpox. The reason is, the itching is sometimes unbearable and very torturous. In a conscious state you may still be able to endure it, but while sleeping is of course difficult.

While sleeping you can unconsciously scratch it. As a result, the next morning your blisters may have broken and actually infected other parts of the skin. To prevent this, wear soft socks and gloves while sleeping.

Especially in children, gloves really help prevent your little one from scratching the area of ​​smallpox. Don't forget, cut your little one's nails so that the nails don't injure the skin when accidentally scratched.

3. Take an oatmeal bath

Oatmeal is not only delicious to eat, it can also help soothe and relieve itching when you have chickenpox. You can make your own oatmeal bath to treat chicken pox by:

• Take a cup of plain oatmeal.
• Grind the oatmeal so that the texture turns into a powder.
• Place the ground oatmeal in the bath to soak.
• Soak for about 20 minutes in it.
• Rinse with clean water.

4. Take a bath with baking soda

Bakin soda is often used to make cakes. However, bathing with baking soda can also be an effective way to treat chicken pox. This kitchen ingredient has anti-itching and anti-inflammatory properties.

You can add a teaspoon of baking soda to a bath filled with warm water. Then, soak for about 15-20 minutes in it.

If you don't want to soak, you can wipe or compress the itchy skin with baking soda.

Use a towel or soft cloth and then wet it with water that has been mixed with baking soda. Baking soda helps neutralize the acids present in the skin and reduces irritation.

5. Compress the itchy skin with tea

Chamomile tea can actually help soothe an itchy area of ​​smallpox. Chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects when applied directly to the skin.

To apply the method of treating chicken pox with chamomile tea, you first need to brew two to three tea bags.

Then, dip a cotton swab or soft cloth in the tea and place it over the itchy skin. Gently pat so that the tea water is absorbed perfectly into the skin.