Homeopathy for Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a very infectious viral disease spread by droplets from the nose, mouth or rash of an infected child or from an adult with shingles. It is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch. Chickenpox is most common in children under the age of 10. Nine out of 10 adults are immune because they had chickenpox during childhood. People usually catch chickenpox in winter and spring, particularly between March and May.
Chickenpox has a sudden onset with fever, runny nose, cough and a generalised rash. The spotty rash starts with fluid filled blisters which then scab over and eventually drop off. Some people have only a few spots, but other people can have spots that cover their entire body. In most people, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within one to 2 weeks. If the spots are confined to the hands feet and mouth then it is likely to be hand, foot and mouth disease rather than chickenpox.
The incubation period is 13-17 days from contact with an infected person. The first stage is a low fever and feeling generally unwell; this usually lasts for 24 hours. The second stage is the eruption of the rash and a temporary increase in fever. The third stage is decrease of fever and a gradual healing of spots, which takes 6-10 days. A child remains infectious until all the spots have healed.
Homeopath’s see the childhood diseases (chickenpox, measles, mumps, etc) as extremely important in helping to throw off inherited disease patterns and for this reason the illness should not be suppressed with allopathic medication or vaccination. It is highly likely that after a bout of chickenpox the child patient will put on a growth spurt or make a developmental advance.
Useful Homeopathic Remedies
Aconite and Ferrum Phos tissue salt
For the fever in the early stages when the child is hot and thirsty, restless and anxious.
Belladonna
For a high fever with a headache that makes sleeping difficult. The eyes are bright and the face flushed. The spots may be very red.
Antimonium Crud.
Only indicated if the spots are thick and crusted and look honey-coloured with a blueish tinge to the surrounding skin. The child will not want to be touched or looked at and their tongue will be coated white.
Antimonium Tart
This one of the main remedies used for chickenpox. It is indicated when large blisters develop and the child is irritable and whines and doesn’t want to be left alone. There may also be a chesty rattling cough. There are cases where the child is weak and has cold symptoms with lots of mucus and no spots because the immune system is compromised – this remedy helps to bring out the eruptions.
Rhus Tox
For a rash with very intensely itchy spots and when the child is very restless. The skin is hot and dry and the glands below the surface of the clusters might be swollen. The child may complain of aching in the muscles of joints. This is the most commonly used remedy for chickenpox.
Nat Mur Tissue Salts
Helpful to give after the initial fever has gone to prevent the virus migrating to never tissue in the spine and lie dormant there. Give one dose twice daily for 10 days.
Pulsatilla
For a rash with fever when the child is very clingy and tearful. No thirst in spite of high temperature. The sky may be dry and the rash widespread with irregularly distributed spots.
Sulphur
For a red rash with fever where the child is very hungry and thirsty but refuses to eat. There is general heat in the body and a lack of energy. Can be useful when other remedies don’t work or to complete the recovery after the spots and mucus have gone.
Mercurius
For when the temperature comes down and spots begin to heal but become infected. Indicated when the spots exude yellow or green matter. There is usually unpleasant sweating, copious saliva, foul breath and swings of temperature from hot to cold.
Self Help
- Do not use calamine lotion – it’s better to leave spots uncovered.
- You can get homeopathic ‘scar cream’ to use on any spots that form scars – see Miranda’s Castro website or Helios Pharmacy in the UK.
- Avoid calpol or paracetamol/tylenol – these drugs delay the natural healing process by interfering with the body chemistry.
- Add baking soda (4 teaspoons to 2.25 litres of water) and lavender or oatmeal to a bath to soothe the itchiness.