Parents of infants often worry that their baby will pick up chickenpox, and most often they care how she will manifest herself in this case, especially if the patient is nearby. But is it necessary for the infant to become infected, and in what forms can this infection occur?
What is chickenpox?
First you need to determine what this disease is.
So, chicken pox (or simply “chickenpox") is an infectious disease that in children usually proceeds in fairly mild forms. Chickenpox in infants, adults and people with weakened immune systems can take much more complex forms.
The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, and it can take from ten days to 21 days after contacting the patient until the first symptoms appear. Moreover, a person can infect others without even knowing that he is a carrier of the infection.
The danger of infection of others begins about a couple of days before the appearance of characteristic rashes on the skin and it persists until new plaques appear on the body and old abscesses are covered with crusts.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of chickenpox are redness of the skin (up to a centimeter in diameter), and quite quickly blisters appear in these places, filled with a clear liquid. Subsequently, they transform, acquiring the appearance of dried crusts.
Chickenpox in infants begins abruptly. Its signs are as follows:
- The rise in body temperature - up to 38 degrees, sometimes even up to 40;
- General weakness in the body;
- Headaches;
- A profuse rash rapidly spreading on the surface of the skin and, typically, on the mucous membranes. This is the main symptom of chickenpox;
- The appearance on the skin of small vesicles filled with a colorless and clear liquid is accompanied by severe itching, and children usually tolerate it very poorly.
Where can there be a rash with chickenpox: inscalp, face, mouth, trunk, genitals.
The course of this disease is usually wave-like, and for this reason, rashes can appear with a frequency of up to several times.
Lightweight chickenpox
If chickenpox is mild, and it usually happens when a child is 3-6 months old, then first there are a few abscesses on the baby’s skin, and then it pours in waves with increasing temperature. Moreover, the more rashes on the body, the higher it will be. When the elements of the rash are sporadic, the temperature may be normal.
Small red spots quickly become shiny bubbles, and red rims surround each of them. After 1-3 days, the bubbles become crusty.But at the same time, new rashes are present on the skin of the baby. Often, mucous membranes also suffer - bubbles also appear on them, however, they quickly turn into superficial erosion.
The child is difficult to tolerate chickenpox due to the fact that the skin is very itchy, which deprives him of peace, sound sleep and good appetite. The baby becomes very moody and irritable, refuses to breast and tries to tear up a rash.
Mild treatment
Elements that appear on the skin should be treated with brilliant green so that they dry better. In addition, it is common for zelenka to destroy the bacterial flora, and this prevents suppuration.
In order to reduce itching, the elements of the rash are lubricated. Fenistilom (this gel is a very effective tool in the treatment of chickenpox, since the drug significantly removes allergic manifestations) But in no case do not smear this skin with all the gel at once. This preparation processes alternately individual sections, especially where the rash is greatest. And it is strictly forbidden to bathe a child during this period, since water procedures are fraught with the rapid spread of rashes on the surface of the whole body.
When a fresh rash appears, put on clothes on the baby in which the sleeves or special children's gloves are sewn - the baby should not comb itself.
Severe chickenpox
Unfortunately, the severe course of this disease is quite common. Chickenpox begins in this case with an increase in temperature.
The kid becomes too restless, constantly refuses to eat. During this period, headaches can torment him. Then the first elements of the rash appear. It often happens that many elements spill out at the same time, and even the temperature can rise up to 40 degrees. The condition of the baby improves somewhat after the first wave of rashes descends, but after a day of situations it repeats. And a few waves are waiting for the child.
Severe treatment
The main danger with chickenpox is damage to the mucous membranes. For example, if there is a rash in the larynx, then your baby may develop signs of suffocation or false croup. If this happens, immediately call an ambulance, and before the arrival of the brigade, give the child a few drops of Fenistil (according to the instructions set out in the instructions for the drug).
In the absence of temperature, you can lower the baby's legs in a bowl of hot water - this will help relieve swelling of the larynx due to the fact that blood will flow to the legs. Of course, at temperature, hot baths are strictly contraindicated.
If the doctor characterizes the condition of the baby as severe and will be inclined towards hospitalization, do not refuse.
Chickenpox in infants is provoked by viruses belonging to the group of herpes viruses. Such viruses have a fairly high degree of susceptibility. The percentage of cases among people in contact with the patient and not having had chickenpox before is 80 percent. Chicken pox is a typical childhood illness.
Good day! Please help, tell me how to treat chickenpox in a newborn baby (1 month)? Can I bathe? Thank you in advance!