[JennInSeattle]

Can anyone tell me what to expect? I see 7 currently and he's 22 months old. Some have clear fluid at the top of them in a neat little bubble so I'm pretty sure about this. I had them when I was about 7 or 8.

Again, what can I expect from his behavior and what can I do?

And the length of this? Also how long before I can take him out in public again?

 

[caligirl]

I believe you have to wait until they all scab to go out in public.

I used to work in a pediatric office and the docs always made the kids wear a mask if they came in (sometimes the fevers got high, or the "pox" got a secondary bacterial infection, or sometimes the parents just wanted a comformation.) because the virus is airborn and highly contagios, especially to the elderly and those with supressed immune systems, so don't take him out. It may be a while, like 10 days until they scab...

your child may get a fever, that's pretty much par for the course. And be irritable from the itchiness. You can treat the fever w/ Tylenol and we used to always reccommend Aveeno oatmel bath for itchies. Personally, when I had them I literally had like a thousand and my parents had to hose me down with Solarcaine so I could sleep.

Good luck! and don't let him scratch or they'll scar!

 

[JennInSeattle]

Geez! Thanks for responding! I'll have to get Dan to pick up some Aveeno.. he's got about 25 (up from 7 last night) as of this morning. I'll keep watching him. Thanks again!

 

[christiab]

I just had the pox in Feb, so I remember what worked pretty well. Tea tree oil worked well at bedtime to keep the itching down. I also bought the Caladryl lotion. It worked OK, but TTO was better. I used it during the day, when I didn't want to reek of TTO.

As far as being contagious, you're contagious from 2 days BEFORE spots show up. I didn't know what I had and exposed an entire class of kindergartners when I had 1-2 spots. No one got sick. Neither did my unvaxed 10 month old, who was around me 24/7. I wouldn't completely cut myself off from the world if the kids feel ok. Just take reasonable steps, ie no playgroups (unless it's a pox party!)

 

[mamaofthreeboys]

Oh no Jenn

Hang in there

Guess we'll be prolonging our playdate for awhile huh :LOL

At least Nathan will have them out of the way & not remember a thing right

 

[shelbean91]

Cheaper than Aveeno is regular oatmeal (like you'd cook and eat) in a pantyhose in the bath. This was recommended to me by the pharmacist and worked like a dream. He also recommended the skin spray 'dermoplast' for numbing- we didn't see that helping too much, but caladryl clear was great. Popsicles for fever worked wonders, too.

And you're contagious until all the spots have scabbed over. We had a pox party and as far as I know, almost everyone who intended to get them got them (except Christia who posted above intended her ds to get them and she got them instead!!)

 

[Pandora114]

Tape socks/mittens to his hands to stop him from scratching at night.

Sounds mean yes, but it'll keep him from scratching his skin clear off.

 

[JennInSeattle]

Geez

Thanks for the tips Michelle - I'll go look for a pair of panty hose! I just gave him a bath in baking soda.. he seems fine for the most part which is a blessing.

And yes, Kimberly the zoo will come soon?

I can't wait to go with you!

And I'll watch for all of them to scab.. I feel so house bound! ROFL!