Chickenpox is a viral disease. The infectious pathogen is concentrated in the space surrounding the person and is carried by air currents. Hence the name of the disease. With this in mind, it’s easy to guess that it’s almost impossible to protect yourself from contact with the virus.
How to treat chickenpox? What are the signs of a disease? What complications may arise in the context of the fight against infection? You can find answers to these and other questions by reading our publication.
Symptoms in adults and children
The main sign of the development of the disease in the baby is the formation on the body of numerous foci of a very itchy rash of a bright red color. The indicated manifestations are externally very similar to traces of insect bites. As a rule, such neoplasms first cover the head and face. Then they are transferred to the chest, back, limbs. If parents do not know how to treat chickenpox in children correctly, papules can spread to the mouth.
Over time, the rash transforms into textured vesicles filled with a clear liquid. The latter are torn and turn into painful wounds that continue to itch strongly. However, no matter how much the manifestations of chickenpox itch, it is not recommended to touch them. After all, this can significantly delay the treatment and cause many complications.
Adults suffer from slightly different symptoms compared to babies. With the development of the disease, the body is also covered with eternally itchy, painful papules. However, people in adulthood suffer an illness much more difficult. Since the formed immune system reacts rather strictly to the presence of a viral infection in the body. In adults, the discomfort associated with the appearance of a rash is usually supplemented by a high body temperature, a feeling of general weakness, migraine attacks, and the urge to vomit. These symptoms are a sign of severe intoxication. Lymph nodes also suffer, which increase in volume, harden and become painful.
Probable complications
In some cases, the consequence of the course of the disease is quite serious complications. Among those, it is worth noting the following:
- Chickenpox pneumonia is often observed in individuals whose immune system functions with serious impairments. Sometimes pathology is observed among pregnant women who have caught a viral infection.
- Joint inflammation - usually the nuisance is naturally eliminated as soon as new foci of the rash cease to occur.
- Visual impairment - a complication may occur if a viral infection affects tissues in the cornea. You need to start worrying about the likelihood of such an outcome if the papules get to the skin near the eyelids. In such cases, the rash may spread to the whites of the eyes.
- Encephalitis, meningitis, damage to nerve tissue - similar manifestations are observed when a viral infection reaches the meninges. This happens extremely rarely, because the main organ of the human body is reliably protected by the immune system. If this happens, a person begins to suffer from the development of convulsive states, impaired coordination, periodic loss of consciousness.
- Laryngitis, tracheitis - diseases are manifested against the background of the development of infection in the oral cavity. Signs of such complications are severe sore throat and regular coughing attacks.
- Vulvitis, inflammation of the foreskin - such manifestations are noted in cases where the foci of the rash are transferred to the genital area.
First aid for chickenpox
The primary solution in case of virus infection is the treatment of papules with a solution of brilliant green. Contrary to popular belief, such actions do not have any therapeutic effect. Lubricating the rash with brilliant green only makes it possible to dull the sensation of itching.
There is another reason for treating foci of infection with a substance. The fact is that an infected person ceases to pose a danger to others by passing a certain time until new papules form on the body. How to determine that the rash has ceased to spread on the skin? Actually, for this, the affected areas are lubricated with a solution of brilliant green. Thus, the next morning, a new rash can be identified that will not be stained with the substance.
How to treat chickenpox in the throat?
In rare cases, the causative agent of the disease can affect the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Small sores are concentrated here. The appearance of such neoplasms makes one feel considerable discomfort.
How to treat chickenpox in the mouth? A good result is the use of proven folk recipes. An effective solution is the treatment of problem areas with a tincture prepared on the basis of parsley, sea buckthorn oil and chamomile. You can also rinse your mouth with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and salt water.
In order to eliminate the feeling of severe itching, traditional healers advise applying ice cubes to the wounds. Cold lotions based on a decoction of a string, bitter wormwood and yarrow will alleviate suffering. To minimize discomfort, eating soft, well-shredded foods such as bananas, liquid soups, and cereals is recommended.
Acyclovir
How to treat chickenpox in adults, which occurs in severe form? In this case, doctors recommend resorting to the use of the drug “Acyclovir”. Offering a remedy to children does not make much sense. Indeed, in babies, the spread of infection in the body does not have serious consequences and does not give numerous complications.
How to treat chickenpox with “Acyclovir”? First of all, you must strictly observe the dosage specified in the instructions. To fix the problem, it is enough to use the tool in the form of tablets. However, if the infection recedes extremely slowly, you need to resort to injections of the drug. The duration of therapy should be at least 5 days.
Zirtek
The drug has an antihistamine character. The medicine does not allow to destroy the viral infection. However, it makes it possible to remove the feeling of severe itching and eliminate intoxication of the body. In order to quickly improve overall well-being, it is enough for an adult to take Zirtek daily in an amount of not more than 10 mg. As a rule, the indicated amount corresponds to one tablet. Children need to reduce the dosage to 2.5 mg.
Viferon
How to treat chickenpox in children? A good option is the pharmacological tool "Viferon", which is available in the form of candles. Immediately it should be noted that on adults and adolescents taking the drug will have practically no effect.
The main active ingredient in the composition of the drug is interferon. This complex protein compound helps maintain immunity, as it makes it possible to combat the penetration of foreign viral agents into the body. Thanks to the use of Viferon, body cells become less susceptible to attacks of the pathogen.
Anaferon
How to quickly treat chickenpox? One of the best options is the use of the drug Anaferon. The tool is suitable for eliminating infection in the body of people of various ages. The medicine has a homeopathic nature. The drug effectively copes with the destruction of viruses. It is recommended to resort to the use of such a potent remedy in case of complications, in particular, enlarged lymph nodes.
Baneocin
The medicine is available in the form of an ointment. The active substances in the composition of the product do not have a destructive effect on the causative agent of a viral infection. However, the components of the drug effectively destroy the pathogenic bacteria that spread in the places of suppuration of the rash. Such a solution will relieve the discomfort of the child, who constantly combes the papules.
Infagel
How to treat chickenpox? An excellent local remedy is Infagel ointment. The drug contains interferon, which has a devastating effect on the protein structures of a viral infection. It is used to lubricate areas of the body affected by rash. It looks like an effective therapeutic solution in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults. Typically, abundant foci of the rash begin to disappear from the body already on the 3-4th day after the first application of the ointment.
Blueberries
How to treat chickenpox at home for an adult? Surprisingly, eating common blueberries allows you to quickly fix the problem. It has been proven that plant berries contain an abundance of substances that have a depressing effect on the activity of viruses. Thus, eating blueberries becomes an excellent complement to the treatment of chickenpox.
Chamomile
How to treat chickenpox in children other than brilliant green? Perfectly eliminates the sensation of itch daisy. The plant is rich in substances that have a calming and disinfecting effect on tissues. Treatment involves taking baths based on a decoction of medicinal herbs.
To prepare the product, take a few tablespoons of dry collection of chamomile. Raw materials are poured with water in the amount of one liter. The composition is brought to a boil. The broth is allowed to infuse well, after which it is carefully filtered through gauze. The resulting liquid is poured into a bath, which is sufficient to take once a day. Naturally, during the procedure, do not touch the chicken papules with your hands or strip off the rashes.
Oak bark
What else to treat chickenpox, except for green stuff? The use of oak bark will alleviate suffering. The crushed raw materials are poured with water, the liquid is brought to a boil and insisted for 10-15 minutes. Then the broth is allowed to cool to room temperature, after which it is filtered. The tool is taken orally, spending 2 teaspoons of the composition in a glass of water. This solution allows not only to remove the sensation of itching, but also to slow the spread of the rash.
Chicory
When a chickenpox virus infection attacks the body, the immune system needs support. An excellent tonic effect is distinguished by chicory root. To speed up the treatment of the disease, it is enough to take a decoction prepared on the basis of the following recipe. About 5-6 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiled water. The drug is insisted during the day. In order to strengthen the protective properties of the body with chickenpox, the composition is periodically taken in a teaspoon at a time.
Celery
If chickenpox develops rapidly, how to treat at home? A good option is celery juice. The plant contains active substances that slow down the activity of organisms of a viral nature. Among other things, celery is rich in ascorbic acid. In order to fight the infection and strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to use a tablespoon of the plant juice 3 times a day shortly before meals. The course of treatment must be continued until the foci of the rash begin to disappear.
Oats
How to treat chickenpox with oats? For these purposes, it is necessary to prepare a healing infusion. A tablespoon of raw material is poured with boiling water. The tool is given a good brew. The composition is carefully filtered. The resulting liquid is consumed 3 times a day, one teaspoon. The use of the drug is a good solution to eliminate intoxication of the body.
Prevention
The obvious preventive action that allows you to avoid damage to the body by chickenpox is the restriction of the contact of a healthy person with a virus carrier. However, this option absolutely does not guarantee the absence of familiarity with the infection in the future.
It is much more effective to give the child the appropriate vaccination. The solution has long been practiced in Western countries. However, many parents in our country consider such actions dangerous for the baby. As practice shows, the lack of vaccination in childhood often makes people struggle with the serious consequences of the disease in adulthood.