stuck in

[Ruth]

am now stuck inside as our 4 -year old and Cate both have the dreaded chicken pox. My elder one is just lolling around the sofa watching cbeebies moaning about missing school...Cate is v.v.v.v.miserable...has refused to eat anything for the past 36 hours...I spoke to the dr who recommended giving her ice-cream incase she has spots in her throat...I asked which dairy, soya and egg free ice-cream that would be.....

[Nic]

There is a non-dairy, oat-based ice-cream which has no soya in it. It may not be gettable near you, but perhaps your local independent health food shop could order it in? Might be in time for the convalescent stage, if nothing else!

You do have my sympathy - chicken pox is miserable. Not very itchy (compared to eczema) but it does make you feel all-over grotty.

Nic

[linny]

So sorry to hear your child is so poorly. My GP always said that lemonade is good (flat is poss) as it gets some sugar into them, or lucozade I suppose. My daughter suffered a lot with tonsilitis, and she's had the dreaded chicken pox. At least if they get a good dose of it they won't catch it again. My neighbour's boy has had it about 4 times now - but only about 20 spots each time.

Hope she picks up soon.

[ellsie]

Poor wee things. Bicarbonate of soda in the bath to take the itch out of the spots! Hope they scab over soon.;)

[linny]

There was a debate when my daughter had chicken pox. Dr said don't wet them until they were dry scabs, others say bath with bicarb!!!????? We got calamine lotion cream which is less messy than the original lotion, some Drs give anti-histamines to reduce the itch too.??

[cnc]

Give her lots of liquids, preferably ones with sugar and calories in them. Not nutritionally very good, but will be better than nothing.
How about pureeing fruit/ smoothies. Sorry can't remember how old Cate was, but just trying to find things, that are of a similar consistency or thinner that might be useful. Hope she gets better soon.
I had chickenpox as a kid but was far to young to remember having them- apparently I got them from my elder brother, my Mum had to look after 3 of us- my Dad had never had chicken pox as a kid, and got them when he was in his early-mid 30s!!

[rebecca c]

I hope Cate gets better soon. Know what you mean about being stuck indoors.

I would do everything everyone else suggested, I found the bicarb in the bath especially good.

Also avoid her having contact with anyone who is pregnant as it is a risk factor. Although I think most people had chicken pox as a child - I had it 3 times!!

[Ruth]

have got them all asleep after being calamined, piritoned and calpold (I'm sure they're all real verbs....)...Cate ended her "hunger strike" by sneaking a cheese sandwich left hanging around by an older sibling...so I'm looking forward to a good night...don't even want to consider the number of "banned" substances in that mouthful!

[matt]

you've got my sympathy hope they are feeling better soon.

[Pam]

Hopefully the piriton will help prevent some of the reactions to the cheese sandwich.

Piriton is wonderful stuff - it sends me to sleep never mind the kids.

Give them a day or two and they'll be back on form again.

PS. The oat ice cream is called oat supreme or first glace and comes in tubs of ice cream or magnum type lollies. I've only ever seen it in health food shops. I think Goodness Foods Direct do it by mail order (you pay a little extra for a freezer box).

[Copper]

I hope they feel better soon. There is nothing worse than being stuck indoors with poorly miserable children.