Chicken Pox & Homeopathic Treatment

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rhus tox is just one of many remedies that might

fit the individual symptom picture of your child

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http://www.gnc.com/wellness/natpharm/Homeo/Chicken_Pox_hm.htm

Homeopathic Remedies for Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a common childhood viral illness. Many cases are mild;

however, those that are uncomfortable can often be helped with homeopathy.

Fatigue and low fever typically begin ten days to three weeks from the time

of exposure. A flat red rash comes out, transforms into pimples, then

develops into blisters that eventually break and harden into itchy crusts.

If fever is very high and persistent, or if a person seems to be extremely

ill, it is best to consult a physician.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this

section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is

Homeopathy?

Antimonium tartaricum: This remedy may be indicated when eruptions are

large and slow to emerge. The child feels sweaty, fussy, and may be

nauseous with a white-coated tongue. If chest congestion with a rattling

cough develops, or a bubbly sound on breathing, Antimonium tart is likely

to be the appropriate remedy.

Antimonium crudum: A child who needs this remedy usually is irritable and

may object to being touched or looked at. The eruptions are sore, and

touching them may bring on shooting pains.

Apis mellifica: When this remedy is indicated, the skin around the

eruptions is pink and puffy and very itchy, with stinging pains. The

eyelids may also be swollen. The person feels worse from warmth, is

irritable, and usually is not thirsty.

Belladonna: This remedy is indicated when a child is hot and feverish, with

a red flushed face, and eyes that are sensitive to light. A pounding

headache may be felt, accompanied by either restlessness or drowsiness. The

rash usually is red, with a feeling of heat and throbbing.

Bryonia: When fever persists for several days during chicken pox, and a dry

nagging cough develops, this remedy may be useful. The person’s mouth is

dry, with thirst for long cold drinks. The person may be very grumpy, feel

worse from motion, and dislike being interfered with in any way.

Mercurius solubilis: This remedy may be indicated if eruptions are large

and become infected. The child is very sensitive to temperature changes and

feels worse at night. Perspiration and drooling during sleep, swollen lymph

nodes, and offensive breath are strong indications for Mercurius.

Pulsatilla: A child who needs this remedy is often sweet and tearful when

ill and wants a lot of attention and comforting. Itching and other

discomforts are worse from warmth and in stuffy rooms, and improved by cool

fresh air. The person is rarely thirsty, even during fever.

Rhus toxicodendron: This remedy is useful in cases of chicken pox with

tremendous itching that is worse from scratching and relieved by warm baths

or applying heat. The child may be very restless, both physically and

mentally. The eyes may become inflamed and sticky. Muscles can ache and

feel very stiff, also relieved by warmth and gentle motion. (Some

homeopathic physicians recommend Rhus tox to people who have been exposed

to chicken pox, to help prevent infection.)

Sulphur: If itching is so severe that the person finds it impossible to

keep from scratching—or if eruptions have a nagging, burning pain—this

remedy may bring relief. The symptoms (and the person) become worse from

warmth and aggravated after bathing. Both heat and chills are felt during

fever. The person may feel drowsy in the afternoon and restless and hot at

night.

Urtica urens: Eruptions with stinging, burning pain and itching may be

relieved by this remedy. Symptoms are aggravated by exertion and from

overheating.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions ­­­

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions

where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a

physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used.

In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take

one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait

and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly

stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the

condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several

times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and

in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a

different remedy.

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http://www.homeopathic.com/ailments/new/Chickpox.htm

A Homeopathic Perspective on Chickenpox

©1992, Dana Ullman, M.P.H.

(Excepted from Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants, Tarcher/Putnam)

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REMEDIES LISTED IN CAPITOL LETTERS REPRESENT MORE FREQUENTLY INDICATED

REMEDIES

ACONITUM: This remedy should be considered at the initial stages of

chickenpox when there is fever, restlessness, and increased thirst.

Antimonium crud: Most characteristic of these children is their

white-coated tongue and their irritable disposition. Other indications for

this remedy are when children have pimples and pustules which itch,

especially after a bath or exposure to water, in the evening, and from the

heat of the bed. The children tend to experience a prickly heat which is

aggravated by exercise and warmth.

Apis: Children who have itching and stinging pox that is worse from heat

and in warm rooms and better from cold and in cool rooms should be given

this remedy. Belladonna: Chickenpox with severe headache, flushed face, hot

skin, and drowsiness with the inability to sleep well should be treated

with this medicine.

RHUS TOX: This is the most common remedy for chickenpox. These children

experience intense itching, especially at night and from scratching. They

are very restless.

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(site from India)

COMBATING CHIKEN POX Chicken pox is a highly contagious rash illness. It’s

caused by the Varicella-zoster virus [VZV] and usually strikes in childhood.

Incidence - Chickenpox is a common, highly contagious illness. Over 90% of

cases occur in children less than 12 years of age.

Around 10 per cent of the population over the age of 15 is susceptible to

the disease. Most urban children are infected with chicken pox before

puberty.

Transmission - The disease is acquired by inhalation of virus, containing

particles from the nasopharynx of an infected individual.

These cause an initial infection in the respiratory epithelium. Skin

vesicles contain the virus, but are not the primary source. Scabs are not

infectious. Patients are contagious from 2 days before onset of the rash

until all lesions have crusted.

Season - The virus is endemic, but becomes epidemic during the late winter

and spring.

Immunity - Lasting immunity follows recovery. Second attacks are rare even

in the immuno-compromised.

Incubation period - The incubation period is 14 to 17 days.

THE SIGNS OF CHICKEN POX

The following symptoms will occur 10-21 days after exposure to chicken pox.

Signs of chicken pox appear in the following order:

Mild low grade fever with cold-like symptoms

Rash, mostly on trunk or covered areas of the body.

Fluid-filled blisters (vesicles)

Crusts / scabs

The patient also complains of the following -

Runny nose, slight cough

Decrease in appetite

Headache

Tired, rundown feeling

These symptoms usually occur 24-48 hours before the spots appear on the body.

The spots first appear on the chest, back, or face, and eventually are seen

over the entire body. The spots may occur in the mouth as white ulcers, and

as ulcers in the ears and eyes.

HOW TO PREVENT CHICKEN POX

Exclude infected person from school or day care for 5 days after the first

vesicles appear.

Practice good hand washing: the virus spreads by direct contact with the

fluid in the blisters, as well as infected secretions from nose and mouth.

Cover mouth when coughing and dispose of tissue promptly.

Wash bed linens and recently worn clothes in hot, soapy water.

Avoid exposing pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, or immuno-compromised

persons.

HOW TO MANAGE CHICKEN POX

Give one or more lukewarm baths daily. Add one tablespoon baking soda to

each bath to relieve itching.

Keep fingernails short to prevent scratching.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS

Chickenpox poses serious problems in pregnancy, especially when infection

occurs early in the pregnancy or at the time of delivery. Infection early

in pregnancy can lead to several types of fetal abnormalities, including

limb abnormalities, scarring of internal organs and neurological damage.

The most common complication is bacterial skin infection.

Scarring occurs frequently. Round, deep, punched-out scars, " pock marks, "

are a disfiguring complication. These disfiguring scars are permanent, but

do show some improvement with time

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHICKEN POX

Chicken pox is spread by direct contact or breathing in from nose and

throat secretions.

Crusting occurs in 5 to 10 days after breakout. Crusts do not contain the

virus.

Children are not to go to school for at least 7 days - until all sores are

crusted.

Let scabs fall off by themselves.

STAGES OF CHICKEN POX

The prodromal symptoms in children are absent or low-grade. Older children

and adults experience fever (1 to 6 days), headache, backache, and sore

throat.

The fever varies from 101º F to 105º F and returns to normal when the

vesicles have disappeared.

Moderate to intense itching is present during the vesicular stage.

The lesion starts as a 2 mm to 4 mm red papule, which develops an irregular

outline (rose petal) as a thin walled clear vesicle appears on the surface.

This lesion, " dew drop on a rose petal, " is highly characteristic.

The vesicle becomes centrally depressed and cloudy, has an irregular

border, and breaks in 8 to 12 hours.

The lesion dries to form a crust as the red base disappears. Secondary

infection or excoriation extends the process into the dermis, producing a

crater-like scar.

During homeopathic treatment, one of the following drugs is administered

based on right indications.

COMMONLY INDICATED DRUGS

ANTIM CRUD, PULS, SULPH, Antim tart, Bell, Carbo veg, Ledum, Merc, Rhus

tox, Sepia, Thuja, Aconite, Arsenic, Asafoetida, Cantharis, Causticum,

Coffea, Conium, Cyclamen, Ipecac, Natrum carb, Natrum mur, Silicea.

(According to Dr. J. H. e)

For the initial fever ­ Aconite

When the vesicles form ­ Antim tart

When the fever is over ­ Merc sol

Aconite ­ For the initial stage, with the onset of fever; better in open

air, worse in warm room, in evening and at night; thirst and restlessness

very marked.

Antim crud ­ Chicken pox, with gastric derangement; sensitive to cold

bathing; thick, hard, honey colored scabs; itching when warm in bed;

burning and itching are worse at night; child cannot bear to be touched or

looked at.

Antim tart - In the early stage; child is irritable and wants company; also

indicated in chicken pox with respiratory complications.

Mercurius - When matter appears in the vesicles; skin is almost

consistently moist; odorous perspiration; itching is worse from warmth of

bed; yellowish brown crusts; worse at night, wet, damp weather, perspiring,

warm room and warm bed.

Rhus tox ­ Severe intense itching; extreme mental and physical

restlessness; worse during cold wet, rainy weather and after rain; better

warm, dry weather, rubbing, warm applications.

Sulphur ­ Annoying rash; child is thirsty and hungry; dirty skin; worse

scratching and washing; itching worse by warmth; often occurs in spring time.

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