Natural Remedy for Chicken Pox - Oat Bath...'The wonder bath'

I'm not sure about your area but Chickenpox has been making the rounds and yes I was one of those mums that was like "please can my child play with yours" . Of course it's not nice having a sick child or purposely making your child ill but chickenpox is one of those viruses you want your child to get young as it can be very dangerous later in life. Getting it early also means you wont really remember it, which I defiantly don't. Another reason for wanting Ben to get it is that we are due to go on holiday in 4 weeks so its better to get it out the way now rather then leave it to chance and end up having to cancel our holiday due to not being able to fly.

In hindsight though I wish I had been a bit more prepared before thrusting my child into the nasty grasp of the chickenpox monster. Mentally, emotionally and physically. Ben being just two and not really understanding what was happening really struggled, especially when the 2nd wave hit and constantly said 'help help help' which made me feel completely helpless and cruel for making him catch the nasty virus in the first place. Night time was/has been the worst with high temperatures and broken sleep . 3am Wiggles and Pepper Pig (or as Ben calls it George) seemed to be the only comfort as well as lots of cuddles. Food has also been an issue with his appetite being non existent and him being quite weak  and grouchy because of it.

So like allot of mums and dads these days I took to google to try and find something to soothe and comfort my child. - what in earth would we do without google!!!!!???? And after ALLOT of research found a natural remedy using oats, bicarb, coconut oil and salt. THE OAT BATH!! Which I now call the 'wonder bath' !!!! Allot of people say don't bath your child as it can burst the blisters but just 5 short minutes in a lukewarm bath really, i mean REALLY made a difference in Ben's mood and his with his spots. The redness seemed to calm down and the spots in general looked and seem to be allot less painful and itchy.

Here is how to make this wonder bath...

Ingredients

1 cup oats
2 tbsp bicarb
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp coconut oil

1 new/old pair of tights or an old sock
scissors
large glass/pint glass

recipes can vary but this is the one I used

Method

1. Cut the bottom of your tight off a couple of inches from the foot and then cut yourself another small piece to use like an elastic band. You can just use an elastic band and a sock.
2. Place your piece of tight/sock into your glass folding the top over the top of the glass. This makes it easier to get the oats into the opening.

3. Pour your oats into the tight/sock. Then place your sock over the opening of the tap opening and secure using your piece of tight or elastic band. You want the water to be able to pass through the oats so don't seal the opening.     [Turn up your heating if cold]

4. Once secure start running the bath. While its running add the rest - bicarb, salt and coconut oil. DON'T MAKE THE BATH TO HOT!
5. Swish the water abit to make sure everything is dissolved and give the tight a little squeeze to release some of the milky/starchy water.
6. Using a jug gently pour over your child. Try not to keep them in the bath for to long.
7. Get them out of the bath and let then dry naturally as you don't want to burst any of the
blisters by rubbing them with a towel.

a happier spotty little man

I then dabbed on some calamine lotion on the spots and dressed him in sleepsuit to prevent him from scratching.

Ben with his Angel

I cant' begin to tell you what a difference it made. He seemed so much more relaxed and really helped with those hard to reach spots, like the ones in his hair and around his groin. ( note your little ones hair will be a little oily as you don't want to rinse it ) 
I did this once of twice a day and the oat bag can be used up to 3 times.

Natural remedies are the preferred thing these days but I did also use everything the doc/pharmacist said to.

Calamine lotion - to help with the sting and itch as well as dry out the spots, Nurofen - for fever and pain and Piriton  - for relief. ViraSoothe is another cream you can use on the spots, I found it great for his face.

Please always read instructions and talk to a Doc or Pharmacist before giving your child anything.
The oat bath is also something I researched(ALLOT) and used at my own risk. 

Chickenpox is very contagious especially 10 days before and while the spots are coming out. Once they have scabbed over you should be in the clear and your child can have a social life again.

I really hope other mums find this post helpful and if you are a mum or dad nursing a little one back to health I send you so much love as it is so hard seeing your little one like that and completely exhausting at the same time.