It all started with joint pains, muscle cramps, body malaise and a low-grade fever. I thought I was just experiencing simple flu-like symptoms until I noticed the appearance of a tiny blister on my skin which made me seek medical attention. Cue horrific drum roll – chicken pox was the impression.
Chickenpox (known as varicella) is a highly communicable viral infection caused by a varicella zoster virus. This is characterized by a skin rash that forms into small blisters and eventually scabs over. It usually starts on the face, trunk, and then spreads to the rest of the body (source: Wikipedia). This is a problem that if not taken seriously will result to further complications.
So how do we manage it???
- Seek advice from an expert.
Your physician knows the right drug and dosage for you. DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE or take medications that was given to a friend of yours who’s had chicken pox in the past.
- Go back to the basics – OBSERVE HYGIENE.
Itchiness is one of the things you have to deal with when you have chicken pox. Taking a bath at least twice a day will help ease the discomfort.
- Make sure to hydrate.
Drink a lot (2-3L/day) of water to avoid dehydration. Dehydrated skin will also cause an increased sensation of itchiness. Now, water was never my favorite beverage, but I was forced to drink anyway especially when my temperature shot up.
Take that needed extra hours of sleep.
To sleep at least 8 hours a day is the goal. It’s basic. A well-rested body will boost the immune system. My doctor told me to rest for two weeks. For me, that was too long. Having the chicken pox wasn’t the only problem I had to deal with, but boredom as well. So, what did I do? I slept, watched movies, read magazines, customized my blog, texted and called my friends. I filled the empty hours with activities I was into that wouldn’t have to require getting out. You want to stay isolated as much as possible whenever you have a communicable disease, because that’s the thing with them – it’s communicable.
- Eat a balanced diet.
This is especially important during the earlier stage of the infection. You will experience body weakness. Proper nutrition is needed to help your body recover faster.
- Resist the urge to scratch.
If you don’t listen to what your mama tells you about those blisters, you will have to deal with the scars later on. So avoid scratching them during the course of treatment. If you have a low tolerance for body itch, you can consult your doctor for creams and even try home remedies to soothe the itch from your body, with your doctor’s approval, of course.
- Treat the scars.
Scars are ghastly, especially after you’ve had a recent bout with chicken pox. I personally use Contractubex for treating my scars and I have experienced wondrous results from it.
- Conceal the scars.
There are a number of ways to hide scars, especially on the face, but as for me this Visibly Rosy face powder from MIDORI’S HAVEN is the best. It lightens the scars and leaves a matte & pinkish finish. You won’t only look scar-free, you’ll look refreshed as well. Who’s to say you even had the chicken pox, huh? Nobody needs to know.
