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cutaneous system
Varicella
Integrative Therapies

Home Care

Varicella is also known as the Chickenpox.

This article deals with the major childhood diseases, including Mumps, Measles, and Chickenpox. General information, appropriate for all of them, is given first and then some specific information for the individual diseases.

Most children contract these diseases, although their manifestation may range from a subtle rash and mild cold symptoms to a more severe illness. Contact your physician if you feel that the illness is not running its expected course.

For the most part, the symptoms will be less severe and will pass quicker in a child whose immune system is strong and well-prepared, even after the child has contracted the disease. Steps can be taken to strengthen his or her immune system, reduce the severity of the illness, and speed healing.


THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED FOR CHILDHOOD DISEASES AND CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:

• Vitamin C – 500 milligrams times the age of the child (up to 4,000 milligrams) per day in divided doses.

• Vitamin A – 2,500 Units times the child's age, per day up to 25,000 Units.


THE PROPER DIET FOR CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Make sure your child drinks lots of fluids in the form of water, diluted fruit juices, and broths.

2. Food, on the other hand, should not be forced on a child who is not hungry. Never overfeed a sick child.

3. Avoid feeding your child milk and other dairy products, peanuts, spicy or fried foods, and red meat. All of these foods put a strain on the digestive system and create excess mucus.

4. Totally avoid or limit to a bare minimum sugar containing foods such as candy, pastries, and pop, since sugars will slow down the immune system response.


HERBS FOR CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES:

1. Echinacea – in drops. Use 5 drops for each year of age, 3 times a day. Have your child drink it with water or juice.

2. Yarrow can be used to help lower a high temperature. Use Yarrow as a tea – Put 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. You can add honey to sweeten it. Give 1/2 cup 3 times a day during the first few days of the fever.

3. Oregon Grape and Burdock can be used to help clear a rash. They also help restore appetite. Use as a tincture, which is a liquid herbal extract. Give 3 drops for each year of age, 3 times a day, mixed in a small amount of water or juice.

4. Golden Seal can be applied to the blisters of chickenpox. Use the fluid extract, which con-tains less alcohol, or make a strong tea, using 1 tablespoon of Golden Seal in 1/2 cup of boiling water. Simmer 5 minutes and strain well with a cheese cloth. Golden Seal can prevent the blisters from getting infected. Paint the blisters with a saturated cotton ball.


HOMEOPATHY:

From the following homeopathic remedies, choose the one that best matches your child's symptoms. Put 3 pellets under your child's tongue. For small children or babies, dissolve the 3 pellets in a small amount of water.

• Variolinum 6C: Is a specific homeopathic remedy for chickenpox. Give 1 dose at the onset of symptoms. Later use Rhus tox.

• Rhus tox 6C: 3 to 5 times per day until all the blisters of chickenpox are gone.

Note: A wide range of homeopathic medicines can be helpful for children with varicella. Consultation with a health care professional trained in homeopathic prescribing will usually be the best way to select the correct medicine.

Clinic

Footnotes

BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.

Hussey GD, Klein M. A randomized, controlled trial of vitamin A in children with severe measles. N Engl J Med 1990;323:160-164.