Health Tip: Calming Chickenpox

(HealthDay News) -- Chickenpox, and its trademark itchy, red spots, is a common disease in children.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for relieving the itch and keeping your child more comfortable:

• Have your child soak in a warm oatmeal bath every few hours.
• Apply cool, damp rags across your child's body.
• Gently pat your child's body dry. Don't rub or scratch the itchy spots.
• Dab the pox with calamine lotion, everywhere but on the face.
• If your child's chickenpox are inside the mouth, feed the child soft, cold foods. Avoid anything acidic or salty.
• Have your child take acetaminophen to alleviate pain.
• Talk to your child's pediatrician about OTC medications that soothe itching, and creams that are safe to alleviate pain near the genitals.

-- Diana Kohnle

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