stop a 3yr old from scratching...

[janeyo]

So now my littlest has chicken pox. Poor thing, I feel a bit mean as he was sooooo grumpy over the weekend and I wasn't the most patient of mummies, as he is normally grumpy and stroppy! That night the first spot appeared...

My eldest got it before he was 2 so the scratch reflex hadn't started then hence so scars at all.

But Dominic is scratching like mad at them and has already made one bleed on his face. He is only 3 and doesn't really understand the 'don't scratch you'll have scars' thing. I am giving him piriton and putting on calamine cream.

Is there anything else I can do to stop him scratching - I have thought about putting him to bed with gloves on!

[binley100]

I seem to remember that a bath with bicarb in it was recommended .....

[shirlthegirl43]

Might be worth checking with your doctor - my two had it when much older and said they didn't itch at all.

[FionaH]

Cotton gloves at nights not a bad idea, if you can get some.

[Incy]

I remember being covered in calamine lotion (rather than cream) when I had it as a child and it did help. Not sure if there's a difference between the lotions and the creams but it may be worth asking a chemist.

[Florence Fennel]

Cotton gloves are a good idea if you can make him keep them on (!) and cool baths will help. Lather him in calamine lotion on a regular basis and ask your GP about the dosage of Piriton. Really hope he's feeling better soon, it's awful for him.

[Glutton4...]

Straight Jacket!? There was one kicking around on the Vine last week....

When I had Meazles, my Mum covered me in Calamine Lotion about four times a day.

[lainey lou]

I seem to remember that a bath with bicarb in it was recommended .....

yes, that will help and calamine after, you can buy the non-whitening stuff these days.

[weekendwellies]

I put calamine lotion on my girls when they had it. Or you could try something like Lanacane, that stops itching too.

[jackie j]

When my daughter AND my husband had it we went to the health food shop and got some oils to put in the bath cant remember what though, go in and ask.

[Bagpuss]

Another vote for calamine lotion here

[Jeanied]

Acyclovir for me - and calamine.

[Hilary B]

You might try "the more you scratch the more they will itch. I know it's hard to leave them alone but they DO itch less if you can!", along with the calomine, and anything which will keep the spots cool (itches are always worse when warm)

[lainey lou]

anything which will keep the spots cool (itches are always worse when warm)

Good point there, don,t forget to drees him in breathable fabric like cottons.

[janeyo]

and now he is throwing up too!
he has been off all week so no idea how he has caught a sick bug, unless it is the chicken pox making him sick.

I have had JUST about enough of this year now - ready for the next one please...

We had all that bother with my OH a few weeks ago, then a close rellie has had a heart attack at 86, now constant illnesses with the chicldren... I am normally quite a positive person but 2010 has NOT been my year.

(I know there are 3 more of us here to go down with a sick bug before xmas.....)

Hey - ho at least I still have all my marbles.....