Home Remedies for Chickenpox

The main characteristics of Chickenpox are red spots, blisters or itchy rash on the whole body. Other symptoms consist of loss of appetite, fatigue, aching muscles and fever. This very common illness is a result of being infected by a virus called Varicella zoster. This illness seems to be more rampant in children but everyone gets infected by it at least once in a life time. Individuals most easily affected by it are people with weak immune system, new born babies and pregnant women.

It is a contagious disease easily transmitted to another person when they come in contact with the fluid of the infected person or spread through the airborne droplets from the infected person. The infected person is capable of transferring this disease to others before the appearance of symptoms. Initial symptoms consist of sore throat, headache and fever. After the first symptoms start, the appearance of rashes begins.

There are various stages that the spots go through. For the blisters to form crust, it takes a minimum of ten days. The important thing to know is that chicken pox can be treated by home remedies in most of the cases. Home remedies not only help to relieve irritation but also clears scars.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for Chickenpox.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda has a good reputation of treating various ailments and is a perfect home treatment for minimizing itchiness and irritation during chickenpox.

  • Make a paste by mixing half table spoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
  • Put the solutions on affected areas of the body using soft wash cloth and let it dry.
  • Another way of doing this is by mixing half or one cup of baking soda in the water used for bathing and soaking yourself in it

2. Honey

Honey is known to have great healing powers and ability to remove scars. The natural antibacterial element of honey makes it perfect for curing irritation.

  • Apply thin layer of honey over areas that are affected by blisters, itching or rashes.
  • Let it stay for some time and then you can wash it off
  • Do this 3 to 4 times each day

3. Indian Lilac

One of the best remedies of chicken pox is Indian Lilac also called Neem Leaves and Margosa leaves. Its natural antiviral properties fight the chickenpox causing virus Varicella Zoster. It also gives a soothing effect to all the irritation and itchiness as a result of blisters and rashes. It makes the blisters dry. Neem is an extraordinary herb which shows anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, Antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, antiseptic and antioxidant properties.

  • Crush some neem leaves and prepare a paste out of it. Apply it to areas of skin which is affected.
  • Hanging fronds of neem around the patient’s bed may help.
  • After the patient is cured of chicken pox, neem bath can be given to the patient. All you have to do is soak some neem leaves in warm water which will be used to bathe the patient.
  • Smoke that comes out after burning neem leaves will kill any virus floating around in the air preventing transmission of this disease to others

Note: Although neem is safe to use for adults but never directly use it on children or let them eat any form of Neem.

4. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera too has been used to cure skin problems since a long time. What makes Aloe Vera best for those suffering from chicken pox symptoms is the fact that it naturally possesses Anti-inflammatory, healing, pain relieving and moisturizing properties. The gel from the plant of Aloe Vera cools and soothes skin keeping those marks and scars away.

  • Take Aloe Vera leaf and scoop out Aloe Vera gel from it.
  • Apply this fresh gel to rashes and affected areas to get a soothing effect

5. Oat Meal

Oat meal is really effective for relieving itchiness that occurs as a result of blisters and rashes of chickenpox. Oats contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which assists in alleviating itching, irritation and gives relief from pain. Therefore, Oat meal baths are not only soothing but also relaxing for itchy skin.

  • Take 2 cups of oat meal and grind it into a fine powder
  • Add this powdered oat meal to a liter of water for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Add this mixture in a cloth bag or socks and tie it.
  • Put the socks or cloth bag into the water that is used for bathing. Wait for the water to appear milky and then take a bath using this water.

6. Sandal Wood Oil

Sandalwood oil consists of compounds that soothe the skin and lighten scars which makes it excellent for chicken pox. After the disease is cured, it will leave the patient free of scars, lesions or blemishes on skin.

1st method:

  • Take a cotton ball and soak it in sandalwood oil to apply on blisters.
  • Another way of doing this is taking few drops of this oil in your palm and rubbing it gently on legs, arms and other parts of the body soothing the skin.

2nd method:

Turmeric is one more antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herb. Therefore combination of sandalwood oil and turmeric powder is a powerful remedy.

  • Another way of using it is mixing sandalwood oil with turmeric powder to make a paste.
  • Apply it over affected areas and leave it for half an hour.
  • Wash it away with water. Dry it gently without damaging blisters.

7. Herbal Tea

Herbal teas also assist in alleviating symptoms of chickenpox. Herbs like holy basil, lemon balm, chamomile and marigold flowers are extremely beneficial when taken in the form of tea with sedative properties providing relief from pain. Herbal tea strengthens immune system and we are aware that the chickenpox virus easily affects those with a weak immune system. It will help in making the defense mechanism stronger.

  1. Boil any of the herbs mentioned in water.
  2. Mix 1tsp honey, 1 tsp lemon juice and quarter tsp cinnamon powder in the tea.
  3. To heal the lesions quickly, take this tea at least 2 to 4 times a day.

8. Brown Vinegar

Vinegar had long been used for medical purposes before entering our cuisines. Vinegar consists of mild acid which is useful in killing harmful bacteria. It dries up the blisters and alleviates irritation along with preventing scars.

  • Put one and a half cup of brown vinegar in lukewarm bath water.
  • Soak yourself in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Do this every day until chickenpox gets cured.

9. Jasmine Flower

People of Thailand use Jasmine flowers to treat chickenpox. It can be used both for bath and to make tea. You can buy these flowers easily from any herbal tea shops or herbal medicine store.

Method 1

  • Boil flowers of this tea in water to prepare tea.
  • Drink this tea 2 to 5 times in a day.

Method 2

  • Grind jasmine flowers into powder form
  • Mix the grinded form with rice water.
  • Add this mixture in lukewarm water prepared to bath.
  • Soak yourself in this water for 15 to 20 minutes.

10. Vitamin E Oil

Yet another effective remedy for curing chicken pox is Vitamin E oil. It assists in healing of blisters and preventing marks due to chickenpox.

  1. Take some vitamin E oil in the palm of your hands.
  2. Gently rub it on the affected areas of skin
  3. Apply 2 to 3 times every day until cured.

Some precautions that can act as additional remedies:

  • Cut your nails and keep them short to avoid accidental scratches
  • Try to avoid scratching as much as possible as it increases risk of infection and results in scars.
  • Applying cool ice packs can bring comfort and sooth itching
  • Taking in a lot of fruits and vegetables is good since it gives phytonutrients that make the immune system strong.
  • Taking juices rich in Vitamin C and A is good especially Carrot juice with coriander leaves and lemon juice. It helps to cure chickenpox.
  • Don’t use foods that are processed and sugary. Avoid sodas.
  • Lessen the use of dairy products except for Yoghurt.
  • Drink lots of water and other fluids.
  • Reduce intake of food that is stressful for your digestive system like breads, meat, salt, spicy food, butter etc.
  • Smoothies of beet, cherries, blackberries, broccoli, kale, cabbage is good for chickenpox patients.
  • Lastly take a lot of rest and stay at home to protect your friends and family from chickenpox. Remember it is an easily transmissible disease.

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