Baby's first year : Chicken Pox

This highly infectious illness produces a rash of very itchy spots. Your child may be very uncomfortable because of intense itching if there are many spots. It is important to prevent your child from scratching these spots as they could become infected and leave scars even after they have healed. You can prevent her from scratching by keeping fingernails short and putting on scratch mitts on her hands. It is important to consult a doctor if you think your child has chicken pox.

Symptoms:

• very itchy and red spots appearing on various parts of the body
• these spots may have a fluid-filled centre
• slight temperature

Treatment:

The doctor may prescribe an antihistamine cream to ease the itching. You can also use calamine lotion to soothe the itching. If the spots become infected, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream.