BANGALORE: The climate is just getting hotter and now you stand more chances to get the chicken pox.
Chickenpox is a common illness, where an itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
Known causes
The varicella virus causes chicken pox. Inhalation of airborne respiratory droplets of an infected person, contact with persons who are suffering from it, are the the most common reasons.
Touching stationary items of infected persons can cause the disease. “Earlier chicken pox was considered to be a illness that only children under 12 would be affected with, but this is not true. The fourth stage of the pox is the most dangerous one were scabs form,’’ said Dr HV Sudhamani, general physician.
Identify it
Chicken pox is easily identifiable with its red, itchy rash that initially looks like insect bites, small, liquidfilled blisters that break open and crust over and loss of appetite.
Prevention
“There is preventive vaccine for chicken pox. for one to two year olds, an injection has to be taken and for kids above two years, two injections will have to be taken within a month. But most people don’t go for the vaccine as they are costly,” said Dr Sudhamani. She added that people who have had chicken pox develop immunity to it.
Treatment
“Calamine solution and prickly heat powder are the best itch-relief, which all patients resort to. The person infected should be isolated so that he/she doesn’t infect others and also they should rest in a cool atmosphere,” said Dr Sudhamani. Other home remedies which are suggested are applying sandalwood oil on the rashes, as it prevents scars from blemishing the skin. One could also coat the affected area with honey as it not only relieves the irritation, but would also heal the rash.