Feeling tired? Got colds? Cough? Think it's flu? But you feel some bump on your scalp? Or an acne looking mound on your face? Or a blister on your arm? Beware, you might just have the chickenpox.
Prevent the virus from making you feel and look worse. Do the following:
1. Go see a doctor to get a prescription of Acyclovir (anti-virus). Zovirax is one of the most common brand, but a bit expensive. This drug cannot stop the virus but will lessen its strength. It is mostly effective when taken within 24 hours after symptoms show. They say that when medicine is taken immediately, blisters will be avoided. In my case, I was able to take after 24 hours but less than 48 hours. I still got those blisters on my face, scalp, and torso. Few on my arms and none on my legs. The blisters were also tiny and some were like pimples only.
2. Take anti-histamine to ease the itch. The doctor will most likely include this in your prescription. Logically, avoid food that can cause you to itch, such as seafood or vegetable like the eggplant. You can look up the internet for foods to avoid when having chickenpox.
3. Buy the prescribed antibacterial cream. I was prescribed with mupirocin. I started using them when the blisters started to wither. They work well in preventing infections.
4. Bath with a half cup of baking soda mixed in the water. It eases the itch. I did mine with cold water. The antihistamine at night and the cold bath helped me a lot from scratching the blisters.
5. Bath with a cup of brown vinegar mixed in the water, especially when the blisters have started to wither. This helps you steer clear from infection. Bath/shower daily for 2 to 4 times a day. It will make you feel a lot better.
6. Endure without applying anything on your face. Just wash it with water and mild soap. Or you may use antibacterial soap. I never use soap on my face but when I got the chickenpox, I washed it with safeguard. Do this until the blisters have dried up so you can start treating your skin and go back to usual skin care habit.
7. When blisters have completely withered, apply your skin regimen for skin healing. You can use vitamin-e serum (you can get from the capsules), virgin coconut oil, or aloe vera gel. There are a lot of easy ways to prepare your aloe vera gel if the plant is readily available. In my case, I blend the fresh clear gel of aloe vera with a few drops of essential oil of my choice. Then I put it in the fridge. It won't spoil for a week or two. I only prepare enough to last me a week so I don't worry about preserving it longer.
8. It is highly contagious so avoid exposing yourself to others until you are well. Wear mask if you need to be with others since it can be transfered thru droplets of your saliva when you speak or mucus when you sneeze.
9. Accept that you got the chickenpox to make things easier for you. Don't freak out about your skin. They will heal. The scar will fade with proper care.
