Is it possible to bathe a child with chickenpox?

The question "is it possible to wash with chickenpox" has always been discussed. And if earlier pediatricians categorically refused to sick children in this procedure, now the opinions of doctors differ, which is associated with a more detailed study of the action of the virus and the processes taking place in the skin of children with chickenpox.

What is chickenpox

Chickenpox is considered the most common infection, which mainly affects children 2-7 years old.

The disease also occurs in infants, if the mother has not had chickenpox before and the baby is not protected by its antibodies. Chickenpox can also affect adolescents and adults, and the course of the disease in them in many cases is severe.

The disease is manifested by high fever, malaise and skin lesions. A rash is especially uncomfortable for a child with such a disease. It is represented by blisters that itch quite a lot. At the same time, it is impossible to scratch the rash, because this can not only bring pathogenic bacteria into the damaged skin, but also leave traces that often do not disappear until the end of life.

Children who have had chickenpox remain immune to this infection until the end of their lives. The disease is usually treated symptomatically. In extreme heat, ibuprofen or paracetamol is given, and the skin is lubricated with products that eliminate itching. If the course of chickenpox is moderate or severe, they resort to prescribing antiviral drugs, for example, Acyclovir tablets.

Is it possible to bathe a child with chickenpox

Once upon a time, hygiene procedures in the form of baths were contraindicated for children with chickenpox. Doctors explained "why not" by the fact that the rash should be dried, and after the bath, the crusts, on the contrary, became soaked and softened.

Now, most pediatricians do not prohibit bathing babies with chickenpox.

Quite the contrary, they believe that such a hygiene procedure prevents additional skin infections. In addition, with frequent bathing, itching of the skin will decrease, so that antihistamines can be avoided in treatment.

At the same time, bathing children with chickenpox should be correct, following the following tips:

The temperature regime should be comfortable. The water should never be too hot. The optimum temperature is considered to be no higher than + 37 + 38 ° С.
The best way to wash a baby with chickenpox is simply clean water. It is not recommended to apply any detergents (foams, gels, soaps, shampoos) to the skin covered with rashes. If the mother is interested in when it is possible to wash the child with soap, then the answer of the doctors will be "as soon as all the rashes heal."
Herbal decoction (for example, chamomile or oak bark) or a little potassium permanganate can be added to the water.
You cannot rub a washcloth with your skin, and if the child is washed under the shower, then the pressure should be weak.
The procedure should not be lengthy. It is quite enough to keep the child in the bath for one to five minutes, and wash in the shower for only 1-3 minutes.
Do not rub the baby's skin after bathing with a towel. It is best to wrap the baby's body with a sheet or a large diaper after removing the crumbs from the bath so that all the water is absorbed. In this case, the diaper or sheet should be sent to the wash after getting the baby's skin wet.
Immediately after bathing, the skin should be treated with an antiseptic preparation, for example, Kalamin lotion, brilliant green solution or Tsindol.

What day can you wash

As a rule, in the first days of the manifestations of chickenpox, the child's temperature rises greatly and the general condition worsens. That is why in the acute period children are not bathed, but wiped with wet wipes. A full bath is recommended two to four days after the onset of the illness, when the baby's well-being improves, and the first rashes begin to crusted.

How many times can you bathe

To reduce itching, protect the skin from infection, and relieve the discomfort of a child with chickenpox, bathing can be done frequently - up to 4-6 times a day.

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

A popular doctor supports the point of view of foreign pediatricians that it is possible to wash a child with chickenpox. Komarovsky considers a chickenpox bath a good way to cleanse a child's skin of impurities and relieve itching. At the same time, he focuses the attention of parents on the fact that the water in the bath should be cool, and itching provokes overheating. And therefore, the room where the baby with chickenpox is staying should not be too dry and hot.

Is it possible to go to the bath

Bathing a child in a bath with chickenpox is not recommended for several reasons. Firstly, a baby in the acute phase of the disease plus 5 days after the appearance of the last bubbles is infectious, so he should not contact other people. Since the bathhouse is a public place, it is unacceptable to visit it with a child who has chickenpox. Secondly, due to the high temperature and active sweating, the itching of the skin with chickenpox intensifies, therefore, even if there is no one in the bath besides the sick child and his parents, such a hygienic procedure will be inappropriate.

How and how to wash brilliant green or fukortsin

As soon as the main symptoms of chickenpox disappear, after 4-5 days, you can start bathing your baby as usual. At the same time, many parents are interested in the problem of eliminating traces of fucorcin or brilliant green from the face, hair and body skin. You can quickly get rid of red or green marks in this way: first steam the baby's skin in the bath, and then apply soap foam to the painted parts (use baby or laundry soap to get it), and then rub the spots.

The application also removes green stains well: