7+ natural remedies to help soothe the itch of chickenpox

Although chickenpox is not as common as it once was because of the vaccine, people still contract the "childhood" virus. Once you have it, you simply have to let it take its course. No miracle cure exists.
Just because you have to suffer through it doesn't mean you have to be miserable. Treating the rash topically will help with a lot of the itching and discomfort. Here are 7+ ways to help alleviate the symptoms.
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1. Cool compress. When the blisters begin to break, emedicine health says to apply cool compresses to help relieve any discomfort. A soft cloth and cool water is really all you need.
2. Calamine lotion. To help alleviate the itching, WebMD recommends applying calamine lotion to the rash.
3. Antihistamine. If you don't want to have the pink from calamine lotion, you can use a topical antihistamine like diphenhydramine, according to emedicine health. You can also take it orally to help.
4. Baking soda bath. The Mayo Clinic says that a baking soda bath to soak in can help soothe the rash and make your skin feel better. You can make the bath by adding 5 tablespoons of baking soda to your bath water. If you need to make it stronger, you can add up to 2 cups of baking soda. You'll have to be the judge of what is most effective.
5. Oatmeal bath. Another option recommended by WebMD is an oatmeal bath. Grind 1 cup of oatmeal into a fine powder and add it to your bath water. If you can't get it as fine as you want, you can put the oatmeal in a sock and put it under the running water.
6. Hydrate. Medical News Today reminds people that drinking plenty of fluids is really important. Sucking on popsicles or ice chips are other ways to get your fluids.
7. Baking soda paste. If you want a more natural topical treatment, Dr. Axe says you can make a baking soda paste to apply by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a paste.
8. Acetaminophen. To help treat a fever, Medical News Today says you can take acetaminophen. A caution is given to never take aspirin or medication containing aspirin as it is associated with the developement Reye's syndrome.
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After several weeks, the virus will have run its course, and you can return to life as normal. Until then, you may as well curl up with some good books and movies and get comfortable.
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RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.