Chickenpox can spread through contact with saliva, mucus, or fluid blisters of an infected individual or through the air. This condition is caused by the virus which is known as varicella-zoster. It spreads easily from one person to another. The infected person is contagious from a day or two before the rashes appear and it is contagious until the time when all blisters have dried. Usually, it takes from ten to 21 days for the symptoms to develop after you have been exposed to the virus. An itchy rash and red spots or blisters all over the body are the most common symptoms of chickenpox. Also, there are other symptoms which include aching muscles, loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever. Most people get vaccinated against chickenpox and this is a reason why it is most common among newborn babies and is followed by people with weak immune systems and pregnant women. In most cases, the worst symptoms of this condition subside in about 2 weeks. But you can try some of the mentioned home remedies to alleviate some of the symptoms and you will get relief from the itching as this virus takes its course. You should avoid scratching because this can cause scarring and infection. You should wear gloves at night because they will help you to prevent scratching. Also, you should clip lip your nails. You can use a cold compress to get relief from the itching and discomfort.
13 chickenpox natural treatments
Contents
Honey
This home remedy will give you relief from the itchiness and also it will help heal the blisters that are caused by chickenpox [1]. You should get good quality and pure honey and you should coat the affected area with it. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 – 3 times per day until the scars are gone.
Brown vinegar
Brown vinegar is one of the most effective natural cures for chickenpox. It can give you relief from skin irritation and it can help heal the lesions. Also, it will prevent scarring. In bathwater, you should add ½ cup of brown vinegar and you should soak in it for about ten to fifteen minutes.
Oatmeal
This is also a very popular home remedy for itchiness which is caused by chickenpox [2]. You should grind 2 cups of oatmeal into a fine powder. You should put the powdered oatmeal in 2 liters of lukewarm water. You should soak your body in this water for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Carrots and coriander
If you suffer from chickenpox, then you can make a soup of coriander and carrots. It is a very effective home remedy because it has antioxidants which can help you in the healing process. You should cut up 100 grams of carrots to get about one cup of chopped carrots and chop sixty grams or one to ½ cup of fresh coriander leaves and you should boil them in about 2 and ¼ cup of water until the half amount of water is evaporated. You should drink this soup once per day for a period of one month. Also, you can eat the boiled coriander leaves because they will add strength.
This natural cure is also known as neem or margosa. It is a very useful home remedy for chickenpox because it has antiviral properties [3]. Also, it helps dry out blisters and it can give you relief from the itching to a great extent. You should take a handful of neem leaves. Crush them. Apply the paste to the affected area. Also, it is a beneficial treatment when you add neem leaves to bathwater.
Baking soda
This natural cure can help to control the irritation and itchiness of chickenpox. You should stir ½ tablespoon of baking soda in one glass of water. You should use a soft washcloth to put this natural cure on the affected areas of your body and you should allow it to dry. Also, there is another option which you can make and that is to mix ½ cup of baking soda in your bath water and you should soak in it.
Lavender oil
This is also a very effective home remedy which can help to reduce the skin itching and irritation which are caused by chickenpox [4]. You should dilute a little lavender essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil and you should apply it to the affected areas and let it stay there until it dries. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 times per day. Also, there is another option and that is to add a few drops of chamomile essential oil and lavender oil in lukewarm water. You should soak your body in this water for about ten minutes.
Herbal tea
You can try mild and sedative herbal tea which is made from herbs such as lemon balm, marigold, holy basil, and chamomile. You should put one tablespoon of any of the mentioned herbs in one cup of boiling water. You should let it steep for a few minutes and then you should strain it. You should add a small amount of lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon and you should sip it slowly. You should drink this home remedy a few times per day if you want to have the best results.
Calendula flowers
This natural cure is also known as marigold flowers. It is used to get relief from the itching which is caused by chickenpox [5]. You should put 2 tablespoons of calendula flowers and one teaspoon of witch hazel in one cup of water and you should let it sit overnight. In the morning, you should grind this mixture thoroughly. You should apply this paste directly to your rashes. You should rinse it off when it dries completely.
Sandalwood oil
This can be a very effective home remedy for the natural treatment of chickenpox sore because it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Also, it can help to fade chickenpox scars. You should add a few drops of pure sandalwood oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil such as almond oil and you should apply it to the rashes. You should do this natural treatment on a regular basis until the scars and sores heal completely.
Epsom salt
This is a mineral and not a salt. It consists of sulfate and magnesium and it can be a very useful home remedy for getting relief from the itching which is caused by chickenpox. Epsom salt has minerals which can soothe the inflammation and give you relief from the pain which are associated with chickenpox.
You should take two cups of Epsom salt. You can fill a bathtub with warm water. You should add Epsom salt to this water. You should mix it well with your hand until it dissolves completely. Then, you should soak your body in this water for about fifteen minutes. You may want to soak your body for some more time. You should get out of the bathtub and gently pat dry your body with a towel. You should be careful not to damage your blistered skin. You should soak every day in Epsom salt until the chickenpox is cured. You should mix two cups of Epsom salt in one gallon of warm water. Then, you should dip the cloth in this water, and then you should saturate it. You should take out the cloth and then you should apply it on the skin where you have blisters. You should let the cloth cool down. You should repeat this natural treatment as many times as you want. You will feel relief from it.
Jasmine flower
This Thai natural cure is used for the treatment of chickenpox. In Thailand, this natural cure is used as a tea as well as for the bath because both ways can be a very effective natural treatment for chickenpox. You can find Jasmine flowers easily in the herbal medicine shops as well in the herbal tea shops.
You should drink Jasmine tea two to four times per day. You can find this tea in the herbal shops. You should steep it in hot water and then you should drink it. Also, you can make a Jasmine bath. You should take a handful of Jasmine flowers and then you should grind them. You should mix the ground Jasmine with some rice water. You should add this rice water to lukewarm bathwater. You should bathe your body with this natural cure.
Tea tree oil
This natural cure is antiviral. It can kill the virus which is the cause of chickenpox [4,6]. You should never apply this home remedy on your skin undiluted. You should mix one tablespoon of any coconut, almond, or olive oil with 4 drops of tea tree oil. You should use a cotton ball to apply this natural cure to chickenpox. Let it stay there for ten minutes. Then, wipe with a clean wet cloth. You should repeat it on a regular basis. If you have more sensitive skin, then you should add less tea tree oil and more carrier oil. Also, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to warm bathwater. You should take a bath or soak your body in it for a few minutes.
References:
[1] Shahzad A, Cohrs RJ. In vitro antiviral activity of honey against varicella zoster virus (VZV): A translational medicine study for potential remedy for shingles. Translational Biomedicine. 2012;3(2):2.
[2] Ahmad M, Gul-Zaffar, Dar ZA, Habib M. A review on Oat (Avena sativa L.) as a
dual-purpose crop. Scientific Research and Essays. 2014;9(4):52-59.
[3] Bhowmik D, Chiranjib JY, Tripathi KK, Sampath Kumar KP. Herbal remedies of Azadirachta indica and its medicinal application. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2010;2(1):62-72.
[4] Orchard A, van Vuuren S. Commercial essential oils as potential antimicrobials to treat skin diseases. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;2017:4517971.
[5] Tabassum N, Hamdani M. Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacognosy Review. 2014;8(15):52-60.
[6] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.
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