At Home Relief for Chickenpox 

By CH Woods

Chickenpox is a type of viral contamination that brings about itchy rashes. 

This condition is extremely contagious, but only to those who have not had a vaccine for it or have never experienced the infection before. 

Before the days of the chickenpox vaccination, practically all people were infected before they became adults, at times with severe side effects. 

These days, the amount of cases has decreased significantly. For most of us, chickenpox is a minor illness. Nevertheless, it's far better to get vaccinated. The chickenpox vaccine is a risk-free and powerful way to protect against chickenpox and its complications.

Symptoms of Chickenpox : Chickenpox typically lasts around five to ten days. A rash is a sign of chickenpox.

Some other symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of Appetite
• Overall Weakness

The Three Phases of Chickenpox

1. Red or pink bumps that show up over many days
2. Blisters filled with fluid developing on the elevated lumps. The blister will crack and leak around a day after.
3. Scabs will begin to cover the blisters. They will take several days to a week to heal. Do not scratch them off or else you may cause scarring.

Brand new lumps will continue to keep appear for several days. It is possible that you might have all three phases of the rash simultaneously a day after the rash appears. Once you have chickenpox, you can start to spread the virus for as much as two days before the rash shows up and you can still spread the virus until all the spots begin to scab.

The condition is normally mild in those who are healthy. In serious cases, the rash can spread to throughout the entire body, causing bumps to appear in your eyes and throat.

The likelihood that you will catch chickenpox is greater if you:

• Did not receive a vaccination for chickenpox.
• Have not yet had chickenpox.
• Work in an environment with children who are prone to the infection.
• Have children of your own.

The majority of adults in the United State has received a chickenpox vaccination or is immune to the virus.

Complications of Chickenpox: Chickenpox is usually a harmless disease. However there are cases where the infection is severe which can cause complications like:

• Pneumonia
• Toxic Shock Syndrome - an acute, potentially fatal circulatory failure
• Encephalitis - Inflamed Brain
• Bacterial Infections in Your Blood, Bones, Skin, and Joints

Tips to Avoid Scratching 
Scratching bumps can result in skin damage and scarring. It will also increase the chances of infections, so if you or your child need help to stop the scratching, you should try: 

• Wearing gloves on your hands. This is especially helpful while you are sleeping to prevent unconscious scratching.
• Trimming your fingernails to lower the chances of breaking the blister.

Recommendations for Relief: Chickenpox rashes tend to be extremely itchy and when the blisters break that can be a bit painful as well. These problems, together with the symptoms like a fever, can be quite agonizing. 

To help find relief, you should try one of the methods below.

• Apply itch-relief cream to the blisters to prevent scratching and pain.
• Eat a diet of soft foods if the chickenpox has infected your mouth.
• Take a cool bath with oatmeal and baking soda added.

When to Visit Your Doctor 
If you believe that you have chickenpox, give your doctor a call. A medical professional can help you determine the best way to deal with it.
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CH Woods is the Executive Director of Organic and Environmental Products
We provide organic and natural products with informative articles on health and environmental solutions

Measles: A Disease Most Common in Children 

By CH Woods

Measles is a viral infection that usually infects children. A Virus is a submicroscopic parasitic particle of a nucleic acid surrounded by protein that can only replicate within a host cell. In the past this disease was fairly common while nowadays it can be avoided thanks to vaccinations. Symptoms of the measles often include a runny nose, skin rash, cough, sore throat, swollen eyes, and a fever.

The measles can seriously harm young children and can be fatal. Although the death rates are declining as more and more children are getting measles vaccine, this disease continues to kill thousands of people per year, the majority of them being children five years old and younger.



By the year 2000, the measles vaccine had practically removed measles from the United States. Even so, the measles does still affect people since many parents have not yet vaccinated their children. 

Symptoms of Measles: The symptoms of measles tend to show up one to two weeks after being infected with the virus.

Typical symptoms of this disease normally include:

• Fever
• Runny Nose
• Light Sensitivity
• Dry Cough
• Swollen Eyes
• Skin Rashes
• Sore Throat
• Koplik's Spots (Bumps within the mouth)

Risk Factors Linked to Measles

• Vitamin A Deficiency: If you lack vitamin A in your diet then you are more prone to developing measles in addition to having symptoms that are more severe.
• No Vaccination: Those who have yet to receive a vaccination for measles are at a much higher risk for catching it.
• International Travel: Unvaccinated people who visit other countries where measles occur naturally are at greater risk of getting the disease.
• Measles Complications: Measles can cause all sorts of complications, such as:
• Bronchitis and Laryngitis: Measles may result in the inflammation of your or swelling of the internal walls of your lungs. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, usually accompanied by hoarseness and coughing.
• Low Platelet Count: Measles may result in a reduction in platelets, which is the type of blood cells used for blood clotting.
• Ear Infection: Probably the most typical complication caused by the measles is an ear infection.
• Pregnancy Difficulties: Women who are pregnant will need to take special care in order to prevent measles since the condition could potentially cause low birth weight, pre-term labor, and pregnancy loss.
• Encephalitis: Around one in one thousand of those who have problems with measles will eventually have encephalitis, or an inflamed brain, which can cause symptoms like convulsions, coma, vomiting, and in some cases death. Encephalitis will either develop right after the measles occur or can take place several months after.
• Pneumonia: Pneumonia is another common complication of the measles. Those who have weakened immune systems are at a much higher risk for developing fatal cases of pneumonia

Relieve Symptoms With These Tips: If you have the measles, make sure to pay close attention to how the disease develops and watch out for possible complication.

Furthermore, to make yourself more comfortable you should follow the steps listed below:

1. Rest Often: Get the proper rest and get away from busy activities.
2. Make Use of a Humidifier: You should use a humidifier to alleviate a sore throat and cough.
3. Drink Liquids: Make sure you drink a lot of water, tea, and natural fruit juices in order to replace fluids that were lost due to sweating and fever.
4. Relax Your Eyes: If you find bright light to be irritating, as lots of people with measles do, keep the light levels low or put on sunglasses.

Additionally, refrain from watching television or using the computer since the light produced from the screens can be bothersome as well.

When to See Your Doctor: Contact your doctor if you believe you might have come in contact with the measles or if you have a rash that appears similar to the condition.
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CH Woods is the Executive Director of Organic and Environmental Products.
We provide organic and natural products with informative articles on health and environmental solutions