With seasonal changes come various viral and bacterial infections and it is crucial to maintain personal hygiene to keep them at a bay, especially in these pandemic days. Though wearing mask, frequent hand sanitization and maintaining social distance became a practice of sorts, there are still other viral infections that might be lurking around and posing danger especially for the children and young adults.
One such viral infection that is currently doing rounds is Chickenpox and it can affect those who haven’t had it before or been vaccinated against it.
Also Read: Chickenpox Vaccine: Who Needs It?
What Is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that is caused due to varicella-zoster virus. Though it mostly affects children, it can be seen in adults too. This condition presents with red bright blisters and extremely itchy rash on the skin, within 10 to 21 days of contracting the virus. Few children might also suffer from mild to moderate grade fever.
These blisters eventually pop, leak the fluid before turning into a dried, crusty, scab.
These scabs unfortunately do not go away easily and may take from few weeks to years for disappearing completely. The fading away of chickenpox scars mostly depends upon on how fast the new skin cells get generated. Dermatologists recommend intake of vitamin C and mineral supplements, staying hydrated for dealing with this skin condition.
Here are few home remedies that can come in handy:
Home Remedies For Chickenpox:
Lemon, Aloe Vera and Honey Pack:
Ingredients:
½ tsp lemon juice
1 tsp natural, organic honey
1 tsp fresh aloe vera gel
Method:
In a bowl, mix all three ingredients and apply it on the scars with a cotton ball
If you have more scars on the face, use it is a face pack by gently spreading it all over
Wait till it dries up completely. Wash it with cold water and pat dry
Repeat it daily for at least two weeks to see best results
How It Works?
Lemon is loaded with vitamin C which triggers the production of fresh collagen and the antiviral properties of this juice penetrate deep into the skin, help in clearing dark spots and lightening the skin. Honey loaded with natural moisturizing properties hydrates skin while aloe vera goes deep into the epidermis, triggers regeneration of new skin cells and lightens up the spots.
Also Read: Pruritus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Pack
Ingredients:
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon juice
Method:
Mix baking soda and lemon juice. It turns frothy
Apply it over the blemished area and wait for 30 minutes to dry completely
Wash it plain cold water, pat dry
How It Works?
Baking soda is amazing exfoliator and provides numerous benefits to the skin health. The antibacterial properties of baking soda help in clearing scars and when mixed with lemon juice, it turns into a good scrubbing agent for removing all dead skin cells.
Oats and Coconut Oil Pack
Ingredients:
2 tsp plain oats powdered
2 tsp virgin coconut oil
Method:
Mix powdered oats and coconut oil in to a paste
Rub it gently on the scars and leave it for 20 minutes
Wash it with water and dry
How It Works?
Oats work as an amazing scrub agent and when mixed with coconut oil, it turns in to an incredible moisturizer. Oatmeal not only provides lighter skin tone but also clears dark spots left behind due to the infection. Virgin coconut oil is like a natural ointment that can heal, soothe scars and protects the skin layers from microbial invasion. However, if you are still recuperating from the infection and have blisters filled with fluid, refrain from using this remedy.