Childhood Diseases Part 1

By Elvian and Jacinta at Mullum Herbals

Generally, allopathic medicine has treated childhood diseases as meaningless invasions of germs requiring elimination at all costs. A more holistic approach understands that these diseases are necessary for the healthy development of the immune system and act as a stimulus for the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical growth of the child. As such, these diseases become transitional markers in a child’s development.

Of course, if your child shows signs of immune weakness, like constant colds, sore throats and tummy upsets, and if she doesn’t bounce back to health quickly, these can be indicators that it is time to focus on your child’s immunity and general health, so that when the common childhood diseases strike there are resources within the body to return to good health.

Many parents worry when their child has a fever. However, fever is the body’s protective mechanism of burning up and eliminating toxins. These toxins can be a result of unhealthy living or a direct symptom of a virus or bacteria. Watch fevers, especially in young children, as very high fevers can cause damage. Take your child’s temperature and try to keep it below 39.5 degrees C. Use cooling cloths, herbs or homoeopathics. If you bring the fever down quickly with a tepid bath ensure that your child does not become chilled.

If your child’s symptoms are severe then seek professional help.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella virus, a member of the herpes virus family. It is an acute, highly contagious disease and is acquired by direct contact with infected blister fluid or by inhalation of respiratory droplets, eg, an infected child’s sneeze. A person inhales these droplets, the virus enters the lungs and is carried through the bloodstream to the skin where it causes a rash. While the virus is in the bloodstream (before the rash begins) it causes typical virus symptoms like fever, fatigue, joint pains, headache and swollen glands. These symptoms usually ease by the time the rash develops.

The time from first contact with this disease to the time the symptoms appear, called the incubation period, is two to three weeks and the person is contagious from two days or so before the rash appears through until all the sores are healed.

Chickenpox usually begins with a slight to moderate fever. Other symptoms may include headache, backache, loss of appetite, an upset stomach or vomiting. It typically manifests in a rash of little red spots that enlarge and become filled with a clear fluid. Usually they appear on the back and chest first, then spread to the extremities. After about eight to twelve hours the fluid in the spot becomes cloudy and bursts leaving a scab or crust. This crust peels off in five to seven days, and this is the time the patient experiences severe itching. If the crusts are prematurely scratched off this may cause scarring. New spots emerge every day for several days, so it may take a week or more until new lesions stop appearing and the existing ones crust over.

Treatment recommendations

When your child has chickenpox, isolate him/her until all the potentially contagious sores have healed over. Common sense nursing care applies at this time: plenty of sleep, lots of friendly liquids (no sugar or carbonated drinks as they weaken immunity). Cooling cloths, herbs and homeopathics can help ease the fever and body ache stage. Use plenty of soothing creams and herbs once the itch starts — with lots of love and distraction techniques!

The itching can be very intense and it is very important to stop your child scratching as this is the best way to prevent scarring. Keep the fingernails short or try gloves on toddlers to prevent the scabs being picked off. Tepid baths can be incredibly soothing, especially if you add herbs (see our suggestions below).

As chickenpox is viral, we prescribe antiviral herbs that can support the body. These herbs can also be used preventatively if there is an epidemic in your area or if your child has been in contact with the disease. Treating each child individually in each case is always best, yet some common remedies successfully used in chickenpox are listed below.

Internal relief

Homoeopathics:
• Aconite — if the child is feverish and anxious after initial contact.
• Belladonna — if the fever is very high and the skin is hot, the child may be listless.
• Rhus tox — especially helps the body ache symptoms.
• Sulphur, urtica urens, or ledum may also be indicated depending on the child’s symptoms.

Herbs:
• Cat’s claw (una decario), St John’s wort, olive leaf and echinacea — antiviral herbs.
• Boneset — relieves body ache and assists in lowering fevers.
• Burdock — helps break fevers and reduces skin damage.
• Nettle — strengthening tonic and exceptional skin healer.

External relief

Homoeopathics:
• Urtica urens — relieves itch.
• Sulphur — relieves itch and body aches.

Herbs:
• Ledum tincture — diluted and dabbed onto spots with a cotton bud can give instant itch relief, it also aids healing of the area.
• Aloe Vera gel — relieves itching and generally cools.
• Tumeric paste — soothes when applied directly to the spots.
• Sandalwood (paste/diluted essential oil/cream) — relieves itch, heals and cools.
• Chickweed (tea/tincture/cream) — relieves itch and soothes.
• Calendula (oil/tincture/cream) — relieves itch, heals the skin and helps prevent scarring.
• Lavender (oil/cream/tea) — relieves itch, cools, heals the skin and prevents infection.
Baths:
• Burdock, nettle, and/or peppermint — make into a strong tea and add to the bath.
• Oat meal (rolled oats) — tie oats in a muslin cloth or old stocking and put under the running tap as you fill the bath or gently dab bag or stocking directly onto the skin while wet.


Published in byronchild (Kindred) issue 13, March 05