REMEDIES: Chicken pox, measles, and more - Homeopathy for childhood illnesses

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Chicken pox, measles, and more - Homeopathy for childhood illnesses

by Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH

 

Each child has their own pattern of falling ill and will experience

different symptoms in a childhood illness. For example, one child may

feel hot with a high fever, while another may feel chilly and shiver.

Another may be irritable, intolerant of any disturbance and need to be

kept warm, while another may feel achy and restless, may moan and

complain. One child may sweat profusely, be thirsty, and slightly

delirious; another may want company or prefer to be alone. Each child

with a fever or illness may need a different homeopathic remedy

depending on their emotional state and general symptoms.

 

A child whose temperature soars may look and feel very ill, therefore

giving more cause for concern, but is usually ill for a shorter time and

recovers sooner than one whose temperature is lower. My friend Maggi's

youngest boy always falls ill in a sudden and dramatic fashion. With the

mumps his temperature soared to 105°F within a matter of hours and he

was in a lot of pain from swollen glands. We gave him Jaborandi for a

day to alleviate the pain, he slept and drank a lot and was over his

mumps in two days with no further assistance from us! His older sister

was unwell for several days (but not feverish) before her mumps

appeared! And then her temperature never rose above 100°F. She was ill

for a week altogether and needed Pulsatilla to help her during the acute

phase of the illness and Phosphoric acid during the convalescent stage

to help her get her vitality back.

 

Homeopathic treatment can help at all stages of a childhood illness:

with an itchy rash or painful, swollen glands; with an accompanying

cough or sore, sticky eyes; and children usually recover more quickly

and easily-and without complications.

 

Antibiotic treatment is ineffective for viral infections (except scarlet

fever which is bacterial) and will only add to your child's stress load.

Avoid them during this time and use homeopathic remedies to help

stimulate your child's inner healer.

 

Chicken pox

Chicken pox generally occurs in a mild form in young babies-the younger

they are the milder it is. Some babies have only a couple of spots. It

starts with a fever, loss of appetite, and some irritability. As the

spots come out they form blisters which are itchy and go through a pus

stage before crusting over. Dress your child in loose cotton clothes and

cut their fingernails or use mitts on a baby to prevent scratching, as

chicken pox rash can leave scars.

 

German measles

German measles, or rubella, is generally a short-lived, mild infection.

A faint pink rash of tiny spots starts behind the ears or on the face

and spreads down the body. It may be accompanied by watery eyes and

swollen glands at the back of the neck and/or behind the ears, under the

arms or in the groin. Avoid contact with pregnant women while your child

has German measles and notify pregnant women with whom you were in

contact in the three-week period before the spots came out (when your

child was incubating rubella), as rubella can cause birth defects.

 

Measles

If you suspect your baby is incubating measles look for small spots like

grains of sand (known as Koplick's spots) in the mouth, inside the

cheeks. Measles lasts up to two weeks. It starts with a high fever and

watery, red eyes that are sensitive to light. The rash will appear a few

days later, starting behind the ears and spreading down the body, and as

it does so the fever will begin to drop. It is a blotchy, itchy rash

with raised spots in the blotches. Children need careful nursing through

measles to reduce the possibility of complications (cough, earache,

etc.) developing. Do keep a child with measles and sore eyes out of

bright light, with curtains partially closed and lights dimmed.

 

Mumps

Mumps usually occurs as a mild childhood infection, especially in

infants. The most common (and often the first) symptom is the swelling

of one or both of the salivary glands (in front of the ear and just

above the angle of the jaw), which gives a hamster-cheeked appearance.

The glands under the tongue and jaw may also swell. Give drinks through

a straw or from a bottle if it is painful to open the mouth. Wrap a hot

water bottle in a towel and let your child lie on it to soothe painful

swellings.

 

Roseola

Roseola is a mild, infectious illness that rarely needs treating. The

rash is very similar to German measles, and the two are sometimes

confused. In German measles the rash appears with the fever, and in

roseola it appears when the fever has come down.

 

Scarlet fever

This highly infectious disease is caused by the streptococcus bacteria,

and, although it is rare nowadays, when it comes, it can sweep through

whole neighborhoods or schools. The symptoms are a sore throat, followed

a day or two later by a rash of tiny spots which begins on the neck and

chest and spreads over the whole body, giving the skin a texture like

sandpaper. There is vomiting, fever, and a flushed face (though the area

around the mouth may be pale). The tongue may also have a red and white

" strawberry " appearance. It is important that you consult your doctor if

you suspect your child has scarlet fever.

 

Whooping cough

The first signs of whooping cough are a slight fever and runny nose.

This is followed by a loose cough. The mucus then thickens, and

extended, uncontrollable coughing fits occur to bring it up, after which

the child draws air convulsively back into the lungs resulting in the

characteristic whoop. Whooping cough is often accompanied by retching

and/or vomiting. Complications in babies have been well publicized but

they are rare in children over a year old. Young babies may not be able

to breathe in properly after a coughing fit and may also find feeding

difficult if they vomit frequently.

 

Children who have been vaccinated can still contract whooping cough

although it tends not to be as severe; there is rarely the

characteristic whoop. This can lead to the unfortunate situation where

doctors prescribe repeated courses of

antibiotics for what is essentially a viral illness. Parents with

children who have a stubborn cough should always suspect a " mutated "

whooping cough, especially if antibiotic treatment has proved

ineffective. Whooping cough can last from three weeks to all winter long

and is a long and tiring infection for both child and parent. Since

homeopathic treatment is so effective, do consult a professional

homeopath if home prescribing does not quickly help.

 

Homeopathic treatment

 

The remedies below are those most commonly indicated for children with

childhood illnesses. These remedies can also be used for adults who are

experiencing similar symptoms with any type of illness.

 

Aconite. First stage of any childhood illness that starts suddenly and

is accompanied by a high fever; a runny nose; a hard, dry, croupy cough;

red, sore eyes and/or a sore throat. Rashes burn and itch. Children are

restless, anxious and fearful-and may even say they are scared of dying.

They are generally thirsty for cold water; feel worse for warmth and at

night; better for fresh air and for uncovering.

 

Antimonium crudum. Childhood illnesses are accompanied by a tickling

cough and nausea. Children are sulky and extremely irritable, they do

not want to be touched or examined, or even looked at. They have cracks

at the corners of their mouth and/or nostrils. The tongue may be

white-as if it has been painted. They are drowsy, thirstless, and worse

in a hot room.

 

Antimonium tartaricum. Chicken pox where the rash is slow to come out.

Children are irritable and drowsy. They are very sweaty and nauseous,

and develop a stubborn cough, which is loose, loud, and rattling. There

is lots of mucus that can't be brought up.

 

Apis. The rash is slow to come out; when it does it itches and stings.

Face and eyelids are puffy and red. Affected parts (rash, glands, etc.)

are puffy also and itch and sting. Children are extremely restless,

anxious, clingy, and cry out in their sleep. They are generally

thirstless; cannot bear the heat or pressure of any sort-they do not

want to be touched. They have a high fever with scanty urine, and feel

better for cold and cool bathing.

 

Arsenicum. For restless, anxious, chilly children who want to be

covered. They are terribly weak and only want hot drinks which they will

only drink a sip at a time. They may have diarrhea with the fever. In

mumps, the breasts and testes may be swollen.

 

Belladonna. The illness starts suddenly and can be accompanied by

bedwetting; a runny nose; a cough; sore throat; a throbbing headache

and/or burning, dry, red eyes. The head is hot, the face red, and the

extremities feel cold. The pupils are dilated, and the tongue is red

with white spots (like a strawberry). The rash is red, hot, dry,

burning, and very itchy. Children are restless and irritable, and

delirious with a high, dry fever. With mumps the glands are hot and

swollen and sensitive to touch. Children are generally thirstless

(although they may ask for lemonade). They feel worse in the afternoon

and cannot bear light, noise, or pressure. They like rest and warmth.

 

Bryonia alba. Illness is slow to develop-the rash is slow to appear or

doesn't come out fully. There is a hard, dry, painful cough, which is

worse for movement and may be accompanied by a bursting, frontal

headache. Children are irritable and want to be alone, they do not want

to be disturbed or moved. They are generally thirsty for large

quantities (gulping them) at infrequent intervals. They are worse for

heat-or movement of any sort.

 

Calcarea phosphorica. Children are weak and tired after a childhood

illness. They are irritable, hard to please and have no " go " in them.

They are pale and anemic and can't wake up in the mornings.

 

Coccus cacti. Whooping cough with a choking, racking, tickling cough.

Coughing fits end in retching and coughing up copious mucus which hangs

in strings. They are generally worse in stuffy rooms and around

midnight; better from fresh air.

 

Drosera. Whooping cough (or for cough after measles) with severe,

violent cough with vomiting and nosebleeds. Face may go blue with each

coughing fit. Voice becomes hoarse. The cough is worse when lying down,

talking or

laughing; better from fresh air.

 

Euphrasia. Measles with very sore, swollen, burning, watery eyes which

are sensitive to light. The nose streams also but does not irritate.

There may be a harsh, dry cough, which is worse in the day and better

when lying down, and a headache, which is better once the rash appears.

 

Gelsemium. For measles that comes on slowly in warm weather with cold or

flu-like symptoms that are accompanied by a great weariness and

heaviness. The eyes are swollen and watery. Children are generally

apathetic and thirstless and feverish with chills. They feel better

after urinating.

 

Ipecacuanha. For measles where the rash is slow to come out and there is

a constant nausea (with a clear, red tongue) which isn't helped by

vomiting. There is a rattly cough (with nausea) which is dry and comes

in fits which end in choking and gagging. Children are hard to please,

and are generally thirstless and worse for heat.

 

Jaborandi. Mumps with exhaustion. Glands swollen making swallowing and

talking difficult. Profuse sweating and salivation (with a dry mouth).

Breasts, ovaries, or testicles become painful. Generally thirsty; worse

for cold and after sweating.

 

Kali bichromicum. For the later stages of measles where there is

stubborn mucus which is stringy and ropy, with swollen glands and/or

earache and deafness from mucus in the Eustachian tubes.

 

Kali sulphuricum. Whooping cough with a rattly, wheezy chest. The mucus

(from nose and chest) is yellow and thick, or yellow-green. It is hard

to cough up; it comes into the throat and is swallowed. Children are

worse for getting over-heated (especially indoors) and better in the

fresh air. The tongue is often slimy and yellow-coated.

 

Lachesis. Left-sided mumps with glands that are very painful and

sensitive to the slightest touch or pressure. The throat is very sore

and it is difficult to swallow anything except for hard foods like toast

or chips. Children are much worse from heat and when they wake after a sleep.

 

Mercurius solubilis. Glands swollen and painful, especially on the right

side. Pains shoot to ears and/or neck. Illness may be accompanied by a

runny nose; earache; sticky eyes; sore throat. Profuse, smelly sweating

and salivation. Metallic taste in mouth (may have mouth ulcers) and

smelly breath. The tongue is swollen and coated and may show indents

around the edges from the teeth. Generally feels worse at night, for

extremes of temperature (for heat and cold), and for sweating; better

for resting.

 

Phosphoric acid. Children are weak and tired after a childhood illness.

They can appear depressed, are apathetic and uncommunicative. They are

pale with dark rings under their eyes and have no appetite.

 

Phosphorus. Childhood illness with a bad cough, which is dry, hacking,

and tickling. It is worse for cold air and any change in temperature.

Great thirst for cold drinks, especially ice-cold water. Face is very

flushed with a high fever. Children may want to play in spite of being

quite ill, or they can become apathetic and debilitated. They need lots

of reassurance and love to be cuddled and massaged. They are generally

worse in the mornings and the evenings.

 

Phytolacca. Mumps with glands that are hard and swollen. The pains

radiate to the ears on swallowing; they are better for cold drinks and

worse for hot drinks. The throat hurts, especially when sticking out the

tongue. The tongue is red-tipped, and the breath smells. There is

copious sweating and salivation. Children are floppy and tearful. Pains

may spread to breasts, ovaries, and testicles.

 

Pulsatilla. The illness is accompanied by swollen glands; thick, yellow

mucus; bedwetting; a cough which is dry at night and loose in the

morning; sticky eyes; earache and/or a fever. Symptoms are changeable

and worse in the evenings. In mumps the breasts, ovaries, or testicles

are painful. Children are weepy, whiny, pathetic, and clingy. Small

children want to be carried everywhere. They are generally thirstless;

worse for warmth and when lying down at night; better for fresh air.

 

Rhus toxicodendron. Illness is accompanied by swollen glands; aching

joints and/or sore eyes. The rash is hot, dry, and very itchy and causes

great restlessness. It isn't alleviated by scratching it. The tongue has

a red tip. Children are restless and depressed. In mumps the left side

is more swollen. They are generally worse for cold and at night; better

for warmth and a hot bath or shower. They like to be tucked in bed and

don't like to be uncovered-their symptoms are worse then.

 

Sulphur. Illness is accompanied by bedwetting; earache (on the left

side); sore, red eyes; fever and/or runny nose. Tongue is white with a

red tip and edges. Rash is red, hot, burns, and itches maddeningly.

Children are sweaty, restless, and irritable. They are generally thirsty

for cold drinks (usually water); are worse in the mid-morning and worse

for heat and bathing; better for fresh air.

 

Zincum metallicum. The rash, especially with measles and scarlet fever,

doesn't come out properly, or as it recedes the child becomes lethargic.

Children are fretful and easily startled. They are generally restless,

exhausted and twitchy-suffering from restless legs which are worse in

bed at night. They may have a bad headache, which is better for pressure.

 

Dosage of homeopathic medicines

Tablets or granules can be given on the tongue or diluted in water.

• Give one dose (of the 6 or 30 potency) every 2 hours for up to 6

doses, then three times daily once it has started to help.

• Stop once symptoms are considerably better.

• Change the remedy after a day if there is no improvement, or if it has

stopped helping; or seek advice from a homeopathic practitioner.

 

Seek help if

• your feverish, sick child (especially a baby under six months old) is

drinking less than usual or refusing drinks and has become lethargic.

• a baby under six months old has a fever.

• an older baby has a fever of over 104°F that doesn't respond to

sponging, homeopathic treatment, or conventional treatment within 12 hours.

• your child's fever is 105°F or higher.

• there is a lack of reaction (listlessness and limpness) which can

imply that a serious illness such as pneumonia or meningitis has developed.

• your child is screaming and is obviously in pain but you don't know where.

• a rash becomes infected.

 

A child who doesn't recover well from a childhood illness always needs

constitutional treatment from a homeopathic practitioner.

 

***

National Center for Homeopathy

http://www.homeopathic.org/crart.htm#Todd