Natural health with Megan Sheppard

Three children have been sent home with chickenpox at my daughter’s childcare, so I am keeping her home to be on the safe side. What symptoms should I watch for?

Chickenpox is caused by the herpes virus, Varicella-zoster. As you are already aware, it is highly contagious. The symptoms you need to watch for can range from a spiked temperature, headache, lethargy, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and of course the dreaded spots. The rash appears initially as being flat and pinkish-red in colour, and then forms clusters of tiny pimple-like blisters. Typically the rash begins on the chest and back then spreads to the limbs, and can even appear on the face, head, neck, and genitals.

A child infected with chickenpox is considered to be contagious from up to two days before the appearance of the first symptoms until every single blister is dry and covered with a crusty scab.

At this point, it is a good idea to start with an immune supportive approach — that way your daughter’s body should cope well in preventing or dealing with a viral attack. Camu camu, very rich in vitamin C, has been shown to eliminate herpes-related outbreaks faster than the pharmaceutical drug, Acyclovir.

The main issue with little ones and chickepox is to prevent the picking and scratching of spots, since this can lead to infection and scarring. Citrus fruits and tomatoes have been shown to have a stimulating effect on any rash or blisters during an outbreak caused by a strain of herpes virus, so avoid these until she is in the clear.

Chickenpox generally only lasts from one to two weeks and is usually free of complications. Your best bet to prevent the picking of itchy spots is to keep your daughter’s nails short and clean, and if she is subconsciously scratching or just can’t help herself, you may have to convince her to wear cotton gloves or cotton socks over her hands. To soothe itching, bathe your daughter in a shallow tepid bath infused with chamomile and peppermint tea bags. Your local health store should carry Camu camu, or you can buy capsules through Here’s Health (www.hereshealth.ie; 021 4278101). You can open the capsules and add them to juice or smoothies for little ones.

What is the cause of birthmarks and little white spots on the skin?

It is important to first distinguish between birthmarks and pigmentation issues such as melasma. Birthmarks are moles or blemishes that are present on the skin from birth. The medical name for a birthmark is a nevus, and a significant percentage of newborn babies are born with one or more of these marks.

A nevus can either be red or pigmented — when the birthmark is red, it is considered to be an abnormality in the blood vessels under the skin; when the birthmark is brown, it is caused by a cluster of pigmented cells under the skin. If a birthmark changes considerably in shape, colour, or size it is important to get it checked.

Melasma (also known as chloasma) is the term given to skin pigmentation issues, which are often related to pregnancy and other hormonal changes. A quarter of women between the ages of 20 and 40 will develop this condition, while only 5% of males develop melasma. It looks a little like large flat freckles, and generally appears symmetrically across the forehead, cheeks, nose, jawline, and upper lip.

White spots are thought to be a result of the autoimmune disorder vitiligo. The white appearance is due to a lack of melanocytes, or the pigment producing cells, in the skin. These white spots can occur anywhere in the bod when the cells responsible for pigmentation, melanocytes, are destroyed by the immune system. Vitiligo appears to be linked with emotional and physical trauma, nutritional deficiencies, and even fungal disorders. Research suggests there is also a genetic link. Following a specific Autoimmune Protocol is a good place to start — there are many books and websites on how to do this.