What are the stages of Chickenpox

It was in his third year of nursery that my son caught Chicken Pox.  In prior years, I'd seen the notification for the number of cases in the building go up and wondered if this would be the year my son would catch it.  

As the prior years pass I wonder if he's immune to Chicken Pox or whether he'd had it so mild that I hadn't noticed or if that one spot on his face was the one and only, I was very wrong!

The stages of Chickenpox

When they came, they came in force!!

Day 1 and you just know that spot, that spot right there looking a bit pus-filled, rather round and looking NOTHING like a white head... that could well be the start, and then within the hour of seeing that one spot on the back of the neck, a friend appears near the ear.  

My boy was in good spirits, he was happy, laughing, driving me crazy so maybe that's just a spot, so let's check the tummy.

Oh, here we have 3 spots that seem to appear before my eyes and off to the chemist I go to get some Calamine lotion and top up on Calpol.

The first chickenpox spots to arrive

Day 2 and we had a few more spots appear in what felt like every few hours!  The spots were also starting to appear on my boy's scalp causing him to scratch his head quite fiercely.  I managed to get him to stop scratching but he replaced it with rubbing or 'stroking' as he called it.

Day 2 of chickenpox

Day 3 and by the afternoon my boy was starting to feel the effects of  Chickenpox.  We had spent the morning in the fresh air and had a picnic out in the garden but by early afternoon the events had started to take their toll.  

My boy spent the afternoon confused, complaining of a sore throat and generally being uncomfortable in his own skin.  He slept at random points in the day, drank lots and lots of water and spent the afternoon having lots of cuddles and love.

Day 3 of Chicken Pox

Day 4 was the worst day for my boy, he was very quiet and spent most of the day watching films in bed.  Spots had started to appear in his mouth and on his lips which was making it difficult for him to smile.  He continued to be confused and uncomfortable and spent most of his time just his underwear.  He did seem to enjoy putting the cream on and welcomed his Calpol today.

It was around now that we explained to him that these spots would not be here forever, and would soon start to scab over and then disappear.  We explained the cream was to help with the itching and if he could resist the urge to scratch or pick them we would treat him to an extra special present.  He chose Jurassic World Lego.  

For me, this was my worst day.  I know how that sounds, and it's not about me, but it is, it's about me, my partner and my son.  It's about us, as his parents helpless and just being put on the sideline whilst our baby boy suffers from this horrid disease.  

My boy was really struggling this day with his throat.  I called the doctor and was told to continue to keep him cool, give him cream for the itching and Calpol for temperature but if I was concerned to bring him in.

Our worst day - Day 4 of Chickenpox

Day 5 and the first of the spots had started to scab over - thank goodness, but we are also getting new ones just starting to blister.  

Max started to feel better in himself on day five, but still contagious and so restricted to our garden.

Day 5 old chickenpox scabbing and new ones still coming out.

Day 6 and my boy is back to being himself, such a relief to me, he can drive me batty as much as he likes right now!  

Still waiting for the last spot to scab over before taking him out, and it is the quarantine period that is now starting to take its toll on him.

Day 6 Chickenpox starting to scab over

Day 7 Scabs

Finally on Day 8 the last of the spots that had come out, which were on his feet and some rather large ones at that, decided it was time to scab over and allowed us all to go out and about again!!

Stomach clearing up nicely

Still there, first of his spots 10 days later

Day 11 and slowly fading away.

Day 14 and the first of the spots are finally beginning to fade away.

We had a horrid time with these spots.  Apparently, I had it really bad when I was a child but I don't remember, all I remember is being promised a pull-along telephone if I didn't pick any of my spots - and you know what, in cases like this, I'm all for bribery!  

I never picked my spots and my son never picked his!

I've summarised below the stages of my boy's Chickenpox - it was not a pleasant couple of weeks, but crafting, movies and lots and lots of love got us through it.

I hope you find this information useful.  I recommend lots of love, lots of cuddles and lots of understanding.

The stages of chickenpox