Yoga Treatment for Chicken Pox

MEANING

Chicken pox is a viral disease common in children between 1 to 10 years. Often symptoms of the Chicken pox are mistaken for measles. However, if there is fever, it is a sure sign that it is chicken pox. The disease is highly contagious and children should be kept in isolation during the healing process. Chicken pox is also known as Varicella disease.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• A slight fever along with pain in the legs and back are the first symptoms of chicken pox.
• Within a day, there will be small red papules on the chest and the back. At times, they appear even on the forehead. Pimples can turn to vesicles, but they dry up within 48 hours, leaving a brown crust.
• After a few days, you will notice eruptions.
• A slight cough is often detected in patients along with a decrease in appetite.
• Severe headache, vomiting, tiredness or a running nose are also symptoms of this disorder.
• It has also been noticed that some symptoms may appear 10 to 21 days after the eruptions have appeared.
• A mild fever accompanies the cold-like symptoms and it is followed by rashes on the trunk of the body. The fluid-filled blisters will appear and thereafter brown crusts will be noticed.

CAUSES
The Varicella-Zoster virus is the main cause of chicken pox. The causes of this disorder are not always apparent and it is often associated with swallowed air, foods rich in carbohydrate or overfeeding. If you have a sensitive skin, you are prone to this disease. The use of a strong soap or a long bubble bath or prolonged illness can also cause this disease.

YOGIC MANAGEMENT
Though there is no direct benefit of Yoga in this infectious disease, yet regular practice of Yoga and Pranayama can help you to strengthen your immune system and escape the attack of this malaise.

HOME REMEDIES

• One grain of Haridra powder can be added to the karela juice and this should be given to the patient twice daily.
• Oatmeal is extremely important for reducing the itching sensation. An oatmeal bath can offer some relief. You can prepare an oatmeal bath for the patient. Two cups of oatmeal are to be cooked in two liters of water. The mixture should be put inside a cloth bag. The cloth bag should be kept floating on the water until the water becomes turbid. However, the bag must not tear in the process.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

• The Swarnamakshika Bhasma is good for chicken pox. You can take 120 mg of the medicine along with the decoction of tree barks of Kanchanar every morning and evening.
• You can also take 20 ml of Eladyarishta with water after each meal. In the second week, Indukala vati with water can expedite the healing process.
• If you want some relief from itching, you can mix the roots of yellow dock with two cups of water and apply the decoction on the affected area.
• Yarrow is another element which helps in reducing the inflammation and helps to kill the bacteria.
• Herbal tea prepared with basil, marigold, chamomile and lemon balm along with a pinch of lemon, cinnamon and honey will help in the healing process.

CONCLUSION
The disease is common in small children. If there is an itching sensation accompanied by high fever, and the itching persists, a doctor should be consulted immediately. The child should be given proper rest and be made to take a neem bath to reduce the itching.