Just under a week ago I went to the GP who diagnosed me with the start of chicken pox which he warned me, being an adult would be a very nasty experience and signed me off work for 2 weeks. He wasnt wrong, I woke up the next morning completely covered in blisters everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE)and over the coming days these got worse and worse leaving me in severe pain etc. My scalp is/was the worse as there is hardly any areas that wasnt blistered.

The only advice the GP could give was Paracetamol for the fever and pain & antihistamine for the itching.

Some of the blisters have now started to scab over there are however a large number on my head that have become large and appeared to be filled with white-puss and very painful/throbbing.

I phoned the GP who was reluctant to have me back in the surgery so prescribed antibiotics over the phone just in case they did become infected or though he said it sounded nothing to worry about.

In short - has anybody had experience of white puss-filled chickenpox blisters, is this not part of the normal 'process' or do they indeed sound infected?

Yes - it's normal but whatever you do, don't touch them! I had the shingles last Christmas which is basically "Chicken Pox 2: The Return".

I self-medicated with Zovirax cream and it really stopped the itching.

Make sure that you put a fresh towel under your head whenever you sleep. The blisters will burst of their own accord. Forcing them to burst will leave you with scars.

For some reason, drinking hot Vimto really helped. There's some ingredient in Vimto which is a mild stimulant, believe it or not.

My doctor actually gave me anti-viral tablets too. Go back to your doctor and ask for anti-viral medication.

Thanks..

The weird thing is I had a small case of chickenpox about 1 week before my wedding 7 months ago...fortunately it never really kicked off and never got to my face...apparently only a really small number of people have 2 attacks (and there was me thinking I got away lightly).

My GP doesnt want me anywhere near the surgery and keeps reiterating that paracetamol and antihistamine is the ONLY treatment (I knew about anti-viral stuff too but he just shook his head and said it wouldnt do any good).

Thanks for the piece of mind about these blisters...my body and legs dont hurt to much its mainly my scalp (which is tinglingand the only place white and pussy), mouth (which hurts the most) and my gentlemans secret weapon which giving me any jip

oatmeal baths help also.

I'm pretty sure that there should be some antivirals available...

Oh, and if it's a viral infection, antibiotics won't help (they're active against bacteria), unless you get a subsequent bacterial infection due to your immune system being weakened.

EmancipationLover said:

He said that the anti viral stuff works with kids chickenpox but wont touch adult pox as it is far stronger and more dangerous (pneumonia, brain swelling etc as complications).

The Antibiotics were to stop my scalp becoming infected and arent to treat the actual pox.

I think that was the point of my original question which I never explained properly - does this white puss mean they ARE infected?

Wow!

Do u have any idea how u got it?

Sounds a bit infected , keep taking the antibiotics and drink shit loads of water , get well soon

I'm so sorry...I had the chicken pox when I was 17 and it was horrible. It's going to be at least six weeks before you're rid of all signs of scabs, etc. Make sure you stay out of the sun and DON'T pick at anything...you'll get scars for sure.

Hang in there...I know it's horrible. If you can get some Selenium from the vitamin store it might help get you well faster. It's got specific anti-viral properties.

OMG- I am so sorry to hear they returned.. I remember when you posted about having them before your wedding. I felt so bad then.. I have never had chicken pox.. I have heard they really suck as an adult..
I do not have any helpful advice but I am sorry to hear about what you are going through..
Take care- hope you get better soon..

ChickenPox:

Unless your under the years of 10, it's a mark of the beast.

StephenColbert said:

What the hell is Stephen Colbert doing here now?

MickG said:

POSTING FOOL!

I feel for you purpledove. I had it about 10yrs ago and I wanted to die! The only thing that gave me some relief was the Aveeno bath. I would sit in the tub and just cry...

I think the pus thing is the infection coming out thru the skin. If you squeeze them you get pockmarks. What does the doc say about the pus?



get well soon.

Wear winter gloves when you sleep - because you WILL scratch yourself when you sleep, and you don't want pockmarks or blisters.

Justin1972UK said:

I had shingles early this year...wow that shit sucked. My doctor gave me antibiotics that cleared it up.

Drink plenty of fluid to help flush the bacteria out of your system

I got Chicken Pox when i was 18! Such a bad time to have it, i wish i just had it when i was a kid when was a bit less self conscious

I felt so lonely cause there was no one around to really take care of me so for the most part i had to do it all myself- which was hard cause i remember that i could barely breathe and just making myself a banana smoothie for breakfast was a struggle, i had to sit down cause i'd run out of breathe! It was horrendous.

The one thing i did look forward to was when my nana would come by and put topical solution on my chicken box on my back. It was like the highlight of my day- i was just happy to have someone come by, instead of just me and the tv all day. She'd also make Barley water which in India they use to flush out toxins...smells putrid, but if you hold your nose, and put a small amount with some fresh orange juice, it isn't so bad.

Also at the end to help with scars, I bathed in daab water (coconut water)...another thing that Indians use to help clear the skin. That was fun i wanted to eat the damn coconut!!

Good luck, rest well, and relax until it all just starts to heal.

lilmissmissy said:

StephenColbert said:

Typically, pus indicates infection. Pus consist of white blood cells, which are a response to bacterial infection.

What I don't know is if that's normal for chickenpox. I've never had them. If the fluid is normally clear or waxy, and in your case it's pus, then yes, they're infected in a I-should-take-antibiotics kind of way.

In any case, the antibiotics aren't gonna hurt.

And at this point, yes, antivirals would likely be pointless.

I'm sorry. I've heard that adult chickenpox are just the worst damn thing ever.

I've nothing more to add to the good advice already given, but wanted to say I'm sorry you are ill and that I hope you will soon feel better.

2the9s said: