Our chickenpox quarantine unit has thinned out a bit, but just as we thought the itchy boils were on their way out, two more kids were sent down to live with us after contracting fresh cases. We now only have six children down here, but the two newbies, Maria and Manisha are in a lot of pain, with flu like symptoms and itching all over. Thangmaigam, Sharavan, Someshakar, Karun, and Swetha have been 'cured' and were sent back upstairs to make room in the infirmary.
Several times a day we strip, clean, and apply calamine lotion to the ones who have fresh pox. I feel terrible because there is not a whole lot we can do but give a tablet for the pain and apply the calamine. The pox are multiplying and spreading quickly to every part of their body including under their knickers. I can't imagine being in their position, young children with a painful illness and no mother or father to care for them.
Mercy applying the turmeric oil to Swetha
The other morning I walked into a room full of yellow children. Amma had made a paste from turmeric and oil and the kids were slathering each other with it. Turmeric can be used as an ayurvedic treatment to dry up the blisters and quicken the healing process. I have to admit, it was pretty amusing to see a room full of naked yellow children. After the paste dried, they each bathed with water neem leaves and burned their chickenpox clothes in the pit out back. Though an unfortunate time for these kids, I have once again learned a lot through it. I now know what to do in the future if my own kids get chickenpox, and in the process learned a few more Indian secrets.
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