When one of our kids becomes ill, we are eager to find the best treatment to get them well again. Scarlet fever is distinguished by its rash, itch, and painful throat, and when it manifests, we go into a frenzy to try to stop it. Since 2015, there has been a sharp rise in scarlet fever cases brought on by a new, aggressive strain, which has increased the frequency of this frenzy.[i] Fortunately, since the pre-antibiotic Middle Ages, we've come a long way and learned how to treat both the symptoms and the infection.
How Do You Get Scarlet Fever?
Children become infected by the common Streptococcus bacteria, which also causes strep throat. Scarlet fever will develop in kids who are sensitive to this pathogen.[ii] They consequently experience a sunburn-like rash across their face, neck, back, and chest, but not around their lips.
After six days the skin starts to peels off, alongside other symptoms:
Common Symptoms
Often Scarlet Fever is accompanied by a:
- Red Rash
- Flushed face
- Sore throat
- Itchy skin
- Swollen neck glands.
- High Fever (101°F)
- Abdominal pain
What Do I Do When My Child has Scarlet Fever?
Scarlet fever is contagious, [iii] and you should limit the contact your child has with friends and siblings. Separate their toothbrushes and the cutlery they use from the rest of that families to limit the spread of the infection. In addition, your child shouldn’t go out until it goes away.
Treatment requires about 10-days of antibiotics. They may improve sooner than that, but continue giving them the medicine. Wait 24 hours since their symptoms have passed before sending them back to school. [iv]
It is vital to address the bacteria because if it is left unattended, it can cause problems in the heart, kidney, and elsewhere.[v]
Treating Scarlet Fever Symptoms
With some severe discomfort, your child is probably looking for some relief. For this, there are some natural remedies you should try out before using dangerous painkillers:
- Apple Cider Vinegar has numerous health benefits, including the ability to heal a sore throat by warming it and adding cayenne pepper. ACV is made up of acetic acid, which also has the capability to treat infections in burn patients. [vi] Put Apple Cider Vinegar on a cotton cloth and apply it to the Scarlet Fever Rash to reduce its effects.
- Ingredients such as raw honey, raspberry leaves, and mint added to hot water and consumed 2-3 times a day will improve sore throats.[vii]
- Water vapor and humidifiers are effective at protecting your child from the dry air which provokes coughs further irritating their throat. Adding essential oils like lavender oil will have an added benefit to reduce the inflammation in their throat.[viii]
- Lavender Oil is good for many things. Using the property linalool, it reduces the symptoms of the Scarlet Fever by moisturizing the dry and itchy rash. [ix] To apply lavender oil add 2% of a carrier oil like olive or almond oil to treat the rash. [x]
- Clip Your Childs Fingernails to keep him or her from further damaging their skin from itching it too deeply
- Soups, teas, and soft foods will maintain their nutrition to heal quickly, and warm fluids, like Honey-lemon tea will soothe the throat.
- Hydration is necessary to maintain a functioning human. Also, drinking can be an effective way to address a hoarse or scratchy throat.[xi]
- Stay away from irritants like cleaning supplies and of course cigarettes, as if you needed another reason to not smoke around your child.[xii]
Conclusion
It can be heart-wrenching to see your child go through all of this pain. When trying to treat their symptoms it’s not only important to listen to your doctor’s instructions, but also listen to your intuition and your child as the best care can come from the compassion you two share.
[i] Fernandez C. Scarlet fever returns as family doctors are warned to watch out. Mail Online. 2016. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3501785/Scarlet-fever-returns-family-doctors-warned-watch-comeback-Victorian-disease.html. Accessed March 6, 2017.
[ii] Scarlet Fever. Kidshealthorg. 2017. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/scarlet-fever.html. Accessed March 6, 2017.
[iii] IBID.
[iv] IBID.
[v] Scarlet fever – Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. 2014. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scarlet-fever/basics/definition/con-20030976. Accessed March 6, 2017.
[vi] Halstead F, Rauf M, Moiemen N et al. The Antibacterial Activity of Acetic Acid against Biofilm-Producing Pathogens of Relevance to Burns Patients. Plosone. 2017. Available at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0136190. Accessed March 8, 2017.
[vii] IBID.
[viii] Burke S. 14 Natural Pain Relievers. Spine-health. 2016. Available at: http://www.spine-health.com/blog/14-natural-pain-relievers. Accessed March 6, 2017.
[ix] Berliocchi L, Russo R, Levato A et al. Chapter 17 (–)‐Linalool Attenuates Allodynia in Neuropathic Pain Induced by Spinal Nerve Ligation in C57/Bl6 Mice. International Review of Neurobiology. 2009:221-235. doi:10.1016/s0074-7742(09)85017-4.
[x] Lavender. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2015. Available at: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender. Accessed March 8, 2017.
[xi] Burke S. 14 Natural Pain Relievers. Spine-health. 2016. Available at: http://www.spine-health.com/blog/14-natural-pain-relievers. Accessed March 6, 2017.
[xii] 5 Natural Cures For Scarlet Fever – Treat Scarlet fever Naturally | Find Home Remedy & Supplements. Findhomeremedycom. 2017. Available at: http://www.findhomeremedy.com/top-5-natural-cures-for-scarlet-fever/. Accessed March 6, 2017.