What are Measles Rashes?
Measles is also known as rubeola (Scientific), khasara / khasra (Hindi/Urdu), govar (Marathi), Tattammai (Tamil), Zhen (Chinese), sarampion (Spanish), sarampo (Portuguese), hama (Bengali), kor (Russian). Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus which is normally inhaled and is very common in childhood. The incubation period is about 14 days, and just before the rash appears spots can be seen in the mouth. It begins like a cold, with runny nose or cough, then a fever, and occasionally conjunctivitis occurs. Fever tends to become high as the rash comes out. The rash is characterized by flat, brown-red spots, which usually begin behind the ears and on the face. Initially pink in color, these rashes grow darker as time passes. The lymph nodes will become swollen and there will be little or no appetite; vomiting and diarrhea may occur in some cases. Measles spots are not itchy, but your child will feel profoundly unwell. In rare cases of great severity, high fever and delirium may occur. Complications of measles are common, and they include pneumonia, middle ear infections, and bronchitis. One serious but rare complication is the inflammation of the brain also known as encephalitis. Measles usually affects children, but the disease can occur at any age in susceptible people. The early symptoms fever, malaise, sore muscles, headache, eye irritation, watering of the eyes, dry cough, and sensitivity to light occur about 7-14 days after infection. Nasal discharge, sneezing, and coughing develop rapidly. Measles reduces normal resistance, making a child susceptible to more serious secondary bacterial infections. In rare cases, the virus causes a form of encephalitis. Measles is easily transmitted in the early stages through the invisible droplets of moisture which are discharged from a baby’s nose or mouth when he coughs or sneezes.
Home Remedies for Measles
The herbal treatment should aim at bringing down the temperature and eliminating the toxins from the system. Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of measles.
Orange
Orange is a natural cure for measles. Orange is most valuable home remedy for the treatment of measles. When the digestive power of the body is seriously hampered, the children suffers from intense toxaemia and the lack of saliva coats his tongue and often destroys his thrust for water as well as his desire for food. The agreeable flavor of orange juice helps greatly in overcoming these drawbacks. Orange juice is the most ideal liquid food in this disease.
Garlic
Garlic is helpful to cure measles spots. Garlic will encourage the spots to “come out,” which means that the body is expelling toxins. Ginger can be used as a compress directly on the spots.
Lemon
The juice of lemon is another effective remedy. It also makes an powerful thirst quenching drink in measles. About 15 to 25 ml. of lemon juice, should be taken diluted with water for this purpose.
Barley Water
The use of barley water has proved beneficial in case of troublesome cough in measles. This water should be taken frequently sweetened with the newly drawn oil of sweet almonds.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a very common Indian spice, is beneficial in the treatment of measles. Raw roots of turmeric should be dried in the sun and ground to a fine powder. This powder, mixed with a few drops of honey and the juice of a few bitter gourd leaves, should be given to the child suffering from measles.
Rice Flour
Use rice flour to make a poultice for relieving inflammation of the skin, including acne, measles, burns, and hemorrhoids.
Liquorice
Powdered liquorice has been found valuable in relieving the cough, typical of measles. The child patient should be given this powdered liquorice mixed with honey.
Eggplant
The seeds of eggplant (baingan) are stimulant. According to Dr. Sanyal of Calcutta, intake of half a gram to one gram of these seeds daily for three days will help develop immunity against measles for one year.
Chamomile
Chamomile gives soothing effect. Add chamomile or marigold to the bath water to calm your child and soothe the symptoms.
Prevention Tips to Keep Measles Away from Children
- As light has a detrimental effect upon the eyes during measles, because of the weakened condition of the external eye tissues, the child should have his eyes shaded or the room should have subdued light.
- Lukewarm water baths can be given every day to ease itching.
- Children having measles should not be allowed to mixed with others.
- Eat plenty of raw fruit and vegetables every day to cleanse the system.
- Vitamin E oil can be applied to the spots to prevent scarring. Take vitamin E supplements for the same reason.
- Increase the intake of foods containing vitamin C and zinc to aid the action of the immune system.
- Acidophilus should be taken after any illness to encourage production of the healthy bacteria in the gut.