Measles Rash Vs Chickenpox – How to tell the difference between measles and chickenpox, is every red bump on your skin a measles or smallpox? Let’s study and understand both, as well as the causes and symptoms that arise so that you understand every time you have a health problem like that. In essence, with knowledge about measles and smallpox you can take preventive steps quickly and precisely.
Chicken pox and measles are both very similar and the cause is a virus, this is classified as a disease that is very easily transmitted to other people.
Well, no symptoms appear, sometimes it’s hard for you to decide whether it’s measles or chickenpox so it’s difficult for you to take immediate treatment, so in this article we will invite you to learn the difference between measles and chickenpox and how to choose the right treatment.
Measles Rash vs. Chickenpox: What’s the Difference?
Before we go further about this disease and find out how to treat a rash with measles or chicken pox, we need to know the descriptions of both. Both are infectious diseases and are caused by different viruses.
In the medical world, the measles rash is known as rubeola, it is caused by the measles virus. Meanwhile, chickenpox is also an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Both are caused by viruses but differ from one another. This disease often occurs in childhood, but after vaccination, the number of cases of measles and chickenpox rash decreased in America.
Who is more common and more cases between the two, everywhere chickenpox is more common and there are more cases compared to measles.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it is stated that these two skin diseases are caused by seasonal pathogens which cause toxic heat in the sufferer’s body. Later this manifests as skin lesions.
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Symptoms of Measles Rash and Chickenpox
Measles rash is a disease that usually starts with a flat red rash and appears first on the face, then it spreads down the neck, trunk, arms, legs and finally to the feet. These spots may occur together and move gradually from the top of the body to the bottom and eventually disappear and heal.
While the chicken pox rash is an itchy red rash, and this starts from the stomach, back, face, and then spreads to all parts of the body. These are small red bumps that sometimes contain clear to yellow fluid like pus. These fluid-filled lumps then blister, break and become dry, brown scabs.
If not cared for properly, these smallpox scars will continue to exist in parts of the body even though the sufferer has grown up and even aged.
The symptoms of a measles rash are:
- dry cough
- fever
- A rash that starts from the hairline and runs down the body
- Sore throat
- Stuffy and runny nose
- Koplik spots (small red or white spots in or around the mouth)
The symptoms of smallpox rash are:
- Fever
- Headache
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargic and exhausted
- A rash appears on the chest, then on the face, neck and spreads throughout the body
Those are the symptoms that may occur in measles and smallpox, by understanding these symptoms you can already distinguish between the two.
How To Tell The Difference Between Measles Rash and Chickenpox
Measles and smallpox cause rashes, but measles rashes tend to appear as flat, non-fluid-filled bumps.
While the chickenpox rash, it starts with a lump and turns into a lump filled with fluid inside, and then leaks or bursts.
Can I Still Get Measles or Chickenpox After Vaccination?
How effective is vaccination in preventing children from measles or smallpox. Can measles and smallpox vaccination completely prevent these diseases.
Vaccination against measles and chickenpox in America uses the Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (chickenpox) MMRV vaccine. This vaccine is done carefully, so divided into two doses, this is done to prevent side effects.
Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is very rare to contract smallpox and measles in children who have been vaccinated. But there is a possibility to experience it. Even if it happens, the symptoms you experience will not be as severe as those who are not vaccinated.
TCM Treatment of Measles and Smallpox
Traditional Chinese medicine has long played a role in the treatment of rashes against measles and chickenpox. TCM physician Anita Pee mentions that treatment for the disease existed in ancient Chinese literature in the 3rd century AD, and it was recognized as a highly contagious disease as early as the 11th century.
He mentioned that measles and smallpox were dreadful diseases in the past and caused many deaths in children at that time (before vaccines were introduced), while smallpox was first mentioned in ancient literature in the 12th century. So, measles was known to the world earlier because it had been since the 3rd century.
Measles and smallpox rash treatment is done with traditional ingredients, even for internal and external medicine, and this is similar to modern TCM medicine.
TCM Treatment For Measles Rash
The traditional treatment of measles according to TCM is by cleaning and washing the external parts and using herbs called “Fu Ping” and “Zi Su Ye” (Perilla leaves), these are for curing the measles shards, you can also take herbal baths to relieve the feeling. itchy.
For internal treatment, use the herbs “Bo He” (peppermint) and Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) and can be used to relieve heat.
When a rash occurs, this Chinese medicine uses Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle) and uses ingredients such as Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), this is used to remove poison or poison heat. Then, in the recovery phase, they use herbs like Sha Shen (glehnia plant root) and use Mai Men Dong for the recovery.
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TCM Treatment For Chickenpox
For the treatment of smallpox, the traditional Chinese medicine system uses drugs according to severity. If it’s still mild, then herbs such as Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle) and Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit) can be used as a medicine to get rid of heat in the body.
If the case is severe and the fever is high, then herbs like Sheng Di Huang (rehmannia root) and Xuan Shen (figwort root) can be used to dissipate body heat and cool the blood. For external treatment, you can use herbal plants such as Ku Shen (sophora root) and Fu Ping (Spirodelae herb). This is an external medicine that can relieve itching and reduce blisters.
The Bottom Line
Measles and smallpox rash are diseases that require rest and drinking lots of fluids so that the body’s immunity can fight the virus. In addition, it is important to prevent or relieve itching so that scratching does not occur. Every scratch will certainly cause infection and exacerbate the problem. One way to get rid of itching is cold water compresses. You can use a small towel to do this.
