Home Remedies for Measles

Home care helps the child recover from measles. There is no cure for the virus, so care is supportive, and a doctor should see the child.

What helps

• Rest: keep the child at home and in bed for the days of fever
• Fluids: small, frequent sips of water, oral rehydration solution, clear soups and breast milk for babies
• Fever comfort: a lukewarm sponge and light clothing. Paracetamol can be given in the dose a doctor advises. Do not give aspirin to children.
• Eyes: gently wipe crusts with clean boiled and cooled water. Dim the room if light hurts. Do not put drops, oil or kajal in the eyes unless a doctor prescribes it.
• Cough and nose: a clean, humid room. Do not use steam inhalation for children.
• Skin: loose cotton clothes and clean, trimmed nails. Do not apply powders, oils or herbal pastes on the rash.

Isolation

Keep the child away from school and from babies, pregnant women and people with weak immunity until 4 days after the rash began.

Do not

• Give honey to infants under 12 months
• Use home remedies as a substitute for a doctor visit
• Stop feeding. Keep offering breast milk or food in small amounts.

Go to a hospital (112 or 102) if

There is fast breathing, fits, drowsiness that is hard to wake, a stiff neck, severe dehydration, or fever lasting more than 3 days after the rash.

Key point

Rest, fluids and watching for danger signs are the home plan. Medical advice and vaccination are the real protection.

Key point

Rest, fluids and close watching for danger signs are the plan at home. Vaccination is the real protection for others.