Horrific pictures show why you should NEVER give a child with chickenpox ibuprofen: Boy left fighting for his life after developing blood poisoning

Ibuprofen Chickenpox Sepsis

Horrific pictures show why you should NEVER give a child with chickenpox ibuprofen: Boy left fighting for his life after developing blood poisoning

Hayley Lyons shared pictures of her son Lewis to warn other parents
Says doctors prescribed ibuprofen after he developed chicken pox
Suffered severe reaction and was treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Her post alerting other parents has now been shared 350,000 times

By KATE PICKLES FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 17:02, 8 April 2016 | UPDATED: 01:16, 9 April 2016

These shocking pictures show the horrific reaction ibuprofen had on a little boy with chickenpox.

Hayley Lyons shared the images to warn parents against the danger after her son Lewis ended up with septicaemia.

The Facebook post has now been shared almost 350,000 times.

She explained how a number of doctors prescribed children's ibuprofen to her son Lewis which she unwittingly gave him, unaware of the dangers.

His condition deteriorated and ended up in hospital with septicaemia.

Hannah Lyons shared these shocking pictures of Lewis in Alder Hey Children's Hospital after his chickenpox developed into blood poisoning after a severe reaction to children's ibuprofen

Lewis Lyons, pictured at Alder Hey Children's Hospital (left), suffered a horrific reaction to ibuprofen prescribed for his chicken pox (right). It caused him to develop septicaemia

After taking him to Alder Hey Children's Hospital she was told that he should never have been given the medicine because 'it reacts with chicken pox making them go deeper into the skin tissue'.

In her post Hayley said: 'Chickenpox is going round again can I please remind people NOT to give your children nurofen/ibuprofen.

'Four different doctors from our local Hospital (out of hours) prescribed it for Lewis as we couldn't get his temp down. They even administered it to him in A&E.

'This type of medicine is an anti inflammatory, it reacts with chicken pox making them go deeper into the skin tissue.

'It was only when we took Lewis to Alder Hey because the doctors from our hospital kept sending him home saying it was 'just chicken pox' we found this out.

'He ended up with septicaemia and was admitted straight to Alder Hey as soon as we arrived there.

Lewis developed chicken pox 10 months ago, causing him to break out in spots. Ms Lyons shared the pictures on Facebook to warn parents not to use ibuprofen for the illness - as it can cause a severe reaction

Recognising the symptoms of septicaemia

'Only because we persevered an took Lewis to a children's hospital off our own back was he ok.

'This could have ended up so much worse if it wasn't for those doctors at Alder Hey and their advice, care and knowledge.

WHAT THE NHS ADVISES

There is no cure for chickenpox, and the virus usually clears up by itself without any treatment.

If a child is in pain or has a high temperature (fever), a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol, can be given.

Never give a child aspirin if it is suspected or know they have chickenpox.

Children with chickenpox who take aspirin can develop a potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome, which causes severe brain and liver damage.

Speak to the GP or pharmacist if you are not sure which medicines to give your child.

Source: NHS Choices

'Only use CALPOL for their temps.

'It does actually state on the nurofen website not to take this medicine with chicken pox. But when our doctors prescribe it, who are we to question it??'

Information shared with medical professionals on the Medline Plus website confirms that the drug should not be given.

It states: 'Do NOT give aspirin or ibuprofen to someone who may have chickenpox.

'Use of aspirin has been associated with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome. Ibuprofen has been associated with more severe secondary infections.'

'Lewis is fine now. It happened 10 months ago but he still has the scars,' said Ms Lyons.

'My friend's daughter has chickenpox so when I saw that it was going round again I decided to share these photos of Lewis among family and friends.

'I didn't expect the response to be as big as this.

'I didn't share the pictures at the time it happened because it was just so horrific. Parents need to be aware that this can happen.'

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