Buzz
Chickenpox is a common infection that is generally not dangerous for healthy adults or children (it is becoming rarer due to vaccination), but it can pose serious risks for individuals with other health conditions or weakened immune systems. The disease causes small skin lesions, such as blisters and scabs, which can be itchy and sometimes painful, accompanied by fever and headaches. Follow these simple steps to treat chickenpox and alleviate discomfort.
Steps
Caring for Children and Adults
Take over-the-counter medication. You or your child may experience fever with chickenpox. To reduce fever and pain, use over-the-counter fever reducers like paracetamol or acetaminophen. Always read the label carefully before taking any medication. If you are unsure about the safety of a medication, consult a doctor before use.
- Avoid taking aspirin or aspirin-containing products to treat fever or other symptoms of chickenpox. Aspirin use during chickenpox can lead to Reye's syndrome, a serious condition affecting the liver and brain, which can be fatal.
- Consult your doctor about ibuprofen. While rare, it may cause adverse skin reactions and secondary infections.
Take antihistamines. The primary symptom of chickenpox is intense itching around the blisters, which can become unbearable or highly uncomfortable. In such cases, over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin can help alleviate the itching. For children, consult a doctor for proper dosage recommendations, as these medications can be particularly helpful at night to ensure better sleep.
- If the discomfort or pain is severe, visit a doctor to obtain a prescription for stronger antihistamines.
Stay hydrated. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial when dealing with chickenpox, as the body tends to lose fluids during this period. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and supplement with other hydrating liquids like sports drinks.
- Popsicles are an excellent way to keep children hydrated if they refuse to drink enough water.
Eat soft foods. Chickenpox can cause painful sores inside the mouth, making it uncomfortable to eat certain foods. Opt for soft options like soup, oatmeal, porridge, or ice cream. Avoid salty, spicy, acidic, or overly hot foods if the sores are particularly painful.
- Sucking on ice pops or hard candies can sometimes help soothe mouth sores.
Rest at home. If you or your child has chickenpox, it’s essential to stay home and rest. Avoid going to work, school, or sending your child to school to prevent spreading the virus, as chickenpox is highly contagious through air or contact with blisters. Overexertion can also worsen the condition.
- Once the sores have scabbed over and dried, the virus is no longer contagious. Recovery typically takes five to seven days.
Caring for Blistered Skin
Avoid scratching. It’s crucial to resist the urge to scratch the blisters, as this can worsen the condition, cause severe irritation, or lead to infections. Excessive scratching may also result in scarring once the illness subsides.
- While it’s challenging to resist the itch, make an effort to avoid scratching or encourage your child to do the same.
Trim your nails. Even if you try not to scratch, there may be moments of forgetfulness, especially with children. To minimize the risk, keep your nails or your child’s nails short and smooth. Short nails help prevent breaking the blisters, which can tear the skin, prolong healing, increase pain, or cause infections.
Wear gloves. If your child continues to scratch despite trimmed nails, consider using gloves or socks on their hands to prevent further skin damage. This ensures that even if scratching occurs, the skin won’t be significantly irritated due to the covered nails.
- Even if you or your child can avoid scratching during the day, wear gloves at night to prevent accidental scratching while asleep.
Choose appropriate clothing. Sweating and discomfort are common during chickenpox, so avoid tight-fitting clothes. Opt for loose, breathable cotton garments that allow gentle movement over the skin. This helps maintain a comfortable body temperature and reduces irritation.
- Avoid wearing jeans or woolen fabrics.
Stay in a cool environment. Chickenpox makes the skin sensitive and prone to overheating due to fever and blistering sores. Avoid hot or humid environments, as they can increase body heat and itching. Stay indoors during hot or humid weather and keep your living space cool.
- Also, avoid activities that raise body temperature and cause excessive sweating.
Calamine lotion. Calamine lotion is an excellent remedy for soothing itchy skin and promoting the healing of sores. Apply it as often as needed to alleviate discomfort caused by itching or pain. This lotion provides a cooling effect, offering relief and comfort.
- You can also use skin-cooling gels to treat blisters. Apply hydrocortisone cream or ointment to red, itchy areas for a few days.
- Avoid using lotions containing Benadryl, as frequent application can lead to toxicity due to excessive absorption into the bloodstream.
Take cool baths. To reduce skin itching, bathe in cool or slightly warm water. Avoid using soap that may irritate the sores. If you have a high fever, ensure the bathwater is comfortable and doesn’t cause chills.
- Add raw oatmeal or baking soda to the bathwater to soothe sores and reduce irritation.
- After bathing, apply moisturizer or lotion before using calamine lotion.
- Use cold compresses on itchy areas between baths.
Caring for High-Risk Individuals
Seek medical attention if you are over 12 or your child is under 6 months old. Chickenpox typically resolves without medical intervention for patients under 12. However, if you are over 12, consult a doctor immediately upon noticing symptoms, as complications can arise.
- Doctors may prescribe Acyclovir, an antiviral medication that shortens the illness duration. Visit a doctor within the first 24 hours of blister appearance for maximum effectiveness. The usual dosage is 800 mg tablets taken four times daily for five days, though this may vary based on weight and age.
- Antiviral medication is particularly beneficial for individuals with asthma or eczema, especially children.
Consult a doctor if symptoms worsen. Regardless of age, seek medical attention immediately if you experience: a fever lasting more than four days, a fever above 39°C, severe rash with pus, rash near or in the eyes, dizziness, difficulty walking or waking, stiff neck, severe cough, persistent vomiting, or trouble breathing.
- After evaluation, the doctor will determine the best treatment approach. These symptoms may indicate severe chickenpox, bacterial infection, or another viral illness.
Seek immediate medical care if you are pregnant. Contracting chickenpox during pregnancy increases the risk of secondary infections or transmitting the virus to your unborn child. Your doctor may prescribe Acyclovir or immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulin is an antibody solution derived from healthy individuals, administered to patients at risk of severe chickenpox.
- This medication also helps prevent mother-to-child transmission, which could otherwise have serious consequences for the fetus.
Get tested if you have immune system issues. Certain individuals require specialized medical treatment if they contract chickenpox. If you have an immune system disorder, immunodeficiency, HIV or AIDS, are undergoing cancer treatment, or are taking steroids or other immunosuppressants, seek medical attention immediately. Acyclovir is commonly administered, but immune system disorders may reduce its effectiveness.
- In such cases, Foscarnet may be prescribed as an alternative, with dosage and treatment duration tailored to individual circumstances.
Advice
- Chickenpox can usually be prevented through vaccination. Consult your doctor if you or your child cannot complete the vaccination schedule. Prevention is always better than cure.
- Contact your doctor if you are unsure whether you have contracted chickenpox.
- When visiting a doctor, inform them if you suspect you have chickenpox. The virus is highly contagious, so avoid putting others at risk.
