Chickenpox

Last updated: 07 March 2012

In this article

• What is Chickenpox
• What are the symptoms of Chickenpox
• What are the treatments and remedies for Chickenpox?
• The mum view on Chickenpox?
• The expert view on Chickenpox?
• The client view on Chickenpox?

What is Chickenpox

This common but mild viral childhood illness, characterised by an extremely itchy rash of blisters, usually strikes pre-school and primary-school children, although adults can catch it too. It's highly contagious and it is caused by a very contagious airborne virus called varicella-zoster. It's most infectious from a couple days before the rash appears until the last blister has crusted over about a week later. Your child is very likely to develop symptoms if he's been in contact with another child with the illness.

'Chickenpox parties' are popular amongst some mums whose theory is that it's better for their child to get chickenpox while they're young when it tends to be milder, and before they're involved in serious school work. The only problem here is that you might be leaving vulnerable adults – who can also contract chickenpox – open to infection. Affected children should be kept away from pregnant women, newborns and anyone with a weakened immune system (so that means diabetics, cancer patients and the elderly, amongst others). But how will you know whether another mum at the party might be pregnant? They might not even know it themselves, and contracting chickenpox in pregnancy can cause serious complications. And what if a vulnerable adult comes to pick up one of your child's friends? So all in all, it's best to quarantine your child until the scabs have all appeared – and let their school, nursery or any other group they've been mixing with know they've got chickenpox.

What are the symptoms of Chickenpox?

Chickenpox symptoms include a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over. The scabs drop off if they haven't been picked off by the child scratching himself – something you do need to discourage as it almost always results in scarring. Your child might be covered in spots or have no more than a few isolated ones, which can make a diagnosis more tricky. You might see them on his face, behind his ears, on his scalp, arms, chest and tummy, or on his limbs. He might seem perfectly fine or he might be a bit under the weather. Some children seem generally unwell with loss of appetite and most have a fever for a few days.

What are the treatments and remedies of Chickenpox?

Over-the-counter remedies can help alleviate the itching, which can be incredibly acute. Try calamine lotion or a can or skin-cooling spray. Tepid baths might bring some temporary relief, too. If your child has a fever you can give the appropriate dose of paracetamol.

Rarely, chickenpox can cause serious illness in children. Seek medical advice if your child's blisters become infected or if he develops a pain in his chest or difficulty breathing.

There is a vaccine against chickenpox but it's only available to children and adults with a known vulnerability to chickenpox complications.

Piriton Allergy Tablets and Syrup contain chlorphenamine. Relieves the itchy rash of chickenpox. Always read the label. PIRI, PIRINASE, PIRITON and PIRITEZE are registered trade marks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.