How do I comfort my child who has the chickenpox?

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral illness. Few people escape chickenpox as a child. With the varicella vaccine (Varivax), hopefully more children will reach adulthood without ever getting chickenpox. The vaccine prevents the disease 94-96% of the time. Chickenpox is caused by an exposure to the virus 10-21 days prior to the first sore appearing on the skin. The disease progresses in a very distinctive way, with new sores appearing every day for about 5 days. On average a child will have 300-500 sores. Once a child has chickenpox, he will have lifelong immunity with a few exceptions. Most cases of chickenpox do little but cause discomfort and inconvenience. However, serious complications can arise from chickenpox, especially in children with underlying medical conditions. The best method of prevention is vaccination.

Signs and Symptoms of Chickenpox:

• Rash starts on head and trunk, then spreads all over the body
• Sores start as small, red bumps (like pimples) and progress to water blisters (like dew drops on a rose petal) to cloudy blisters to oozy sores that get crusty (all within a 24 hours period)
• New crops emerge daily for about 5 days
• Possible fever

Home Treatment:

• Call us on the first day of rash to see if a medication might be prescribed to possibly lessen the severity of the illness
• Tepid baths every few hours with an oatmeal bath product(Aveeno)
• Application of Calamine lotion (not Caladryl) after the bath
• For severe itching, give diphenhydramine (Benedryl)
• For fever and discomfort, give acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Offer soft, bland foods and cool drinks to ease mouth sores
• Trim and clean fingernails
• Encourage not to scratch to prevent secondary infection and scars
• Keep your child at home until all sores have dried up, usually 7-10 days

Call our office if:

• Has a patch of red, tender skin or a fine, red, sandpaper-like rash
• Becomes lethargic, difficult to awaken, or confused
• Complains of a stiff neck
• Has difficulty breathing
• Has a fever over 104 or lasts more than 3 days
• Has scabs that ooze pus or look infected
• Has sores on the eyeballs
• Has trouble urinating because of sores around the genitals
• You have other questions or concerns