Chickenpox

Diagnosis

Chickenpox is often diagnosed based on the rash. A healthcare professional may confirm the diagnosis with lab tests. You may have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that uses a swab of fluid from a chickenpox blister.

Treatment

In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox often needs no medical treatment. Some children may be able to take a type of medicine called an antihistamine to calm itching. But mainly, chickenpox clears on its own.

If you're at high risk of complications

If you or your child is at high risk of complications, your healthcare professional may suggest antiviral medicine to treat the virus. Acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir may ease the symptoms of chickenpox. But they work best when given within 24 hours after the rash appears.

Sometimes, a healthcare professional may suggest getting the chickenpox vaccine within five days of being in contact with the virus. This can prevent the illness or help make it milder.

The vaccine is for people who don't have other health issues. People who can't have the live vaccine may get varicella-zoster immune globulin within days of being in contact with the virus.

You or your child may get other medicines to treat complications of chickenpox. For instance, antibiotics can treat infected skin and bacterial pneumonia. Antiviral medicine often treats brain swelling, also called encephalitis. It may need to be treated in the hospital.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These tips may help ease the symptoms of mild chickenpox.

Try not to scratch

Scratching the skin can cause scarring and slow healing. It also can raise the risk that the sores will get infected. Trim fingernails. It also may help to put gloves on children's hands, especially at night.

Relieve the itch and other symptoms

The chickenpox rash can be very itchy. Broken blisters, called vesicles, sometimes sting. For relief of these and other symptoms, you can try:

• A cool bath with added baking soda, aluminum acetate or uncooked oatmeal. Or you could add colloidal oatmeal, a finely ground oatmeal that is made for soaking.
• Calamine lotion dabbed on the itchy spots.
• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itching. But ask your child's healthcare professional if they're safe for your child to take.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for a mild fever.

Call your healthcare professional if a fever lasts longer than four days and is higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius). Don't give aspirin to children and teenagers who have chickenpox. This can lead to a serious condition called Reye's syndrome.

Talk with your healthcare professional before giving any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to someone who has chickenpox. Some studies suggest that this type of medicine may lead to skin infections or tissue damage.

Preparing for your appointment

Call your family healthcare professional if you or your child has symptoms of chickenpox. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

When you call to make the appointment, ask how you or your child can stay away from others in the waiting room.

Make a list of:

• All your symptoms and when they began.
• Recent contact with anyone who had chickenpox.
• Key medical information, including other health issues and the names and dosages of all medicines, vitamins and supplements you or your child takes.
• Questions to ask your healthcare team.

Questions to ask about chickenpox may include:

• What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes?
• What treatment do you suggest?
• How long will it take for the symptoms to get better?
• Are there self-care steps for symptom relief?
• How long will it be before my child or I can no longer spread the chickenpox virus to others?
• How do we lower the risk of infecting others?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Questions your healthcare professional may ask include:

• Have you had or has your child had a chickenpox vaccine? How many doses?
• Is your child in school or child care?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?

What you can do in the meantime

Rest as much as possible. Try not to touch the rash. Wear a face mask over your nose and mouth when you're in public. The chickenpox virus spreads easily until all skin blisters have fully crusted.