Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Chickenpox Enlarge image Close Chickenpox Chickenpox With chickenpox, an itchy rash breaks out mostly on the face, scalp, chest and back, with some spots on the arms and legs. The spots quickly fill with a clear fluid, break open and then turn crusty. Chickenpox is an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It brings on an itchy rash with small fluid-filled blisters. The virus spreads easily to people who haven't had the disease or haven't gotten the chickenpox vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine is a safe way to prevent this illness and the other health issues that can happen with it. Chickenpox used to be a widespread condition, but today the vaccine protects children from it. Request an appointment Aug. 04, 2026 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references AskMayoExpert. Chickenpox. Mayo Clinic; 2024. Ferri FF. Varicella. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2026. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026. Chickenpox (varicella). National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. https://www.nfid.org/infectious-disease/chickenpox/. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026. Chickenpox. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/chickenpox. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026. Chickenpox (varicella). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/chickenpox. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026. Albrecht MA. Vaccination for prevention of chickenpox (primary varicella infection). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026. AskMayoExpert. Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination. Mayo Clinic; 2025. What are the contraindications and precautions to varicella vaccine? Immunize.org. https://www.immunize.org/ask-experts/what-are-the-precautions-and-contraindications-to-varicella-vaccine/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2026. Chickenpox (varicella) in children: Symptoms, treatment & prevention. Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/vaccine-preventable-diseases/Pages/Varicella-ChickenPox.aspx. Accessed Feb. 2, 2026. Who can and cannot take ibuprofen for children? National Health Service. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/who-can-and-cannot-take-ibuprofen-for-children/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2026. Related Chickenpox Chickenpox Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Sleep Listen to Health Matters Podcast Mayo Clinic on Incontinence The Essential Diabetes Book FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20155809 Diseases & Conditions Chickenpox