Keep children home from school and away from public spaces to prevent spreading the virus. If it becomes necessary to set up a medical appointment for the child, call the doctor in advance.
Showing up to urgent care may put other people, such as those with weakened immune systems and those who have not been vaccinated, at risk of contracting the infection. Chickenpox tends to resolve without treatment, with no need to seek medical attention.
However, in some special cases, a person should see a doctor. Some people have a higher risk of complications, and they should contact a doctor at the first sign of chickenpox. These groups include:. If a doctor diagnoses chickenpox early enough, they can prescribe an antiviral medication that may help clear up the infection faster. Additionally, anyone who develops more severe symptoms should see a doctor. Severe symptoms include:.
Children routinely receive two doses of a chickenpox vaccine, which prevents chickenpox infections altogether in most cases.
The small percentage of people who get the vaccination and still contract chickenpox will experience fewer or milder symptoms. Chickenpox typically clears up on its own within 1—2 weeks. Managing symptoms can help many people find relief during this time. It is also essential to find ways to avoid scratching the itch, as scratching may result in open cuts, infection, and scarring. If a doctor diagnoses chickenpox early enough, they can prescribe medications to people at high risk to help clear the infection.
Always stay with young children when they are in a bathtub. You can apply soothing lotions that can help dry chickenpox blisters. But talk to your doctor before using lotions that contain antihistamines.
You could try lotions with:. Lotions or creams that contain antihistamines should not be used for chickenpox. But sometimes antihistamines that are taken by mouth will help relieve itching. It can be especially challenging to control a child's scratching. Try the following methods to help keep your child from itching the rash or help prevent skin infection that can result from scratching:.
Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch. Top of the page Actionset. Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch. Infection in teenagers, adults and people with weakened immune systems can be more serious.
Complications from chickenpox include pneumonia lung infection , encephalitis swelling of the brain , and bacterial infections of the skin from scratching. Encephalitis can lead to convulsions, deafness, or brain damage. About 1 in every 3, adults with chickenpox will die from the infection. Chickenpox can cause birth defects if the mother gets chickenpox while she is pregnant, and these can be fatal.
Yes, the chickenpox vaccine provides protection against chickenpox. The virus is spread through the air by an infected person sneezing or coughing. It can also be spread through contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters, or the saliva of a person who has chickenpox. A pregnant woman with chickenpox can pass it to her baby before birth. People with chickenpox can spread the virus to others from up to 5 days before and 5 days after the rash appears.
They are most contagious from the day before and for the first few days after the rash appears. To reduce the spread of chickenpox, children with the illness should not attend daycare or school until 5 days after the rash first appears or the blisters have crusted.
It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for a person to get sick after exposure to the virus. If your child is exposed to chickenpox, watch for signs of the illness for the next 2 to 3 weeks. Symptoms of chickenpox may include fever, aches, tiredness, headache and loss of appetite. A few days later, a rash appears. The trouble with chickenpox is that it is contagious for a good majority of the time your child has James Fortenberry.
Will my unborn baby be immune to chickenpox if I already had it? Diana Meeks. Yes, your baby will receive the antibodies to fight off chickenpox through the placenta.
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