Chickenpox symptoms and Treatment.

Chickenpox symptoms and Treatment.

Chickenpox is a viral infection in which a person develops extremely itchy blisters all over the body. It used to be one of the classic childhood diseases. However, it has become much less common since the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine.

Symptoms 

Most children with chickenpox have the following symptoms before the rash appears:

• Fever
• Headache
• Stomach ache

The chickenpox rash occurs about 10 to 21 days after coming into contact with someone who had the disease. The average child develops 250 to 500 small, itchy, fluid-filled blisters over red spots on the skin.

• The blisters are usually first seen on the face, middle of the body, or scalp
• After a day or two, the blisters become cloudy and then scab. Meanwhile, new blisters form in groups. They often appear in the mouth, in the vagina, and on the eyelids.
• Children with skin problems such as eczema may get thousands of blisters.

Most pox will not leave scars unless they become infected with bacteria from scratching.

Some children who have had the vaccine will still develop a mild case of chickenpox. They usually recover much more quickly and have only a few pox (less than 30). These cases are often harder to diagnose. However, these children can still spread chieckenpox to others.

Treatment

Treatment involves keeping the person as comfortable as possible. Here are things to try:

• Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin from scratching.
• Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.
• Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinse thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.
• Apply a soothing moisturizer after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
• Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.
• Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas.

Medications that fight the chickenpox virus are available but not given to everyone. To work well, the medicine usually must be started within the first 24 hours of the rash.

• Antiviral medication is not usually prescribe to otherwise healthy children who do not have severe symptoms. Adults and teens, who are at risk for more severe symptoms, may benefit from antiviral medication if it is given early.
• Antiviral medication may be very important in those who have skin conditions (such as eczema or recent sunburn), lung conditions (such as asthma), or who have recently taken steroids.
• Some doctors also give antiviral medicines to people in the same household who also develop chickenpox, because they will usually develop more severe symptoms.

DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN to someone who may have chickenpox. Use of aspirin has been associated with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome. Ibuprofen has been associated with more severe secondary infections. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used.

A child with chickenpox should not return to school or play with other children until all chickenpox sores have crusted over or dried out. Adults should follow this same rule when considering when to return to work or be around others.