Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch
Introduction
When you or your child has
chickenpox, the
rash that develops can be very uncomfortable.
Key points
- Although the severity of the rash varies from
person to person, all people with chickenpox need to minimize scratching the
rash to prevent:
- Infection from bacteria under your
fingernails or on the skin of your hands.
- Scarring.
- You can treat itching from the chickenpox rash
at home with baths and certain
over-the-counter medicines and
lotions.
- Check with your child's doctor before giving these
medicines to your child.
Chickenpox (varicella)
is a common contagious illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a type of
herpes virus. The first symptoms are typical of other minor infections, such as a
fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, and sore throat. The chickenpox
rash usually appears 1 or 2 days later.
The chickenpox rash is
very itchy and begins with red spots or bumps that change into blisters that are filled with a clear or cloudy liquid and that look like pimples. The blisters eventually break or
burst, causing the fluid to leak. As the sores heal, a dry crust forms and
protects the skin.
Test Your Knowledge
Scratching a rash from chickenpox is okay as long as I
keep my fingernails short.
-
True
This answer is incorrect.
You should try to avoid scratching as much as
possible, regardless of the length of your fingernails. Bacteria can spread
from your skin or from under your nails (even short nails) and infect the rash.
Scratching also can lead to increased scarring.
-
False
This answer is correct.
You should try to avoid scratching as much as
possible, regardless of the length of your fingernails. Bacteria can spread
from your skin or from under your nails (even short nails) and infect the rash.
Scratching also can lead to increased scarring.
-
When my child or I get the rash from chickenpox, I
will need a prescription to stop the itching.
-
True
This answer is incorrect.
Most healthy children and adults can treat the
chickenpox rash at home with baths and certain over-the-counter medicines and
lotions. Home treatment can help ease the discomfort and control
itching.
-
False
This answer is correct.
Most healthy children and adults can treat the
chickenpox rash at home with baths and certain over-the-counter medicines and
lotions. Home treatment can help ease the discomfort and control
itching.
-
Continue to Why?
The most common complication of chickenpox is a skin
infection. When you scratch the blisters that develop from the chickenpox rash,
they can become infected from the bacteria on your hands and under your fingernails,
especially when the sores break open. If you get a skin infection, you will
likely need to see a doctor for a prescription medicine to treat
the infection.
Scratching the rash also can cause scars.
Test Your Knowledge
The most common complication of chickenpox is skin
infection, which can be caused by scratching the rash.
-
True
This answer is correct.
Even otherwise healthy children and adults can
get a skin infection from scratching a chickenpox rash. Because the rash
itches a lot and can be very uncomfortable, skin infection is a common side
effect of chickenpox.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
Even otherwise healthy children and adults can
get a skin infection from scratching a chickenpox rash. Because the rash
itches a lot and can be very uncomfortable, skin infection is a common side
effect of chickenpox.
-
Although it may cause a skin infection, scratching the
chickenpox rash will not make it worse.
-
True
This answer is incorrect.
In addition to causing a skin infection,
scratching the chickenpox rash can create open sores, make the rash more
severe, and cause scars.
-
False
This answer is correct.
In addition to causing a skin infection,
scratching the chickenpox rash can create open sores, make the rash more
severe, and cause scars.
-
Continue to How?
Home treatment methods
can help reduce the itchiness of the chickenpox rash. Try the following suggestions to make you or your child more comfortable and keep scratching
under control.
Baths
Warm to cool baths can help relieve itching.
Take baths for 20 to 30 minutes as often as needed to stay clean and soothe
your itchy skin. Always stay with young children when they are in a bathtub.
- Do not use soap, or use only a mild soap.
Soaps that are made for sensitive skin or recommended for babies are usually
mild.
- You can add soothing ingredients to the bath.
- Oatmeal baths such as Aveeno and
Actibath can be bought in most food and drugstores.
- You can make
your own oatmeal bath by mixing
1 cup (240 mL) of oatmeal with
3 cups (720 mL) cold water and
adding it to the bath water.
- Other ingredients, such as cornstarch
[about 2 cups (480 mL) per
bath] or baking soda can also be added to the bath to help soothe skin.
- Blot the skin dry after bathing. Don't rub the
skin.
Compresses
You can apply cool compresses to itchy
areas.
- Use a soft, absorbent cloth, such as a soft
washcloth. Wet the cloth with cool water and apply the cool compress directly
to the skin.
- You can also make an oatmeal paste and apply it to
itchy areas.
Lotions
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:
- Phenol, menthol, and camphor, such as
calamine lotion.
- Oatmeal, such as Aveeno Lotion.
Prevent skin irritation
Some general hygiene
practices can help prevent skin irritation and scratching.
- Wear loose-fitting cotton
clothing.
- Change clothes and bedsheets daily.
- Use a
mild laundry detergent if clothes or linens seem to be irritating the
skin.
Antihistamines
Lotions or creams that contain
antihistamines should not be used for chickenpox. But sometimes antihistamines
that are taken by mouth will help relieve itching.
- Antihistamines taken by mouth may help
prevent you or your child from scratching the rash and blisters, especially
during sleep.
- Some antihistamines can be bought
over-the-counter. If you use them, carefully follow
the directions on the label. Check with your child's doctor before you give
them to your child.
Help children avoid scratching and infection
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:
- Clean and closely trim the child's
fingernails.
- Have a small child wear mittens or clean cotton socks
on his or her hands to prevent scratching. Or use light bandages over open
blisters.
- Wash the child's hands often.
- Distract the
child when you find him or her scratching.
Use caution
Take general precautions to control
itching and to prevent additional problems.
- Avoid getting hot and sweating, because these
trigger itching. Stay out of sunlight. A child can play outside in the
shade.
- Avoid using antihistamine lotions. You may accidentally
apply too much medicine, which can be harmful. Ingredients to avoid include:
- Diphenhydramine.
- Lidocaine.
- Pramoxine.
Test Your Knowledge
Baths are a good way to help soothe a chickenpox rash
and help control itching.
-
True
This answer is correct.
Warm to cool baths cleanse the skin and help
soothe itching. You or your child can soak in water with nothing added to it, or add a mild soap or
oatmeal product (such as Aveeno) to help you feel more comfortable and possibly
delay more itching.
-
False
This answer is incorrect.
Warm to cool baths cleanse the skin and help
soothe itching. You or your child can soak in water with nothing added to it, or add a mild soap or
oatmeal product (such as Aveeno) to help you feel more comfortable and possibly
delay more itching.
-
Give children nonprescription antihistamine medicines
and lotions as much as needed to help control itching.
-
True
This answer is incorrect.
Talk to your doctor before you
give any antihistamine product to a child. It's hard to monitor the
amount of both oral and topical (lotion) antihistamine medicines being given
and how much a small body absorbs. These products can be harmful to a child,
especially when not given properly.
-
False
This answer is correct.
Talk to your doctor before you
give any antihistamine product to a child. It's hard to monitor the
amount of both oral and topical (lotion) antihistamine medicines being given
and how much a small body absorbs. These products can be harmful to a child,
especially when they are not given properly.
-
Continue to Where?
Talk with your doctor
Call your doctor right away if you or your child has
a severe headache or constant vomiting, sensitivity to bright light, unusual
sleepiness or confusion, trouble breathing, or coughing that won't go away.
Call your doctor if you notice
signs of skin infection, such as a continued high
fever, increasingly reddening or swollen skin, bigger open sores, or unusual
discharge or smell from chickenpox sores.
If you are older than
age 12 and have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, call your doctor
if you have been in contact with someone who has chickenpox. This is especially
important for pregnant women and for people with
impaired immune systems, no matter what age they
are.
Return to topic:
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
|
Last Revised
|
October 13, 2011 |
Last Revised:
October 13, 2011