Children under the age of twelve usually get chickenpox and it usually covers the entire skin. These are red skin spots with itchy blisters that can itch intensely. If the child scratches it, the risk of further spread on the skin and to other children is high. What causes the child to become infected, what are the symptoms and how can you further help the child get rid of this highly contagious condition?

Chicken-pox

• Practically every child gets it
• Symptoms of chickenpox
• An infectious disease as the culprit
• How can you help the child?
• Stay away!
• Treating itchy blisters and red spots

Practically every child gets it

About ninety-five percent of children will develop chickenpox before they reach the age of twelve. Normally, the condition is most common during days when the immune system has to endure a lot, which means that chickenpox breaks out during cold and bleak days. It manifests itself in red skin spots all over the body with itchy blisters here and there. The amount of chickenpox that a child gets varies widely. From the occasional chickenpox to a body riddled with chickenpox. How can the condition be recognized and what else should be taken into account?

Symptoms of chickenpox

Initially the child will catch a cold, possibly with a lot of sneezing and everything will be clogged. An increase in temperature may also occur, as well as a sore throat, headache and watery eyes. In addition to these characteristic features of a cold, red spots with blisters also appear spread over the body. These can also be between the hair, around the eyes and in the oral cavity. A common complaint from children is that it itches. The blisters should not be touched, because the condition is extremely contagious to the environment. Contact with other children who have not yet had chickenpox and also special contact with pregnant women should always be avoided. Eventually the blisters will dry out, leaving wound crusts. These may disappear within a week. If the child has not scratched, there will be little to no scars left behind.

An infectious disease as the culprit

The condition is caused by the chickenpox virus called the Varicella infectious disease. This is a virus related to the herpes simplex. The virus is transmitted from person to person through moisture. When we speak and cough, tiny droplets are released from our body into the air, which are absorbed by others. The fluid in the blisters of those with chickenpox and shingles is also extremely contagious. From the moment the first symptoms occur until the fluid in the blisters has disappeared, there is a risk of infecting others. This can take up to a week and a half.

How can you help the child?

It is essential that the child does not scratch the blisters. This releases highly contagious fluid, which can cause additional infections. So keep the child’s nails short and put finger pads on the child to prevent scratching. The skin can simply be washed in the bath or shower, but this must be done with some care to prevent blisters from bursting. It happens that the child is floaty due to the condition, but will not become seriously ill. Consult with the school management whether the child who is feeling well can return or whether we should wait until the blisters have completely crusted over. This has to do with the fact that children at the same school often become infected at the same time, but some children may not have yet had the disease.

Stay away!

A special warning if chickenpox is diagnosed is that pregnant women without a history of chickenpox should not come near a chickenpox virus source in the early months of pregnancy. If the mother is infected, the unborn child is also infected, causing the virus to cause damage. In addition, other children and babies who have not yet had chickenpox should stay away. This also applies to those with lower resistance due to, for example, chemotherapy or radiation.

Treating itchy blisters and red spots

The condition must go away on its own because there is no effective treatment method. To make the risk of contamination disappear more quickly, you can consider using a zinc ointment, which will make the liquid disappear more quickly. In addition, a cooling ointment helps to reduce the effect of the itching. Ask your doctor for information about which lotion or ointment is best to use.

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• The healing effect of zinc ointment