CHICKENPOX IN KIDS SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Is your child showing symptoms of chickenpox? Here's how you can help them.

WHAT IS CHICKENPOX?

- It is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus

- It causes an itchy, red blister-like rash on the body

- It lasts for about 10 to 21 days

- It is highly contagious and spreads like cold or cough

- It can be prevented by a vaccine


SYMPTOMS OF CHICKENPOX

Stage 1: Before the rash

* Feeling unwell

* Muscle pain

* Loss of appetite

* Nausea (vomiting sensation)

Step 2: After the rash

* Rash - Covers the whole body

* Spots - Red spots start appearing all over the body that is small, red and itchy

* Blisters - It appears on top of the red spots and makes it itchier

* Clouding - The blister becomes white after 48 hours

* Healing - It starts healing after 10 days and the white crust falls off

Note: Call the doctor when your child's skin becomes red and painful around the blister or is having breathing difficulties. 


TREATMENT FOR CHICKENPOX

It gets resolved with two weeks without any treatment. Give your child the vaccination to prevent them from this infection. It is 90% effective.


HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD

- Make sure you give plenty of fluids to your child to keep them hydrated

- If your child has mouth soreness (irritation or itchy feeling in mouth), give them sugar-free popsicles or plane ice-cubes.

- Give them liquid food such as soups and juices if they find it too difficult to eat

- To reduce scratching,

* Cut their fingernails and keep it short
* Make your child wear socks on their hands so that they don't break the blister by scratching
* Apply Lacto calamine lotion to reduce the itching
* Make them wear loose clothes

- If your child has a high fever, take them to the doctor. They might prescribe your child some medication for fever or to reduce the redness