What To Do If Your Child Has Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is a disease caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus. It is a contagious disease and mostly affects babies and children. As a parent, it is essential to understand how to manage symptoms, prevent infections, and recognize signs that require medical attention. In this blog, learn more from an experienced and Top Pediatrician in Delhi.

Symptoms of chicken pox

For 2-4 days before the onset of the rash, children may have symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite.

Typically, a child develops:

• The rash is itchy
• After 1-2 days, the blisters get hazy and finally scab
• The chicken pox commonly appears in the mouth, vagina, and eyelids
• Small, fluid-filled blisters over red areas on the skin, which appear on the face, trunk, or scalp and spread from there
• The rash is worse in children who have other skin disorders, such as eczema or a recent sunburn.

What happens during chicken pox?

The rash often appears between 10 and 21 days after being exposed to someone who has chickenpox. The duration between exposures to the occurrence of the rash is called the 'incubation period'.

• Children with severe infections or underlying serious medical issues may be given antiviral medicine. The majority of children with chickenpox are sick for around 5 to 7 days. Only a few patients with chicken pox need to be admitted to the hospital.
• The treatment aims to alleviate the itching caused by the rash, as well as other viral symptoms. Several medications and lotions are available to help relieve itching. If a child develops a large, sore, red area around the rash or becomes sicker. 

Consult a baby pediatrician for confirmation of a secondary bacterial infection.

Tips from Disease Management:

• When children are sick, it can be hard to ensure that they drink sufficient amounts of water. Give drinks, water-based foods, soups, and other fluids regularly. This prevents dehydration and regulates the fever. 
• Affected children will have a reduced appetite, but make sure your child drinks enough water to pass urine at least four times a day. 
• Soft, bland foods can be beneficial, but avoid giving the child anything too salty or acidic. 
• Also, keep the child cool, as heat and sweating can exacerbate itching.
• Although it is unlikely to save siblings from getting chicken pox, it is usually a good idea to give the affected child's siblings their own towel and manage their stay separately. 
• The child should not be allowed to scratch the blisters since this would irritate them and leave them susceptible to infection. Cut the child's nails short and ask them to wear cotton gloves to lessen their scratching. If the scabs are scraped off, there's also a greater chance that the blisters will leave a scar.
• The child doctor may prescribe an antihistamine if the child's itching is causing them to have difficulty falling asleep.
• Children with chickenpox should not attend kindergarten or school until all blisters have healed. A dry blister scab cannot spread. If a child has chickenpox, parents should inform the school, as other children may need to be treated or immunized. 

Note: It could be necessary for some family members (people with compromised immune system) to avoid the child during this contagious phase. This involves patients receiving chemotherapy or long-term oral steroids, as well as babies and pregnant mothers who have never had chickenpox. If they have already had chicken pox, most people cannot get it again.

Conclusion

Although Chickenpox can be uncomfortable, it is usually not dangerous for healthy children. Parents need to manage their symptoms, prevent scratching, and isolate their child during the infectious period. You can help ensure a smooth recovery. 

Continuously monitor for signs of complications, and consult with Top Pediatric Doctor in Delhi, Dr. Promilla Butani, if you have concerns. With proper care and attention from Dr. Promilla Butani, your child will likely recover fully within 7–10 days.