How to treat chickenpox in children and prevent infection

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease, but once you have had it, it will not recur. If a child is infected with chickenpox, blisters will appear all over the body and it will itch unbearably. At this time, the child's nails should be cut short to avoid accidentally scratching the blisters and causing infection. Remember to replenish water and keep the skin clean.

Chickenpox symptoms in children

The incubation period of chickenpox can be 7 to 21 days, but in most cases symptoms develop around 10 to 14 days after infection. Generally speaking, chickenpox lasts for 5 to 10 days.

Skin rashes: These small rashes usually appear first on the face and back. They are usually small, pink or red bumps that are accompanied by pain, fever, and loss of appetite. The rash can quickly spread over the body and make the child itchy and uncomfortable, so it is important to take good care of them.

The rash turns into blisters: Soon these rashes will turn into blisters. The blisters will be filled with clear fluid at first, then turn cloudy. Try to avoid popping the blisters as this can cause infection, and remember to keep your child's nails short. The blisters are highly contagious until they scab over.

Blisters begin to scab: This is the final stage of chickenpox, when the blisters begin to dry and form scabs. Once the outer skin of the blisters hardens, they will fall off after 1 to 2 weeks. These marks will fade quickly and there will be little long-term scarring.

How to treat chickenpox in children

Calamine lotion: Calamine lotion is a very commonly used medicine to relieve itching. It is not known why it is effective, but it does relieve the itching and discomfort of chickenpox.

Baking soda bath: Adding baking soda to your baby's bath water can help relieve itching. Remember not to use too high a water temperature. You can try using cool water, which will make your baby more comfortable.

Prevent blisters from bursting: Blisters that burst can easily lead to infection or even complications. Therefore, never let your baby scratch the blisters. If your baby is very impatient, you can try wearing gloves.

Keep the skin clean: The baby's skin should be kept clean so that the blisters can scab over quickly. Use a sponge to bathe the baby, and avoid using too much force to avoid breaking the blisters.

Drink plenty of water: When your baby has chickenpox, his body will lose a lot of water, so you should let your baby drink plenty of water. Boiled water or fruit juice will do. Remember to sip it in small sips and don't drink it all at once.

Keep away from other family members: As chickenpox is a highly contagious disease, anyone who has never had chickenpox can easily be infected. Therefore, if someone in the family has never had chickenpox, be sure to isolate him from the baby.

How to prevent young children from spreading chickenpox

Isolate your child: Once you find out that your child is infected with chickenpox, be sure to isolate him at home to rest, whether in school, kindergarten, or anywhere he goes, and do not let him come into contact with other children.

No more infection: Your child will get better and will not spread the infection further, and will be cured once the scabs fall off, so it is important that your child stays home and recovers.

Avoid contact with pregnant women: Do not let your child come into contact with pregnant women or other young babies. If a pregnant woman is accidentally infected with chickenpox, it will cause fetal lesions, and the baby will not be immune because it has never been infected with chickenpox.

Wash clothes with hot water: If your child has chickenpox, be sure to wash his clothes separately from those of other family members, and then scald them with hot water to thoroughly disinfect and sterilize them to avoid spreading the virus to other family members.