Treating chickenpox

Treating Chickenpox

Treating chickenpox cannot be done with antibiotics. The reason for this is because chickenpox is caused by a virus. As with most viral illnesses, chickenpox (in the vast majority of cases) can simply be left to run its course.

Most of the time the best thing to do in treating chickenpox, is to keep a person with chickenpox comfortable while their own bodies fight the illness.

A good way of treating chickenpox is with oatmeal baths in lukewarm water. This will provide a crusty, comforting coating on the sufferer’s skin. A great way to relieve itching is by using Calamine lotion. Oral antihistamines can also help to ease the itching, as can topical lotions. Lotions containing antihistamines are also effective.

Make sure that that child or adult infected with chickenpox has no contact with anyone else until a medical diagnosis has been established that the chickenpox is no longer a threat, or 4 days have passed since the symptoms have passed.

Trim the sufferer's fingernails short to reduce the chance of secondary infections and scarring. This can occur from scrating.

Antiviral medicines have now also been developed. This can be an effective method for treating chickenpox. To be effective however, these antiviral medicines must be started within the first 24 hours of developing the chickenpox rash. These medicines are not really needed for most healthy children. Adults and teens, at risk for more severe symptoms, may benefit more if the case is seen early in its course.

Sufferers that have skin conditions (such as eczema or recent sunburn), lung conditions (such as asthma), or sufferers who have recently taken steroids, or who need to take aspirin on a regular basis may find the antiviral medicines to be very important as an effective treatment.

Some doctors also give antiviral medicines to people in the same household and who subsequently come down with chickenpox because their increased exposure often produces more severe symptoms.

WARNING!!!
DO NOT USE ASPIRIN. Unless instructed by your child's doctor, don't give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness since the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye Syndrome – a serious and potentially deadly encephalitis-like illness. Instead, acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used safely.

The best way in treating chickenpox is by consulting your doctor.

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