Chickenpox is a common infection that spreads easily and mostly affects children. It usually gets better on its own after 1 to 2 weeks without needing to see a GP, but can be serious in some people.
The main symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, spotty rash. It can be anywhere on the body.
Before or after the rash appears, you might also have:
- a high temperature
- aches and pains, and generally feel unwell
- loss of appetite
Chickenpox happens in 3 stages, but new spots can appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.
Stage 1: small spots appear
The spots can:
- be anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth and around the genitals, which can be painful
- spread or stay in a small area
- be red, pink, darker or the same colour as surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone
- be harder to see on brown and black skin
The spots fill with fluid and become blisters. The blisters are very itchy and may burst.
The spots form a scab. Some scabs are flaky, while others leak fluid.
If you're not sure it's chickenpox
Check other rashes in children
If you have chickenpox, you'll need to stay off school, nursery or work until all the spots have formed a scab. This is usually 5 days after the spots first appeared.
There are things you can do to treat chickenpox yourself at home without needing to see a GP.
Do
drink plenty of fluids (try ice lollies if your child is not drinking)
take paracetamol to help with any pain and discomfort
cut your child's fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching
use cooling creams or gels from a pharmacy
speak to a pharmacist about using antihistamine medicine to help itching
bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
dress in loose clothes
Don't
do not use ibuprofen unless you're told to by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections
do not give aspirin to children under 16 years
do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring
Important
Do not go near newborn babies or anyone who's pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
See a GP if:
- you're not sure it's chickenpox
- you're concerned about yourself or your child
Tell the receptionist you think it might be chickenpox before going in to a GP surgery.
Get advice from NHS 111 now if:
- your or your child's chickenpox symptoms suddenly get worse
- your child has chickenpox and is showing signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
- the skin around the chickenpox blisters is hot, painful and red (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- you're breastfeeding and have chickenpox symptoms
- you're pregnant and have not had chickenpox before (or you're not sure) and you've been near someone with chickenpox
- you have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox
- you think your newborn baby has chickenpox or has been near someone with chickenpox
Some people may be able to take medicine to prevent complications. It needs to be started within 24 hours of the spots appearing.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.
You can spread chickenpox to other people from 2 days before your spots appear until they have all formed scabs, which is usually 5 days after your spots appeared.
The spots start appearing around 1 to 3 weeks after you caught chickenpox.
You can catch chickenpox from:
- being in the same room as someone with it
- touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them
- someone who has shingles if you have not had chickenpox before (but you cannot catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox)
You can get the chickenpox vaccine on the NHS if there's a risk you could spread the virus to someone who has a weakened immune system.
For example, a child can be vaccinated if one of their parents is having chemotherapy.
You can also pay for the vaccine at some private clinics or travel clinics. It costs between £120 and £200.
