How to Make Chicken Pox Stop Being Itchy

Chicken pox is a condition caused by infection with one of the human herpes viruses (HHV-3), also known as varicella-zoster virus, or VZV. The condition produces a red rash with blisters around the body; this can be itchy and sometimes painful. Finding relief from chicken pox rash involves both relieving the itching sensation as well as finding ways to help yourself to avoid the urge to scratch, along with mitigating the effects of some inevitable scratching.

Things You'll Need

• Topical anti-itch cream
• Antihistamine
• Oatmeal bath

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Instructions

Relieving Chicken Pox Itching

• 1

  Use a topical anti-itch cream such as calamine lotion in order to relieve the itching feeling. Use creams only according to the manufacturer's directions, and use caution when applying on or around the face so that the medicine is not ingested.

• 2

  Take over-the-counter antihistamines to relieve the itching from chicken pox rash. If pain or fever are also present, use acetaminophen to relieve these symptoms. Medline Plus reminds you never to use aspirin to treat chicken pox in either children or adults, as this contributes to Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that develops when aspirin is taken by people with viral infections.

• 3

  Try oatmeal baths to relieve itching. The Mayo Clinic recommends using somewhat cool water along with baking soda, oatmeal, or a form of oatmeal designed for bathing, colloidal oatmeal.

• 4

  Prepare for some scratching that is bound to happen. Scratching chicken pox sores can cause them to become infected, so nails should be kept short while the rash is active. Soft mittens or socks can be worn over the hands to prevent scratching. Make sure the mittens or socks are not abrasive so that the rash does not become further irritated.