How to Recognize Symptoms and Treat Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox is preventable with an immunization from your medical provider. There are still a number of children who are not immunized and it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of chicken pox. You can treat chicken pox at home.

An important warning: Do NOT give aspirin during the course of the chicken pox infection.

Instructions

• 1

  Do not be surprised if your doctor chooses to treat the chicken pox infection over the phone, rather than have you come in the office. Medical providers are usually careful not to expose other children to the chicken pox infection. Avoiding exposure to chicken pox is especially important for children who have chronic medical problems. If you do go to the doctor's office, take steps to keep your child separated from other patients. If a child with a serious medical condition is exposed to chicken pox, the effects can be extreme.

• 2

  The first symptom of chicken pox you will recognize is a rash. The chicken pox rash goes through several stages. Initially the rash will appear as red splotches. The splotches will then become raised and often resemble small pimples.

  The chicken pox rashes typically appear on the scalp and face first. The rash will then extend to the remainder of the body. The most affected areas will usually be the shoulders, chest, and back. Less likely places to find the chicken pox rash is on the hands, feet, or mouth. But in some cases you will find chicken pox outbreaks here as well. The amount of chicken pox sores can be limited to a smaller number or they can be quite significant.

• 3

  These small pimple like bumps develop into blisters (vesicles). These chicken pox vesicles are very delicate. They will appear like small drops of water on the red base of the bump. These are easily scratched off by contact from finger nails or other material. The chicken pox vesicles typically appear in groups. There will be up to four groups that develop in the first 2 - 6 days.

  As the chicken pox vesicles break open, they will become pustular and crusty. This is the stage when the skin is most itchy. After a period of 9-13 days, the crust will fall off the skin.

• 4

  In most cases, chicken pox can be treated at home. In healthy children, there are rarely any complications. There are some specific factors that you should watch for and if they develop, call your doctor immediately.

  + If there are convulsions, rapid breathing, a stiff neck, severe tiredness, or severe headaches - get immediate medical attention.

  + If any of the chicken pox lesions show signs of becoming infected - call your doctor.

  + If the child is a cancer patient or has an immunity condition and has been exposed to chicken pox - call your doctor.

  + If you are pregnant or a new mother and contract chicken pox - call your doctor.

• 5

  The biggest focus of treating chicken pox is dealing with the extreme itching. Try to prevent damage from scratching by cutting fingernails and consider putting gloves on your child. Be sure to keep the hands very clean. This will prevent a bacterial infection.

  Treat the itching by adding Aveeno or 1/2 cup of baking soda to a warm bath. After the bath, Calamine lotion is also helpful in controlling the itching from chicken pox. If these methods of treatment do not provide adequate relief you can discuss the use of an antihistamine with your doctor.

• 6

  If there are chicken pox blisters in the mouth, a salt water gargle will help to treat the condition. Use one half teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water.