Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection that causes an itchy, spotty rash. It's common in children but adults can get it too.
Symptoms of chickenpox include itchy red spots and blisters anywhere on the body.
Chickenpox usually gets better on its own after 1 to 2 weeks. You can ease symptoms with cooling creams, antihistamines and paracetamol.
You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with it. It's also spread by touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them.
Symptoms of chickenpox include itchy red spots and blisters anywhere on the body.
1. Chickenpox starts with red spots. They can appear anywhere on the body and might spread or stay in a small area.
2. The spots fill with fluid and become blisters. The blisters may burst.
3. The spots scab over. New spots might appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.
You might get symptoms before or after the spots appear, including:
Chickenpox is very itchy and can make children feel miserable, even if they do not have many spots. Chickenpox is usually much worse in adults.
It's possible to get chickenpox more than once, although it's unusual.
Chickenpox usually gets better on its own after 1 to 2 weeks. You can ease symptoms with cooling creams, antihistamines and paracetamol.
You'll need to stay away from school, nursery or work until all the spots have crusted over.
This is usually 5 days after the spots appeared.
drink plenty of fluid (try ice lollies if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration
take paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort
put socks on your child's hands at night to stop scratching
cut your child's nails
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
check with your airline if you're going on holiday – many airlines will not allow you to fly with chickenpox
do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections
do not give aspirin to children under 16
do not be around pregnant women, newborn babies and people with a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them
You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with it. It's also spread by touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them.