If your child is healthy, generally no specific treatment is required for chickenpox, although the doctor may prescribe medications like antihistamine to soothe the itching and relieve symptoms.
However, bring your child to a doctor if they display any of the following symptoms:
- Presence of pus or swollen, red areas around their rash
- Drowsiness or increased lethargy
- Refusal to drink or not passing adequate urine
- Hard or fast breathing
Caring for children with chickenpox
Keep your child at home as chickenpox is highly contagious. It can spread by direct contact, or through infected droplets from an infected person who coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by direct contact with contaminated objects or the fluid from an infected person’s blisters. The infectious period of chickenpox can begin as early as 2 days before the rash develops until one week later, when the blisters have dried out.
Inform your child’s school of their illness as there may be other children who have been exposed who may need to be treated or get vaccinated. Do not send your child back to school until there are no new blisters and the very last blister has dried out completely.
Ensure that your child has adequate rest and is kept well hydrated. Do not pop the blister or try to drain any fluid.
Speak to a paediatrician to learn more about the management of chickenpox.
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