Chicken pox how does the rash start

This usually takes about 1 week. If you're unsure about whether your child is ready to return to school, ask your doctor. If they are exposed to chickenpox, they might be given a medicine zoster immune globulin to make the illness less severe. Most people who get the chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox. And if they do get chickenpox, their symptoms will be much milder.

People 6 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox and aren't vaccinated can and should get two doses of the vaccine. Kids who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine — they usually have lifelong protection against the illness. Call your doctor if you think your child has chickenpox. The doctor can guide you in watching for complications and in choosing medicine to ease itching.

If you take your child to the doctor, let the staff know ahead of time that your child might have chickenpox. It's important not to expose other kids in the office — for some of them, a chickenpox infection could cause serious complications. A virus causes chickenpox, so antibiotics can't treat it. But antibiotics are needed if bacteria infect the sores. This can happen when kids scratch and pick at the blisters.

An antiviral medicine might be prescribed for people with chickenpox who are at risk for complications. The depends on the:.

Never give aspirin to kids with chickenpox. For more information, see complications. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Chickenpox Varicella. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. You'll need to see a doctor because you could have an infection. While you have the chickenpox, a pain reliever like acetaminophen might help you feel better, but let your parents help you with this.

Medicines and creams that may stop the itch can also be helpful. Do not take aspirin because it can cause a rare but serious illness in kids called Reye syndrome. It doesn't usually happen, but let your parents know if you feel especially bad. Sometimes, chickenpox leads to other, more serious illnesses. Most kids don't have any major problems and get better in a week or two. And when all the blisters have scabs, you're not contagious anymore and you can go back to school!

In a few days, the scabs will fall off. A kid who gets chickenpox is unlikely to ever get it again. Not long ago, millions of people got chickenpox each year in the United States. But now that kids get the vaccine, fewer and fewer people get chickenpox.

But kids can get vaccinated when they're older too. Ask your mom or dad if you've had your shots. You'll be glad that you did if chickenpox starts making its way around your school! They are more common in adults and people with weak immune systems. Complications may include:. If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, call your healthcare provider. You should tell your provider as quickly as possible if you get these symptoms:.

Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes chickenpox? Who is at risk for chickenpox? Most people who have had chickenpox will be immune to the disease for the rest of their lives. However, the virus remains inactive in nerve tissue and may reactivate later in life causing shingles. Very rarely, a second case of chickenpox does happen. Blood tests can confirm immunity to chickenpox in people who are unsure if they have had the disease.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox? Symptoms may include: Fatigue and irritability one to two days before the rash begins Itchy rash on the trunk, face, scalp, under the armpits, on the upper arms and legs, and inside the mouth. The rash appears in several crops. It starts as flat red spots and progresses to raised red bumps that then become blisters.

Feeling ill Decreased appetite The initial symptoms of chickenpox may resemble other infections. How is chickenpox diagnosed? How is chickenpox treated? Specific treatment for chickenpox will be determined by your healthcare provider based on: Your overall health and medical history Extent of the condition Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies Expectations for the course of the condition Your opinion or preference Treatment for chickenpox may include: Acetaminophen to reduce fever.