A red rash is gradually spreading over your child's body and causing intense itching? They have a slight fever and feel tired? Then your little explorer has probably caught chickenpox, one of the most common infectious diseases in children. Usually, chickenpox runs its course without complications, but the symptoms can be extremely bothersome. In this article, you'll learn how the disease progresses, what can help relieve your child's itching, and—if your little explorer has been spared so far—in which cases vaccination makes sense.
How are chickenpox transmitted?
Their name comes from how highly contagious chickenpox is: The Varicella-Zoster viruses that cause the disease can survive in the air for a long time and trigger infections over long distances—so to speak, via the wind. Usually, infection occurs through a Droplet infection from coughing, sneezing, or by inhaling fluid from the blisters of the rash. Infection can also occur via a Smear infection . The disease is contagious one to two days before the characteristic rash appears and remains so until all blisters have fully crusted over. If an unvaccinated or not-yet-immune person comes into contact with someone who has chickenpox during this period, it almost always results in infection.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
The first symptoms appear one to three weeks after infection . These may, but do not have to, include the following signs:
Mild fever
Fatigue
Discomfort
Head and limb pain
It is also possible that your child shows none of these symptoms and does not feel sick at all. Two to three weeks after infection, the typical skin rash begins. Usually, the first pustules appear on the face and torso before spreading to your child's arms and legs. The scalp, genital area, and mucous membranes can also be affected by the rash, while the palms of the hands are typically spared.
Initially, you will notice a bright red, raised rash—known as Bumps —on your little explorer’s skin. Within just a few hours, however, it turns into fluid-filled blisters and the itch begins and intensifies. After a few days, the blisters burst, dry out, and heal under crust formation within two weeks. The chickenpox rash appears in all stages at the same time. In the meantime, it is quite possible that your little explorer will have around 250 blisters in various stages (spots, papules, blisters, and crusts) all over the body. This typical appearance is also the reason the rash is sometimes described as a “starry sky.” Normally, chickenpox does not leave scars unless the blisters are scratched open or become infected.
How does chickenpox (varicella) progress?
In children of kindergarten or school age , chickenpox usually has a mild course . However, a typical complication is a so-called Superinfection (mixed infection) of the skin with bacteria, which often needs to be treated with antibiotics. Under poor hygienic and medical standards, the likelihood of this is higher. As age increases, the complication rate increases , so the infection among adolescents and adults can lead to pneumonia or brain (meningeal) inflammation. Regardless of age, however, the virus remains dormant in the body even after recovery. This means the viruses can trigger shingles (a herpes zoster infection similar to chickenpox) in anyone who has had chickenpox before. This can happen months or years later, especially when the immune system is already weakened.
What to do with chickenpox?
The typical rash usually makes the diagnosis of “chickenpox” quite clear. In early childhood, the infection usually clears up on its own, so only the bothersome symptoms can be treated and relieved . The uncomfortable itching that is surely bothering your child can often be eased with special powders and lotions (for example, a tincture with zinc or tannins) or, if necessary, with an antihistamine. It’s best to consult your pediatrician to determine which remedy is most suitable for your child.
Loose clothing, preferably made of cotton, washing with cold water, and cool compresses provide relief. If your child is suffering from a rash in the mouth, they should avoid acidic foods and drinks.
Careful skincare is also very important to prevent bacterial infections from developing and the blisters from becoming inflamed. To keep your child from scratching the itchy blisters, it’s best to keep their nails short. This also helps prevent scarring from scratching. If the rash does become inflamed, it can be treated with a disinfectant solution and/or antibiotics.
How long are chickenpox contagious?
Many small chickenpox patients do not feel sick at all. In this case, strict bed rest is not necessary. In the case of Fever or fatigue, on the other hand, rest and relaxation are naturally beneficial for your child's recovery. In any case, your child must stay at home with a chickenpox infection, because visiting daycare, kindergarten, and co. is tabu as long as they are contagious—until there is no risk of infection after about ten days . Especially for newborns and people with weakened immune systems, your little explorer should avoid contact during this time, and you should also wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of infection. Chickenpox is also mandatory reporting , so the pediatrician must inform the health department about every case.
Prevent chickenpox with the vaccination
The two-dose vaccination against chickenpox was developed in 1970. Since 2004, the vaccination has been recommended in Germany , because it provides immunity. Your baby usually receives the first vaccination between 11 and 14 months of age. This can be administered simultaneously with the MMR vaccine ( Mumps , Measles , rubella) or given separately at an interval of at least four weeks. The second dose is then given between 15 and 23 months. The vaccination is generally well tolerated; only in rare cases do local reactions occur, such as redness or swelling at the injection site, or mild symptoms of illness like fever or fatigue.
Not only children, but adults can also still be vaccinated against chickenpox. The vaccination is especially recommended for women wishing to conceive who have not previously had chickenpox. The reason is that a infection of the mother during the first five months of pregnancy can lead to severe malformations in the child. Even if the expectant mother becomes ill around the Expected Date of Birth , it can have dangerous consequences for your baby: The baby is born without protective antibodies and may become infected by the mother—life-threatening for a newborn. Your doctor can determine, based on potential risk factors during your pregnancy, such as an immune deficiency, whether vaccination or a special therapy is advisable to mitigate the illness.
For toddlers , chickenpox and the associated itching are quite annoying, but they generally run an uncomplicated and harmless course . If you want to spare your little explorer the rash and other possible symptoms, vaccination is the right choice. This way, your child will not only be immune to chickenpox for life, but also won’t risk developing shingles later on.
We wish your child good health and, if they have contracted chickenpox, a speedy recovery!
