Chickenpox develops when people contract the varicella virus through direct contact with another infected individual or through an inanimate object such as a door knob or handle, asserts MedlinePlus. It takes two to three weeks before physical symptoms of itchy red blisters appear. In both healthy adults and children, chickenpox poses little threat and generally needs to run its course. However, people with serious health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly require immediate medical attention.
Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal contains skin-soothing elements such as silicon, avenanthramides and beta-glucan, which are helpful in reducing itching and inflammation that appears during the chickenpox cycle, notes the RN Guide to Skin Care website. Avenanthramides, for example, are unique to oats and quell inflammation and itchiness by blocking histamine, reports the Archive of Dermatological Research. Combined with lukewarm water, oatmeal baths provide a crusty, comforting coating to the skin to relieve itching for several hours. Simply add 1 to 2 cups of regular, unflavored oatmeal to a bath, and soak in it for at least 20 minutes. Do not rinse off the oatmeal but allow it to coat the skin to counter itching.
Oral and Topical Antihistamines
Histamine is the chemical compound that may cause the unrelenting itchiness of chickenpox, although sufficient evidence to prove this is still lacking, so it is the sedative nature of antihistamines that's thought to relieve itchiness. Either way, applying an antihistamine treatment orally or topically can significantly improve symptoms. The over-the-counter oral antihistamines diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine, or topical creams with phenol, menthol and camphor, provide the necessary antihistamine effect helpful in reducing itchiness.
Cool Compress
Although itching the chickenpox may provide some initial relief, doing so can also cause an infection. Since this disease is extremely contagious, it is essential to not break the blisters where the liquid can remain under the fingernails and easily pass to others around you. Using a cool compress made of soft, absorbent cloth can relieve itchy areas, says the Revolution Health website. Soaking the cloth in a baking soda or oatmeal paste before application can also provide relief. Baking soda helps to neutralize the acidic nature of skin irritation.
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