Caused by the virus varicella zoster, chicken pox often occurs during childhood, though it may affect a person of any age. The skin forms a red, itchy rash on the back, stomach or face. The condition continues to spread over the body for two to four days. The rash first appears as small red bumps, which develop into fluid-filled blisters. Most cases of chicken pox are treated at home unless complications develop or a patient is in a high-risk group. High-risk patients include infants, teenagers and adults. People with poor immune systems or who suffer from eczema are also at higher risk of developing complications. Outbreaks of the condition have decreased due to the wide use of chicken pox vaccine.
Scratch Relief
A person who develops chicken pox will feel the urge to scratch the rash and blisters. Scratching causes increased skin irritation and infection that can lead to permanent scarring. Chicken pox victims should clip their nails short to avoid damaging skin. The Mayo Clinic recommends wearing cosmetic gloves at night so patients do not scratch themselves when sleeping.
Bath Time and Compresses
Cool and warm baths decrease the discomfort associated with chickenpox. A daily shower will also relieve symptoms if a bathtub is not available. According to Kids Health, bathing will not spread the condition to other parts of the body. Adding a small amount of baking soda or oatmeal bath powder also soothes skin. The skin should never be rubbed down after a bath; a person should pat the skin dry to avoid irritation. Always wash towels and clean the bathtub after use to avoid spreading the infection if others in the home have not had the chicken pox or received the vaccine. Cool compresses can be applied to the skin, too.
Medications
Chickenpox is not treated with antibiotics because it is caused by a virus. However, if bacteria enter the blisters when the patient scratches them, a bacterial infection may develop for which antibiotics are prescribed. Over-the-counter antihistamine medications may alleviate itching. Patients can also try applying calamine lotion to the rash. All patients, children and adults, should take only ibuprofen or acetaminophen during a bout of the chicken pox. Taking aspirin may lead to Reye's syndrome, a serious disease that targets the brain and liver.
