According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chicken pox is a highly contagious disease that once caused about four million cases per year in the United States, mainly in children, until the introduction of an effective vaccine in 1995. Chicken pox is characterized by a painful, blistering rash that develops over the course of three to five days. Lesions scab or crust within seven to 10 days, although complete healing can take up to four weeks.
Supportive Care
University of Alabama School of Medicine Professor Richard J. Whitely, M.D. reports in the 2008 edition of "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" that treatment for chicken pox blisters centers on supportive care in order to prevent complications. Daily tepid water baths decrease pain and itching, while helping to keep the skin clean. Application of cool compresses can provide relief between baths. Patients should refrain from scratching as much as possible, in order to decrease the risk of scarring. Whitely recommends closely cropping fingernails, to minimize skin trauma and decrease the risk of secondary bacterial infections when scratching does occur.
Pain Relief
Chicken pox blisters often cause pain or soreness when they first appear. In addition, many patients suffer from systemic symptoms such as low-grade fever, headache and muscle or joint pain. According to the Nemours Foundation, over-the-counter acetaminophen can provide pain relief and reduce fever. Patients---or parents and caregivers, in the case of children---should take care to follow package directions regarding dosing and frequency. Aspirin is not recommended because it can cause a complication known as Reye's Syndrome in children and increases bleeding risk in patients of all ages.
Itch Relief
As chicken pox blisters begin to scab, they often become exquisitely itchy. Since scratching can lead to scarring and infections, the Mayo Clinic recommends over-the-counter oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, to relieve itch. Oral antihistamines cause drowsiness, so they can help children with chicken pox to sleep. Adults who use oral antihistamines to treat itching due to chicken pox blisters should refrain from driving or performing other activities that require alertness. For those who prefer topical medications, Whitely recommends medicated anti-itch lotion or a cool compress soaked in aluminum acetate solution, both of which are available without a prescription.
Antiviral Drugs
According to Whitely, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs for the treatment of chicken pox blisters in adults and adolescents, as well as in children under 12 with certain medical problems. Adults and adolescents with chicken pox typically develop more severe disease with greater risk of complications such as pneumonia, compared to children under 12. Children with medical problems that affect the immune system, who require aspirin therapy for coagulation disorders or who take immune-suppressing drugs for the treatment of autoimmune disease or to prevent organ transplant rejection may require antiviral drugs to clear the infection. The Mayo Clinic notes that three antiviral drugs treat chicken pox: acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. However, only acyclovir is approved for use in children.
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 23rd Edition;" A.S. Fauci et al.; 2008
- Nemours Foundation: Chicken Pox Instruction Sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Varicella Disease: General Questions
- MayoClinic.com: Chicken Pox: Treatments and Drugs
