Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus and is sometimes referred to as varicella. It is an extremely contagious disease spread through the air by coughs or sneezes and can also be transmitted by touching chickenpox blisters and not washing your hands well afterward. The disease is rare in adults, as most people either have chickenpox as children or have been vaccinated against the virus. When an adult is infected the illness is often much worse than it is in children.
Step 1
See a physician if you develop any of the symptoms of chickenpox. These include an itchy red rash, fever, aches, pain, headache, fatigue and irritability. It is especially important to see a doctor right away if you know you were exposed to the virus 10 to 21 days earlier.
Step 2
Take appropriate medications for adults. These may include acyclovir if your physician prescribes it. This is an antiviral drug that can decrease the severity of your infection. Aside from prescriptions, ibuprofen and antihistamine products can ease pain and itchiness.
Step 3
Rub an anti-itch lotion, such as one containing zinc oxide, to relieve irritated blisters. Follow the manufacturer's directions for use.
Step 4
Take a warm (not hot) bath several times a day to soothe the rash. Put 2 oz. of baking soda or oatmeal in the tub to help with itching. Use a small amount of soap in one of these baths to remove bacteria from your skin. Gently pat your skin dry following bathing.
Step 5
Cool your blisters with a cold compress or wet washcloth for half an hour at a time. Wash the washcloth in hot water after use.
Step 6
Trim your nails down and file them so that if you scratch you are less likely to break open or irritate blisters and cause infection.
Step 7
Follow up with your physician once the blisters have scabbed over. Adults sometimes experience complications from chickenpox and need to be monitored closely. Get emergency medical attention if you develop a high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, become disoriented, experience difficulty in breathing or develop a bad cough.
Tips and Warnings
- Protect others from contracting your illness by isolating yourself until all your blisters have developed scabs. Prevent the possibility of adult chickenpox by getting vaccinated if you did not have the illness as a child.
- Do not travel on an airplane until you have been free of the chickenpox blisters for at least six days. Pregnant women who develop chickenpox need to be highly monitored by medical personnel as they are more likely to develop severe complications from the disease than others.
Things You'll Need
- Ibuprofen
- Antihistamine
- Anti-itch lotion
- Baking soda or oatmeal
