Updated
Chickenpox in Kids: What Parents Should Know
Chickenpox is a common, itchy viral infection in children. Here is how to spot it, treat it at home, and know when to get medical help.
Your child is not the general case. Ask about yours →
What it is
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus [1]. It spreads very easily from one person to another [1]. Most cases are in children under age 15 [1]. Up to 90% of people who are not immune and are close to someone with chickenpox will get infected [6].
The classic symptom is an itchy rash [1]. The rash turns into fluid-filled blisters and then into scabs [1]. It usually shows up on the face, chest, and back, then spreads to the rest of the body [1]. A person may have as many as 500 blisters [8]. It takes about 1 week for all blisters to become scabs [8].
Other symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and loss of appetite [1]. Chickenpox usually lasts 5 to 10 days [1]. Some sources say illness lasts about 4 to 7 days [2]. Children usually miss 5 to 6 days of school or childcare [2].
A person with chickenpox is contagious 1 to 2 days before the rash begins, until all lesions have crusted over [6]. For most people, getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life [2]. It is uncommon, but a person can get it more than once [2].
What you can do at home
Stay off school, nursery, or work until all spots have formed a scab. This is usually 5 days after the spots first appeared [3].
Do:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Try ice lollies if your child is not drinking [3].
- Take paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort [3].
- Cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop scratching [3].
- Use cooling creams or gels from a pharmacy [3].
- Speak to a pharmacist about antihistamine medicine to help itching [3].
- Bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry. Do not rub [3].
- Dress in loose clothes [3].
- Calamine lotion and oatmeal baths can help with itching [1].
Don’t:
- Do not use ibuprofen unless a doctor tells you to. It may cause serious skin infections [3].
- Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years [3]. Aspirin with chickenpox can cause Reye syndrome [1].
- Do not scratch the spots. Scratching can cause scarring [3].
Do not go near newborn babies, anyone who is pregnant, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Chickenpox can be dangerous for them [3].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
See a GP if:
- You are not sure it is chickenpox [4].
- You are breastfeeding and have chickenpox symptoms [4].
Contact your doctor’s surgery before you go in. Tell the receptionist you think it might be chickenpox [4].
Get urgent help now if:
- Symptoms get worse, such as red, hot, or painful skin around the blisters. Redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin [4].
- Your child has chickenpox and shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies [4].
- You have been near someone with chickenpox and you have a weakened immune system or you are pregnant [4].
- You think your newborn baby has chickenpox or has been near someone with chickenpox [4].
- You have chickenpox and you are more short of breath than usual [4].
- You or your child have any other symptoms you are worried about [4].
Some people may be able to take medicine to prevent complications. It needs to be started within 24 hours of the spots appearing [4]. Get medical advice if you need it — check if it is urgente for a child under 5 years old [4].
Chickenpox can be serious, even life-threatening, especially during pregnancy, in babies, adolescents, adults, and people with weakened immune systems [10]. Antiviral medication is recommended for people more likely to develop dangerous illness [9].
Common questions
Can my child get chickenpox after being vaccinated? Yes. Some vaccinated people can still get chickenpox, but they usually have milder symptoms [8]. Vaccinated people who get the disease can still spread it to others [6].
Is there a vaccine? Yes. A chickenpox vaccine can help prevent most cases, or make it less severe [1]. Children are offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. They get 2 doses at 12 months and 18 months old [5].
Can chickenpox come back later? Once you catch chickenpox, the virus usually stays in your body. You probably will not get chickenpox again, but the virus can cause shingles in adults [1].
Sources
[1] MedlinePlus — “Chickenpox” (2025), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/chickenpox.html [2] CDC — “About Chickenpox”, section “About Chickenpox Key points”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html [3] NHS — “Chickenpox” (2025), section “How you can treat chickenpox yourself”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/ [4] NHS — “Chickenpox” (2025), section “When and where to get medical help”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/ [5] NHS — “Chickenpox” (2025), section “The chickenpox vaccine”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/ [6] CDC — “About Chickenpox”, section “How it spreads Contact with someone with chickenpox”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html [8] CDC — “About Chickenpox”, section “Signs and symptoms”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html [9] CDC — “About Chickenpox”, section “Treatment and recovery”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html [10] CDC — “About Chickenpox”, section “Who is at risk”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Free, no ads and no accounts — so a family who cannot pay for a paediatrician can still ask. If it helped you, help keep it that way. Support →