Chickenpox in children: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

In this article you will receive answers to many questions regarding chickenpox. What are the signs, symptoms, how to treat, how much a child will hurt, the prevention of the disease and much more.

Rarely, one of the people has not been ill with chickenpox (chickenpox) in childhood or older age. But still for each of the parents, this disease becomes an unpleasant surprise. There are many questions. Pimples appeared, how to say for sure - is it a rash from chickenpox or not? And how to feed the child? How to process rashes? Can I wash? And what kind of drugs to drink? And many other questions, the answers to which you will find below.

Important: chickenpox is an infectious disease!

A windspower is an infectious disease, the main feature of which is a rash on the body in the form of small bubbles. Once having been ill with chickenpox, a person for life acquires a persistent immunity for her. It is transmitted using herpes simplex viruses that affect the mucous membranes and skin cells.

Causes of chickenpox disease

The herpes virus, which calls the chickenpox, is transmitted by airborne droplets from the sick to the child who has not yet been sick.

Important: the incubation period of the disease ranges from 10 to 21 days. If during this time the bearer of the virus has contacted children who do not have immunity to chickenpox (at school, in transport, in the garden), that is, there is a high probability that they will become infected.

It is hard to say for sure whether there was contact or not, because
the carrier of the virus becomes contagious 2 days before the rash appears.
And a week after the appearance of the rash, the opportunity to infect others remains.

Chickencocks are mostly sick, but adults can become infected

The older a person for a period of illness, the more difficult the disease proceeds and the risks of complications are higher. Breast babies (up to 6 months) rarely suffer from chickenpox, as they receive immunity from the mother, provided that she was ill with chickenpox. After 10 years, cases of infection are also rare, children with weakened immunity are most often infected, so the disease is difficult.

The most common cases of disease in children aged from year to 5 years.

Most of the outbreaks of chickenpox are noted in the spring and when children entering the team after the holidays.

Primary signs of chickenpox

As already mentioned, the most important and obvious sign of chickenpox is a rash. The number of pimples increases a little, not in one day.

Important: each pimple has several stages of development. At first it is a small pink point. Then this point grows, turns into a convex spot with a bubble fluid inside. A little later, the bubble bursts, dries with a crust, the crust falls off.

Pimples itch very much, so you need to make sure that the child does not comb them. So you will avoid the introduction of additional infection and scars in the place of acne. Of course, the older the child, the more he is aware, and he can explain why acne cannot be scratched. Pimples that appear again will already be smaller in size, because antibodies appear in the child’s body that fight the herpes virus.

Important: the rash can affect the mucous membranes, cause conjunctivitis, but there is usually no rash on the feet and palms. Therefore, if you notice pimples in these places, then perhaps your child has become infected with a different disease.

Scars most often do not remain, because the upper layers of the skin are affected. Single scars may remain either after combing.

Secondary signs of chickenpox

• Increased lymph nodes.
• Lethargy.
• Nausea.
• Weakness.
• Elevated temperature.

Improper treatment of chickenpox

It stretches to us from the time of our grandmothers. Then doctors advised all mothers to pierce blisters and smear, smear, smear them with green, several times a day. You can’t walk at the same time, you can’t swim either. Modern doctors, not all, of course, but many, support such a technique for treating chickenpox.

It is impossible to kill the infection with green. The maximum that can do green is to disinfect the wound after a bursting blister and dry the rash. In addition, the multiple use of greens during the day will violate the balance of microorganisms, harmful and useful, and this will lead to scarring.

Important: lubricating the wounds, few use a separate swab for each, and using one for all, you can even more distribute a rash over the body.

If the high temperature remains even after using paracetamol, and the called doctor prescribes aspirin,

Important: in no case do not give aspirin if the child is less than 15 years old. If you take aspirin with chickenpox, then Reye syndrome may develop.

This is acute liver encephalopathy due to edema of the liver and brain.

Proper treatment of chickenpox

• If chickenpox usually proceeds, without complications, then treatment is carried out at home. The bubbles must be lubricated with an antiseptic, you can choose from these - green, facorzin, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and a kalamin lotion. You need to smear the bubble once, preferably a disposable cotton wool
• One of the most annoying symptoms is itching. Itching is removed with antihistamines - Suprastin, Diazolin, Tavegil. You need to wear a child so that he does not sweat, because sweat provokes itching. At night you can put on gloves, since in a dream control weakens
• If the temperature rises, you need to give an antipyretic - paracetamol or ibuprofenAccording to the age of the child. For very young children, the antipyretic is produced in the form of rectal candles, which can be used during sleep. You need to knock down the temperature if it rises above 38 degrees. If the temperature is less than 38 degrees, do not knock down, this immunity fights with viruses
• It is important during treatment to observe bed rest for 7-8 days. You need to drink a lot of liquids, eat mainly dairy products and vegetables. Exclude all salty and acute from the diet
• One of the main factors affecting the severity of the course of the disease is hygiene. Make sure that the nails are briefly trimmed. It is necessary to change bedding and clothes of the child as often as possible. Clothing should be chosen with a long sleeve to reduce combing. If the child has recovered, then you can walk, preferably away from other children
• You should not take a bath, so the rash will spread stronger, and you can take a shower. But quickly and without soap. After washing, do not rub the body with a towel, but get wet. Hands can be washed without restrictions
• If conjunctivitis has developed, lay the ointment in the eyes " Acyclovir»

Complications after chickenpox: what to do?

When any of the following features appears, immediately call the doctor, since such manifestations indicate complications:

• If the bubbles turn blue, grow, are poured with blood
• Diarrhea, convulsions, frequent vomiting
• Nose bleed
• The spread of a rash on the eyes, the oral cavity (may indicate the presence of the same rash on the internal organs)
• The temperature is above 37 degrees more than a week, even on condition that the pimples dry and crusts disappear

Prevention of chickenpox

Recently, the widespread of chickenpox is noted not only in children, but also in adults. In Russia, there is a vaccine against chickenpox, it can be delivered to the child from one year, if there are no contraindications. There are no vaccinations in the calendar, but perhaps this vaccine will be put in the calendar in the near future.

Important: chickenpox is a frequent disease, but usually proceeds easily. Correct care, care and patience - these are three whales that your child’s health rests on.

Video: chickenpox - School of Dr. Komarovsky