Best Chickenpox Treatment in Delhi, India

Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although it is contagious, it affects only those who haven't been infected before. Otherwise, it is highly contagious to those without the disease earlier. It rarely occurs twice in an individual. 

The infection begins as an itchy, small, fluid-filled blister. In severe cases, the blister can involve the mouth, nose, eyes, and, in some cases, the genitals. It often affects children under the age of two. However, older children and adults can also get infected.

The virus transmits when a healthy person inhales infected particles from chickenpox blisters or when touching infected surfaces. This condition is contagious mainly during the first one to two days, just before the rash appears, and until the blisters have dried and crusted.

Vaccination against the disease helps protect from the virus. Its vaccine is safe and provides adequate protection against the disease.

Symptoms of Chickenpox Disease

The itchy blister rash caused by varicella zoster appears 10 to 21 days after a person is exposed to the virus. The infection lasts for about 5 to 10 days. Some symptoms that may appear at this stage are:

• Fever
• Feeling fatigued
• Loss of appetite
• Headache

When the chickenpox rash appears, it undergoes the following three phases:

• Raised pink or red bumps, called papules, appear, which break out.
• Small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles form, burst and leak.
• These vesicles then form crusts and scabs, which take several days to heal completely.

New bumps appear for many days and undergo the same stage. Before the rash appears, the disease is contagious for up to 48 hours and continues until the blisters crust. 

In severe cases, the rashes cover the whole body and involve the throat, eyes, and mucous membranes of the urethra, vagina, and anus.

Causes of Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It often spreads through direct contact with the patient or when a person with the disease coughs, sneezes, and inhales infected air droplets.

Diagnosis of Chickenpox

Clinical symptoms solely diagnose chickenpox. By looking at the patient's skin, doctors can diagnose it. Hence, no tests as such are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of Chickenpox

Chickenpox infection resolves on its own in a week or two. Only symptomatic relief can be provided during these days. The most irritating symptom of chickenpox is itching. To help with that, the following measures can be taken:

• Apply a cool, moist rag on the rash.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Keep the child cool.
• Encourage the child not to scratch. Trim their fingernails so they can't scratch.
• A lotion that contains antihistamines should be applied to the rash. 
• Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like diphenhydramine and cetirizine can be taken.
• A cool bath or shower every day also helps. Avoid rubbing the towel on the skin after the bath. Pat them dry. 
• Avoid giving the child aspirin. It can interact in patients with fever. Use acetaminophen instead.
• Plenty of liquids should be taken to prevent dehydration. Fluids and a soft, non-spicy diet will help treat mouth sores.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Chickenpox

To help ease the symptoms of chickenpox, the given self-care measures should be followed:

• Avoid scratching the itchy skin since scratching can cause scarring. It may also delay healing and increase the risk of the sores becoming infected. If scratching becomes irresistible:
• Wear gloves on the hands, especially at night.
• Trim the fingernails
• Relieve the itch and other symptoms with ice pack application
• Chickenpox rashes are itchy and stingy since the broken vesicles release itchy fluid. In addition, people experience fatigue, fever, and headache. To manage these symptoms, the following can be tried: 
• A cool bath with added baking soda, aluminium acetate, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal—freshly ground—is recommended.
• Dab calamine lotion on the spots.
• A soft, bland diet if the sores affect the mouth.
• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine help with itching. 
• Acetaminophen for fever

Complications of Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a mild disease and rarely presents complications. However, in some cases, due to multiple factors, chickenpox may lead to complications such as:

• Bacterial infections of the skin, bones, soft tissues, joints or bloodstream, known as sepsis
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers who are on aspirin during chickenpox
• Dehydration
• Pneumonia
• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• Death

Risk Factors of Chickenpox Disease 

People who have not had the infection previously carry an increased risk of developing the disease than those who have had it. In addition, people who have not been vaccinated against the virus also carry an increased risk of developing the infection. It is essential for people who work in childcare or school settings.

People rarely get re-infected with the varicella-zoster virus and are often immune to the disease. However, it is not impossible to have a re-infection. If people get chicken pox despite vaccination, symptoms are milder, and they have fewer blisters, with minimal to no fever.

People who carry an increased risk of developing chickenpox are:

• Newborns and infants whose mothers have never been infected with varicella-zoster
• Smokers
• Adolescents and adults
• Pregnant women with no history of chickenpox
• People with a compromised immune system
• People on steroid medications for other conditions, such as asthma

Prevention of Chickenpox

Children can be given vaccines to prevent chickenpox. It is advisable to speak to the health care provider and get the children vaccinated. 

It is advised to take at least two doses of the vaccine. First, when the child is under 13, between 12 and 15 months. Then, the second dose is advised when the child is between 4 and 6 years. If the child missed their vaccine before they turned 13, they should take two doses at least 28 days apart.

Vaccination should not be taken if the individual is:

• Allergic to the vaccine 
• Pregnant 
• Compromised immune system.
• Have tuberculosis.
• Aren't feeling well
• Recently underwent blood transfusion or taken a shot of some other live vaccine.

Outlook of Chickenpox 

Chickenpox has an excellent prognosis. People contract chickenpox only once in a lifetime. However, very rarely do people experience the infection for the second time. Most people get infected during childhood. Adult cases are rare. The chickenpox vaccine has made it possible to eradicate the disease and prevent its occurrence. 

Review 

Reviewed By Dr. Preeti Anand, Senior Consultant, Paediatrics (Ped), Paediatric (Ped) Intensive Care.