Severe itching during chickenpox: what to do, how to relieve?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Causes of the itching with chickenpox
Varicella Zoster virus, a type three herpes virus, is provoked by chicken pox. Infected from the patient at the end of the incubation period, the duration of which is 21 days, and until the crusts formed at the site of the bursting bubbles disappear (on average 5 days), the susceptibility to it is 70%.
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Risk factors
People who have not recovered from it are susceptible to chickenpox. Other risk factors include visits to kindergartens, schools and other institutions, where close contact between children is unavoidable, lack of vaccination, and weakened immunity.
Pathogenesis
The penetration of the virus into the person occurs through the upper respiratory tract, where it is embedded in the epithelium of the mucous membrane, and then enters the blood. The next stage is the appearance of visible signs of infection: reddening of individual areas of the skin in the form of spots, formation of papules with serous fluid inside, exfoliation of the epidermis (vesicles).
The rash is wave-like, so at the same time you can see their different condition on the body. Their initial localization is most often observed in areas of the head, on the folds of the arms and legs, then spreads to the body.
When does chickenpox itch begin?
The appearance of lesions on the body is often accompanied by fever and itching in the first days, which can last up to 5 days. At this time it is important to refrain from scratching, so as not to damage the germ layer of the epidermis and not leave scars on the skin.
Adults who have not had chickenpox in childhood may well become infected by contact with infected people. All symptoms of the disease do not differ from those of children, but the disease is much more complicated and there is a high probability of complications.
Rash can cover not only the superficial layers of the skin, but also the mucous membranes: the oral cavity, genital organs, which causes them to itch.
Diagnostics of the itching with chickenpox
As a rule, the diagnosis of chicken pox, does not cause great difficulties, because it is indicated by a characteristic rash. If the clinical picture is insufficient, it is confirmed by a blood test and a scraping from epithelial skin cells under a microscope. The presence of IgG and IgM antibodies is determined using a serological test.
Treatment of the itching with chickenpox
One of the unpleasant symptoms of chickenpox is itching, sometimes severe. This is due to the reproduction of the virus on the surface of the epidermis. Many suffer from itching, so the question arises, how to ease it, what to remove with chickenpox?
It’s not worth doing anything yourself, but you need to consult a doctor. Depending on the course of the disease and the characteristics of the body, it will prescribe antihistamines, among which may be ointments, gels, sprays, tablets.
How to relieve the itch of chickenpox medication?
Among the drugs intended to reduce the itch of chickenpox, the advantage of those funds that are taken by mouth. You can apply these pills: Dimedrol, tavegil, suprastin, zyrtek, zodak.
Zyrtec - antiallergic pills. For adolescents and adults, the daily dose is 1 tablet. Children after 6 years old are recommended to take half a pill twice a day. The maximum admission period is a week. The drug is not prescribed to pregnant, lactating women, children under 6 years. It is contraindicated for those who have to drive a vehicle. Of the side effects may appear dry mouth, drowsiness, headache, rarely allergic rashes.
Suprastin - taken with meals, washed down with a large amount of water. Dose for children from 3 to 6 years old - 0.5 tablets twice a day, 6-14 years - the same 3 times, older than this age - 3-4 pieces per day. Contraindicated during attacks of bronchial asthma, glaucoma, gastric ulcer, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias. Do not apply to children under 3 years old, pregnant, during lactation. Suprastin can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, urinary retention.
Zodak is an antagonist of peripheral H 1 receptors. Children 6-12 years old are recommended to take a pill twice a day, older than this age and adults - a pill once a day. Swallow whole with a glass of water. Use with caution during pregnancy and lactation. Not appointed until 6 years of age, with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pathologies of the kidneys and impaired renal function.
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External remedies for itching with chickenpox
If it is impossible for any reason to take oral antipruritic drugs, there are quite a few external remedies for eliminating the itch of chickenpox. These are ointments, creams, gels. Among them:
- Cyndol is a suspension that has a drying, antiseptic effect. Apply on the affected areas 2-3 times a day. It can be used during childbirth. Of the side effects, local allergic reactions were rarely observed;
- fenistil - gel with a cooling effect, quickly penetrates the skin, after 1-4 hours has the maximum effect: relieves itching, irritation. Children under 2 years of age are only prescribed by a doctor in small areas of the body, the same applies to pregnant women, as well as during lactation.
There is a multifunctional lotion "Calamine" for itching for various skin diseases, including chickenpox. It does not contain alcohol, but is made from natural ingredients, so it has practically no contraindications. Before use, the vial is agitated, the contents are moistened with a cotton pad and applied to the lesions with wetting movements.
To modern outdoor sprays, replacing the traditional little green, are sprays. For the treatment of the skin surface, you can apply these:
- Flocet - its basis consists of natural substances: chamomile essential oils, calendula, aluminum aceto-tartrate mineral;
- epigen - a drug for mucous membranes, used for chicken rash on the genitals;
- d-panthenol - softens skin layers after the formation of vesicles, promotes the regeneration of the epidermis.
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Alternative treatment
What can be applied at home to reduce itching? Among the recipes for alternative treatment are warm baths with the addition of soda or oatmeal. Weaken itchy and cool compresses. Inside it is recommended to consume blueberries, drink raspberry juice, a few spoons of honey and lemon juice a day. All this weakens the chickenpox virus.
Herbal medicine
Herbs such as chamomile, calendula, celandine, and yarrow are used as bath additives. For rubdowns, you can apply barley decoction. When itching in the mouth rinse make infusion of sage. Inside take an infusion of parsley, oat grass, celery root juice.
Homeopathy
On the list of homeopathic remedies for itching for chickenpox:
- ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunkulus bulbozus) - tuberiform buttercup;
- sodium muriathicum or sodium chloride;
- apis mellifica (apis) - it is based on honeybees;
- cantaris - made of Spanish fly;
- rhus toxicodendron (rus toksidendron) - its components are sumac and oak poisonous.
Dose, method of application, dilutions are determined by the homeopath, depending on the physical, behavioral characteristics of the person.
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More information of the treatment
Complications and consequences
Children with chickenpox are less likely to have complications than adults. In case of non-observance of hygiene measures for body care during the period of illness, infection of open wounds is possible.
For adults, the consequences can be more dangerous and manifest in the occurrence of shingles, damage to internal organs, pneumonia. Especially the disease is dangerous for pregnant women like the development of fetal abnormalities.
Prevention
The main prophylactic against chickenpox is vaccination. It is possible to vaccinate children from year to year, as well as adults, who are most often characterized by a severe course of the disease. To avoid this, there is another way - one way is to try to get chicken pox in childhood. Parents should contribute to the contact of the child with the sick.
With chickenpox, the patient is isolated, and 5 days after the last rash, this restriction is removed.
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Forecast
For children with chickenpox in childhood, the prognosis is favorable, but the course of the disease can be aggravated by the layering of a bacterial infection, which will have to be fought with antibiotics. In adulthood, there is a chance of recurrence of the disease in the form of shingles.
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