Self Care Articles

Is this your child's symptom?

• A rash all over the body caused by the chickenpox virus.
• The chickenpox rash starts as small red bumps. The bumps change to blisters or pimples. The bumps change to open sores, and finally they scab over.
• A doctor has told you that your child has chickenpox.
• Or your child had close contact with another person who has it (or shingles). The contact should be 10-21 days earlier.

Symptoms of Chickenpox

• Chickenpox starts with some small water blisters or pimples on the head and trunk.
• Chickenpox progress within 24 hours through the next 5 stages:
  1. Small red bumps
  2. Thin-walled water blisters
  3. Cloudy blisters
  4. Open sores, and finally
  5. Dry brown crusts.
• Rash is all over the body. Most often, starts on the head and back.
• Repeated crops of new chickenpox keep appearing for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, all 5 stages are present at same time.
• Sores (ulcers) can also occur in the mouth, on eyelids, and on genitals.
• Fever is most often present. The more the rash, the higher the fever.
• Known contact to a child with chickenpox or shingles 10 - 21 days earlier
• Main related problems: skin infections from scratching.

Cause of Chickenpox

• Chickenpox is caused by a virus. It is called Varicella.
• Chickenpox can be prevented by getting this vaccine against this virus.