Chickenpox

Find out more about chickenpox, an infection that's spread easily and causes an itchy, spotty rash.

Chickenpox is a common infection that spreads easily and mostly affects children. It usually gets better on its own after 1 to 2 weeks without needing to see a GP, but can be serious in some people.

The main symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, spotty rash. It can be anywhere on the body.

Before or after the rash appears, you might also have:

  • a high temperature
  • aches and pains, and generally feel unwell
  • loss of appetite

Chickenpox happens in 3 stages, but new spots can appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.

Stage 1: small spots appear

The spots can:

  • be anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth and around the genitals, which can be painful
  • spread or stay in a small area
  • be red, pink, darker or the same colour as surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone
  • be harder to see on brown and black skin

The spots fill with fluid and become blisters. The blisters are very itchy and may burst.

The spots form a scab. Some scabs are flaky, while others leak fluid.

If you're not sure it's chickenpox

Check other rashes in children

If you have chickenpox, you'll need to stay off school, nursery or work until all the spots have formed a scab. This is usually 5 days after the spots first appeared.

There are things you can do to treat chickenpox yourself at home without needing to see a GP.

Do

  • drink plenty of fluids (try ice lollies if your child is not drinking)

  • take paracetamol to help with any pain and discomfort

  • cut your child's fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching

  • use cooling creams or gels from a pharmacy

  • speak to a pharmacist about using antihistamine medicine to help itching

  • bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)

  • dress in loose clothes

Don't

  • do not use ibuprofen unless you're told to by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections

  • do not give aspirin to children under 16 years

  • do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring

Important

Do not go near newborn babies or anyone who's pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.

Chickenpox is usually not serious, but it can be serious for some people and sometimes you may need medical help.

See a GP if:

  • you're not sure it's chickenpox
  • you're breastfeeding and have chickenpox symptoms

Contact the GP surgery before you go in, and tell the receptionist you think it might be chickenpox.

Get help from NHS 111 now if:

  • the symptoms get worse, such as red, hot or painful skin around the blisters (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
  • your child has chickenpox and is showing signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
  • you've been near someone with chickenpox and you have a weakened immune system or you're pregnant
  • you think your newborn baby has chickenpox or has been near someone with chickenpox
  • you have chickenpox and you're more short of breath than usual
  • you or your child have any other symptoms you're worried about

Some people may be able to take medicine to prevent complications from chickenpox. It needs to be started within 24 hours of the spots appearing.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.

You can spread chickenpox to other people from 2 days before your spots appear until they have all formed scabs, which is usually 5 days after your spots appeared.

The spots start appearing around 1 to 3 weeks after you caught chickenpox.

You can catch chickenpox from:

  • being in the same room as someone with it
  • touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them
  • someone who has shingles if you have not had chickenpox before (but you cannot catch shingles from someone who has chickenpox)

Children are now offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella).

They are offered 2 doses of the vaccine when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine.

You may also be offered the chickenpox vaccine on the NHS if there's a risk you could spread the virus to someone who has a weakened immune system.

For example, you can be vaccinated if you're living with someone who is having chemotherapy.