Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist
ChickenpoxNearly every child gets it once.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious childhood illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Itchy spots appear all over the body, turn into blisters and dry into crusts. Chickenpox clears by itself: most children are better within ten days. Anyone older than eleven can become considerably more ill.
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox often starts with a cold, listlessness and sometimes a mild fever. One to two days later, pink or red spots appear all over the body and turn into fluid-filled blisters. Blisters can also appear in the mouth, in the hair and on the eyelids. The blisters itch intensely, dry up after about a week and become crusts. Nearly every child in the Netherlands gets chickenpox once, usually before the age of six. After having it, you are almost always protected for life.
How do you catch chickenpox?
The varicella-zoster virus spreads through small droplets in the air, for instance through coughing or talking, and through the fluid from the blisters. After infection it takes up to three weeks for the first spots to appear. Someone with chickenpox is contagious from two days before the spots become visible, and remains so until all blisters have dried up. After chickenpox the virus stays dormant in the body for life; later in life it can become active again as shingles.
What can you do yourself?
There is no medicine that makes chickenpox clear faster; the illness heals by itself. Care focuses on the itch: keep nails short, keep the skin cool and use zinc ointment or a cooling gel against the itching. Bathing or showering is fine. For painful blisters in the mouth, something cold helps, such as an ice lolly. If your child feels well, they can go to school or daycare: they were already contagious before the spots appeared, so staying home usually doesn't prevent spreading. Do check whether the school or daycare has its own rules.
Please note
Try to prevent scratching. Scratching makes the itch worse, can cause the spots to become infected and can leave scars.
When to see a dermatologist or doctor?
Contact a doctor if your child becomes more ill, drinks poorly or develops a high fever, or if spots become infected. If you catch chickenpox as an adult, call your GP as soon as you get itchy spots and blisters: over the age of eleven the illness is often more severe. Are you pregnant or do you have a weakened immune system, for instance through prednisone or chemotherapy, and have you been near someone with chickenpox without having had the illness yourself? Then also contact your GP. Unsure whether the rash really is chickenpox? A dermatologist recognises the picture at a glance.
Please note
Are you pregnant, do you have a weakened immune system, or are you older than eleven and catching chickenpox? Always contact your GP.
Frequently asked questions
How long is chickenpox contagious?
From two days before the spots appear until all blisters have dried up. Drying up takes about a week. After that, chickenpox is no longer contagious.
Can my child go to school or daycare with chickenpox?
Yes, if your child feels well. They were already contagious before the spots appeared, so other children have usually been exposed. Do check whether the school or daycare has its own rules.
Can you get chickenpox twice?
Hardly ever. After the illness your body makes antibodies that protect you for life. The virus does stay dormant and can cause shingles later in life.
What helps against the itching of chickenpox?
Short nails, cool skin and zinc ointment or a cooling gel. Scratching makes the itch worse and can cause infected spots and scars. For blisters in the mouth, something cold helps, such as an ice lolly.
When should you see a doctor about chickenpox?
If your child becomes more ill, drinks poorly or develops a high fever, if spots become infected, if you are older than eleven and catch chickenpox yourself, or if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system and have been in contact with someone with chickenpox.
Sources and more information
- Mijn kind heeft waterpokken, moet ik iets doen? (thuisarts.nl)
- Waterpokken bij volwassenen (apotheek.nl)