Chickenpox, the itchy childhood disease!
Chickenpox treatment
Pimples, blisters, scabs, scars, itching, contagious or not? Chickenpox raises a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know about chickenpox!
Chickenpox, a childhood disease?
Chickenpox is the most common childhood disease; it is a benign and almost obligatory condition! Each year, 550,000 to 750,000 cases result in just over 3,000 hospitalizations, 75% of which concern children under 16 years of age.
What is the origin of chickenpox?
It is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is the first infection by this virus which then reaches certain lymph nodes where it will remain latent. The acquired immunity is in principle definitive, but the viruses hibernating in the nerve ganglia can reactivate during a drop in immunity and cause shingles .
This childhood disease affects 50% of children before the age of 5, and 90% before the age of 12. 90% of the population has contracted chickenpox before the age of 15.
Chickenpox can occur year-round with peak outbreaks in winter and spring.
How to recognize chickenpox?
This childhood disease is described in 3 phases:
- The incubation phase : it lasts on average 14 days and is silent (no signs of the disease are observed)
- The invasion phase : it lasts from 1 to 3 days, the child has a moderate fever, headaches, is tired and may complain about his stomach. This phase precedes the eruption by 24 to 48 hours.
- The state phase : it lasts 10 to 15 days, this is when we observe the typical rashes that itch so much ! First red macules, that is, spots, which evolve into vesicles containing a clear liquid. These eventually dry up and form scabs that fall off after a week, sometimes leaving lighter spots. They only leave scars if they are scratched .
The chickenpox rash progresses in successive outbreaks, so we often have all three types of lesions on the body at the same time.
The rash usually first affects the scalp, face, trunk, then the limbs and sometimes the mucous membranes (around the eyes, inside the mouth, genitals).
A very contagious disease!
Chickenpox is highly contagious and is transmitted through nasopharyngeal droplets or direct contact with the fluid in the vesicles ; there is no virus in the scabs .
The patient is contagious 2 days before the rash and until the formation of scabs . Consequently, the presence of the child in a community is not desirable while the vesicles are present.
School eviction is not mandatory but recommended in the contagion phase of the disease. School and daycare center managers must be notified.
Can chickenpox become complicated?
4 to 8% of chickenpox cases become complicated in healthy children according to studies.
Bacterial superinfections are the main complications (1 to 4% of chickenpox) linked to scratching, in particular impetigo which is sometimes difficult to differentiate from chickenpox lesions.
There are other complications that most often require hospitalization, these are neurological disorders and pneumonia.
Adolescents have more severe chickenpox than children, with more skin lesions. Before the age of 5, it is mainly bacterial superinfections and pulmonary problems that are feared. Neurological complications are more observed in older children and adolescents.
The subjects most at risk during contact with a sick person are:
- Non-immune adults,
- People with weakened immune systems,
- Pregnant women.
In case of contact with chickenpox, these people should quickly consult their doctor.
Treatment of chickenpox
The basic treatments recommended are essentially local care, ensuring good hygiene and disinfection of the skin. The aim is to avoid any bacterial contamination.
Essential hygiene
One to two showers per day with a bar or dermatological liquid soap are recommended. Baths should be avoided to prevent the spots from macerating. Children's soaps formulated with plants such as burdock can also relieve itching. Traditionally used for dermatological care, geranium essential oil can be used in children to reduce the sensation of itching with the advice of a health professional specialized in aromatherapy.
Disinfection to avoid complications
Antiseptics such as chlorhexidine are essential to prevent superinfections, preferably choose an aqueous chlorhexidine which does not sting.
Drying and sanitizing lotions are a good replacement for antiseptics while protecting the skin. Presented in spray form, they are sprayed directly onto the affected area. In addition to absorbing oozing and limiting bacterial superinfections, they dry the skin and improve skin comfort by reducing scratching.
Powders, especially talc, should be avoided as they promote the accumulation of infected debris on the skin.
Other treatments
So-called "sedative" antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve itching. They do not exempt you from cutting your nails short or wearing gloves to avoid superinfections and scarring. If a chickenpox sore has already been scratched, applying a restorative cream can stop a scar from appearing.
Antivirals are indicated in people at risk or with complications.
In general, the fever is moderate and paracetamol is sufficient to treat it. It is strictly forbidden to use anti-inflammatories such as aspirin or ibuprofen because they can promote massive bacterial superinfections.
