You should always consult
On the diagnostic side, the symptoms of chicken pox leave little room for doubt: the blisters appear on the face and scalp before reaching the whole body, including the buttocks.
The appearance of these small bubbles on the skin is sometimes preceded by headaches and/or stomachaches.
However, it is advisable to consult if the child is less than 1 year old or if the eruption is very important. And it is imperative if he is immunocompromised or shows signs of superinfection: fever exceeding 38.5°C, sunken pimples, dark, painful, surrounded by redness… In all cases, the doctor must record the occurrence of the disease in the health record.
Treatment is not necessary
Indeed, only very important outbreaks may require the administration of an antiviral. If there is a fever, it is often mild.
It is then necessary to seek to lower it with simple measures: do not cover the child too much, offer him to drink regularly, maintain the temperature of his room at 19 ° C, give him paracetamol if necessary. Aspirin and ibuprofen are prohibited. If the child is taking corticosteroids to treat asthma or eczema, this should be reported to the doctor.
Cutting the nails is useful
Indeed, cutting and filing the patient’s nails is a precaution to prevent the appearance of scars and secondary infection.
The prescription of antihistamine syrup to numb the itching has not been proven to be effective. The application of cream or talc is contraindicated. A daily bath or shower with an antiseptic soap has a soothing effect and limits the risk of secondary infection.
It is necessary to dry the child well, in particular on the level of the folds. Not with a hair dryer as we used to advise, but by gently dabbing with a towel. Each new vesicle, as long as it has not become a scab, must be disinfected using an uncolored antiseptic.
You can then apply Cicalfate lotion (Avène).
A vaccine is available
Yes, but the varicella vaccine is not included in the vaccination schedule for all children. In France, it is indeed recommended and reimbursed only in the case of an immune deficiency and in people over 13 who have never contracted the disease.
The child must stay at home
Eviction is not mandatory. If chickenpox is unpleasant to live with, it is better to catch it early. Because the older you get, the stronger the symptoms and the more frequent the complications. The virus must therefore circulate as much as possible among young children. They can go to the nanny, to the crèche or to school. Unless the itching or fever bothers them too much.
Our expert: Dr Sarah Bursaux, pediatrician (Paris)
For further
Chicken pox: the importance of vaccination in adults
Chicken pox and ibuprofen: a mother raises the alarm
