24/11/2025
CHICKENPOX (WOOLER)
We are currently hearing of cases of chickenpox among children.
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.
SYMPTOMS OF CHICKEN POX
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 (can be anywhere on the body)
STAGE 2: The spots become blisters
STAGE 3: The blisters become scabs
TREATING CHICKEN POX
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 is normally no need to see a GP, it can be treated at home with over the counter remedies from the pharmacy.
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.
SEE A GP IF:
You're concerned about yourself or your child (see below).
Tell the receptionist you think it might be chickenpox before going into a GP surgery as there may be vulnerable people there.
GET ADVICE FROM NHS 111 OR YOUR GP IF:
You or your child's chickenpox symptoms suddenly get worse
Your child has chickenpox and is showing signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
The skin around the chickenpox blisters is hot, painful and red (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
You're breastfeeding and have chickenpox symptoms
You're pregnant and have not had chickenpox before (or you're not sure) and you've been near someone with chickenpox
You have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox
You think your newborn baby has chickenpox or has been near someone with chickenpox
Some people may be able to take medicine to prevent complications. It needs to be started within 24 hours of the spots appearing.
HOW CHICKENPOX IS SPREAD
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)
