Chickenpox secondary prevention

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Michael Maddaleni, B.S.

Overview

There are several things that can be done at home to help relieve the symptoms and prevent skin infections. Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths may help relieve some of the itching. Keeping fingernails trimmed short may help prevent skin infections caused by scratching blisters.

Secondary Prevention

• Use non-aspirin medications, such as acetaminophen, to relieve fever from chickenpox.

• Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing products to relieve fever from chickenpox. The use of aspirin in children with chickenpox has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a severe disease that affects the liver and brain and can cause death.

Prescription Medications

Antiviral medications are recommended for people with chickenpox who are more likely to develop serious disease including:

• Otherwise healthy people older than 12 years of age
• People with chronic lung or skin disease such as eczema
• People receiving steroid therapy
• Some groups of pregnant women

Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, is licensed for treatment of chickenpox. Other antiviral medications that may also work against chickenpox include valacyclovir and famciclovir.

Hygiene

• It is important to maintain good hygiene and daily cleaning of skin with warm water to avoid secondary bacterial infection.
• Trimming of Finger nails short and using soft mitts or gloves on hands to avoid scratching while sleeping.

References

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