Chickenpox Treatment: Medication, Lifestyle Changes, and More

Chickenpox, also called varicella, mostly affects children. But you can still get it as an adult if you’re exposed to the varicella-zoster virus and you don’t already have immunity from the chickenpox vaccine or from getting the disease in the past.

If you have chickenpox or you think you might have it, talk with your doctor before starting any medication or remedy. Your doctor can do tests if needed and recommend the right treatment for you.

Sometimes, doctors may prescribe one or more medications for treating and managing chickenpox symptoms. If you’re thinking about trying any over-the-counter medications, talk with your doctor first. Certain medications, like aspirin, are off-limits when you have chickenpox (more on this below).

Medicines that your doctor may recommend include:

Antivirals

Your doctor may prescribe these if you’re at a high risk of getting severe complications from a chickenpox infection.

• Have a weakened immune system
• Are pregnant
• Are on immune-suppressing drugs
• Have certain health conditions, like leukemia, chronic lung disease, or HIV/AIDS

• acyclovir (Zovirax)
• foscarnet (Foscavir)
• valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Pain Relievers

Experts recommend treating fevers or minor aches from chickenpox with acetaminophen (Tylenol).

“You should absolutely not use aspirin, as this can cause a rare complication known as Reye’s syndrome,” says Amy Edwards, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

However, Dr. Edwards says: “The data is marginal at best, and some doctors are still comfortable using them when needed with close supervision.”

Antihistamines

“In general, we recommend avoiding any medicated cream (antibiotic, antihistamine) on the skin,” Edwards says. She notes that this is because the skin is not intact in people with chickenpox, and you can absorb the medication into the deeper layers of your skin, where it isn’t meant to be. “This can cause a worse rash and in some people can ‘prime’ their skin’s immune system to react to that cream in the future, even when the chickenpox is gone.”

Immune Globulin

• Hospitalized premature babies whose mothers are not immune to varicella
• Pregnant people without evidence of immunity
• Those with compromised immune systems

“In truth, most ‘home remedies’ for chickenpox haven’t really been tested in a high-quality trial to really know if they are effective,” Edwards says. But it’s generally accepted that some of the home-based treatments may reduce the itching, pain, and discomfort linked with chickenpox, she says.

• Apply cool compresses. Place a cloth soaked in cold water on painful or itchy areas. Leave it in place for a few minutes to an hour. This may ease discomfort and reduce the temptation to scratch.
• Take cool baths. Soak in a bath of cool water with added elements, such as baking soda, rolled or ground oats, or a commercial oatmeal bath product. That can help ease the itching brought on by chickenpox. Both wet compresses and cool baths may be most effective at relieving itching when they’re done every three to four hours for the first few days of chickenpox symptoms.
• Use calamine lotion. Apply dabs of calamine lotion to chickenpox blisters. It may reduce itching. Just be careful not to get it in your eyes.
• Eat cold, soft, bland foods. Chickenpox sores in your mouth can feel awful, making it hard to eat and drink. You can minimize the discomfort by eating foods that aren’t too hot, are easy to chew and swallow, and don’t irritate your mouth. That means avoiding spicy, salty, and acidic foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids. “Many children lose their appetite while sick, so I often tell parents not to worry if their child doesn’t want to eat, but to make sure to offer a wide variety of fluids, like water, juice, and soup”, says Casey Mabry, MD, a primary care physician at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Also, Edwards says that for children and babies at low-risk of complications, the main concern is limiting scratching. That’s because scratching increases the risk of scarring and bacterial skin infections. It may be helpful for parents to have them wear gloves and to keep their fingernails trimmed short.

• Stay at home. Because chickenpox is so contagious, both adults and children with the disease should stay home from work or school until all blisters have broken and formed a crust.
• Bathe regularly with soap and water. Keeping your skin clean reduces your risk of getting another skin infection. Be sure to pat, not rub, your skin dry after bathing to avoid irritation.
• Wash your hands often. Keeping your hands clean reduces the risk that you’ll cause another infection by touching or scratching your skin.
• Stay rested. Take it easy while you have chickenpox, especially if you have a fever or feel very tired. Resting can reduce stress on your body and help encourage healing.

• If you or your child has chickenpox, you can treat the symptoms at home with cool compresses, cool baths, and calamine lotion, as well as antihistamines and acetaminophen.
• People with a high risk of complications from chickenpox — including teens and adults, pregnant people, and those with a weakened immune system — may be prescribed antiviral medications.
• Talk to your pediatrician or doctor if you have any questions about your or your child’s chickenpox infection, including getting a vaccination for it.

Additional reporting by Joy Emeh.