How do you recognize and treat chickenpox?

HOW TO HELP YOUR SKIN HEAL
av_votre-peau_cicatrisation_varicelle_essentiel_1x1 473x473

The basics of chickenpox and its spots

Chickenpox is a benign but highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. In 90% of cases, it occurs between the ages of 3 months and 10 years old. After an incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks, the first symptoms are not very significant. After a few days, they become VERY recognizable:  small spots appear that are very itchy. It usually takes 10-12 days to heal. Chickenpox itself cannot be cured, but there are ways to ease the discomfort and help your child through this difficult time.

Chickenpox scars are far from harmless, especially when they are in more visible areas like the face. Therefore, blisters and lesions from scratching must be treated carefully to avoid the risk of secondary infection that causes marks.

How to identify chickenpox

Your child is tired and grumpy and they’re speckled with small spots... Could that be it, chickenpox? It starts with small red spots that often appear first on the chest or neck and then spread to the whole body. They then turn into tiny fluid-filled blisters that usually dry out within 48 hours, forming a reddish-black scab. Beware: when the scab is scratched off, this is when there's a risk of scarring.

Treating chickenpox

  1. Clean the skin (without rubbing) with an antiseptic product prescribed by your doctor or advised by your pharmacist. 
  2. Dry blisters with a drying formula to speed up repair.
  3. Repair dried out blisters with a suitable skin care product to avoid leaving marks.
av_votre-peau_cicatrisation_varicelle_reconnaitre_soigner_1x1 473x473

Chickenpox: Is there anything to avoid?

Yes!

1- Don't make pimples worse Don't overexpose yourself to the sun. UV rays prevent the proper healing of chickenpox. In case of exposure, protect the skin with a very high protection sun cream (SPF50+).
2- Don't be too quick to declare victory You should generally expect 2 or 3 outbreaks. If some blisters are drying up while others are still appearing, the infection isn’t over - and there is a risk of contagion. Be patient!

FRIENDLY (AND EXPERT) ADVICE TO LIMIT CHICKENPOX SCARS

Help! I’m itchy!

The skin is itchy. Really itchy... TOO itchy. Beware - a scratched chickenpox blister can leave a scar for life. Here are our tips and tricks to help your child find relief and limit scratching.

  • First, use an antiseptic on the spots.
  • Cut your child’s nails short to limit scratching lesions and secondary infection. 
  • Have your child wash their hands regularly.
  • Give your child very short baths or showers with lukewarm water once or twice a day with a liquid dermatological soap. 
  • Protect the skin from perspiration as much as possible: it makes itching worse.
  • Choose loose-fitting clothes that don’t rub against the skin.

OUR SOLUTIONS TO RESTORE YOUR SKIN

The essentials for restoring, soothing and purifying sensitive, fragilized skin for the whole family.