Infections
Medicines for Chickenpox
A common, usually mild childhood viral infection causing an itchy, blistering rash and mild fever, mostly managed with comfort measures, with antiviral treatment reserved for those at higher risk.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a common viral infection, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, that mostly affects children. It typically starts with feeling unwell and a mild fever, followed by an itchy rash that appears in crops of small red spots which turn into fluid-filled blisters and then crust over.
- How it is treated: For most children, chickenpox does not need specific treatment and gets better by itself.
- Self-care: Keeping fingernails short and trying to avoid scratching helps prevent the spots becoming infected and scarring; light, loose cotton clothing and keeping cool can ease the itch.
- When to seek help: Chickenpox is usually mild, but seek advice in some situations.
What it is
Chickenpox is a common viral infection, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, that mostly affects children. It typically starts with feeling unwell and a mild fever, followed by an itchy rash that appears in crops of small red spots which turn into fluid-filled blisters and then crust over. New spots can keep appearing for a few days, so blisters at different stages are often seen together, commonly on the face, scalp, chest and back before spreading. In most children the illness is mild and clears up on its own within a week or two, the main bother being the itch. It is very contagious and spreads easily through coughs, sneezes and contact with the blisters, remaining infectious until all the spots have crusted over. Most people have it only once, as the body usually develops lasting immunity, although the same virus can reactivate years later as shingles, which is a separate condition.
How it is treated
For most children, chickenpox does not need specific treatment and gets better by itself. Care focuses on comfort: keeping the child cool, encouraging plenty of fluids, and easing the itch so the spots are less likely to be scratched and become infected. Paracetamol can be used to bring down a fever or ease discomfort. Ibuprofen is generally avoided in chickenpox, as there is a concern it may be linked to more serious skin infections. Soothing measures and antihistamines can help with itching. Antiviral medicine (aciclovir) is not needed for healthy children but is considered for people at higher risk of complications — such as adults and teenagers, who tend to have a more severe illness, pregnant women, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system. In these situations it works best when started early. Keeping away from others until the spots have crusted helps prevent spreading the virus.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Chickenpox
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Chickenpox
Chickenpox can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Keeping fingernails short and trying to avoid scratching helps prevent the spots becoming infected and scarring; light, loose cotton clothing and keeping cool can ease the itch. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, especially if there is a fever, and cooling or soothing lotions and lukewarm baths can be comforting. It helps to keep the child away from nursery, school and vulnerable people — such as pregnant women, newborns and anyone with a weakened immune system — until all the blisters have crusted over.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Chickenpox is usually mild, but seek advice in some situations. Contact your GP or UK health service 111 if an adult or teenager develops chickenpox, if a pregnant woman or a newborn baby is affected or exposed, or if someone with a weakened immune system is involved, as these groups can become more seriously unwell and may need antiviral treatment. Also seek advice if the skin around the spots becomes hot, red, swollen, painful or starts to weep, as this can mean a skin infection. Get urgent medical help if the person becomes very unwell, drowsy or confused, has difficulty breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that spreads to bruising, or is not drinking and shows signs of dehydration. Avoid giving ibuprofen for chickenpox.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Chickenpox: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for chickenpox?
For most healthy children, no specific medicine is needed and the focus is on comfort. Paracetamol can ease fever and discomfort, while ibuprofen is generally avoided in chickenpox because of a possible link with more serious skin infections. Antihistamines and soothing lotions help relieve the itch, which is usually the main problem. Antiviral medicine, such as aciclovir, is not required for healthy children but is considered for people more likely to have a severe illness — including adults and teenagers, pregnant women, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system — and works best when started early. A pharmacist or GP can advise on the right approach for the person affected.
How is chickenpox different from shingles?
Both are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus, but they are different illnesses. Chickenpox is the first infection, usually in childhood, causing an itchy, blistering rash that spreads across the body. After it clears, the virus stays dormant in the body. Years later it can reactivate in one area as shingles, which produces a painful, often band-like rash usually on one side of the body, rather than the widespread itchy rash of chickenpox. You cannot catch shingles from someone, but someone who has never had chickenpox could catch chickenpox from contact with a shingles rash. They are managed differently, so it helps to know which one is present.
How long is chickenpox contagious?
Chickenpox is very catching and is infectious from a day or two before the rash appears until all the spots have dried and crusted over, which usually takes about five days to a week from when the rash starts. During this time it spreads easily through coughs and sneezes and through contact with the fluid in the blisters. Because of this, it helps to keep the person away from nursery, school or work and, importantly, away from pregnant women, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system until every blister has crusted. Once all the spots have crusted, the person is no longer contagious.
Why should I avoid ibuprofen for chickenpox?
Ibuprofen is generally not recommended for chickenpox because there is concern it may be linked to a higher chance of serious skin and soft tissue infections during the illness. To bring down a fever or ease discomfort, paracetamol is the preferred choice instead. The itch can be helped with soothing measures and antihistamines rather than ibuprofen. If you are unsure what is safe to give, especially for a child, a pharmacist can advise, and you should seek medical help if the skin around the spots becomes hot, red, swollen or painful, as this can signal a skin infection that needs assessment.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Chickenpox.
- NICE CKS: Chickenpox.
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