First of all, don’t panic! There is no cure for chickenpox, but you can usually keep your child comfortable and prevent skin infections at home. The chickenpox vaccine is not currently part of the national vaccine schedule for babies, toddlers, or older children in the UK, but it has been given routinely in a number of countries around the world, including the USA and Germany. Let’s learn more about this aspect of toddler health, as well what parents can do if their little ones develop chickenpox, through answering some frequently asked questions.

What is chickenpox in toddlers?

Chickenpox is a highly infectious viral illness that can affect toddlers who are not vaccinated. It takes the form of red, raised spots that change into itchy, water-filled blisters before crusting over. A rash of them appears on the trunk and the face first before spreading outwards to the rest of the body over two to five days. It may also leave your child feeling tired and generally unwell. Chickenpox is usually not serious enough to require medical treatment, provided your toddler is already in good health. Children catch it from direct contact with someone else's spots or exposure to an infected person’s droplets, shared by sneezing or coughing. Usually, once a child has had it once, they develop immunity and never have it again.

How long should you stay away from a toddler with chickenpox?

Symptoms can develop 10 days to three weeks after the toddler is exposed. Anyone at risk of infection should stay away from a toddler with chickenpox until five-to-six days after the scabs appear on their spots. If you are pregnant and have no immunity against chicken pox, either from a vaccine or previous experience of chickenpox it is very important to get vaccinated.

What should I do if my child has been exposed to chickenpox?

If you know your child has no immunity and has never been vaccinated, call your doctor. They will likely tell you to watch out for those telltale raised spots.

Why should grandparents stay away from children with chickenpox?

If you know your child’s grandparents have never had chickenpox and are not vaccinated, it’s best to wait until your child’s chickenpox is dry and has scabbed over (usually around five days after the rash appears) before allowing them to make contact.

When should children stay at home after chickenpox?

Children should be kept home from school from the time you suspect they have chickenpox until their spots are dry and have crusted over, to avoid spreading the infection.

Can a parent of a child with chickenpox go to work?

It’s not usually necessary for you to stay at home if your child has chickenpox, as long as you’re sure you’re not infected. If you’ve had chickenpox before or been vaccinated, it’s unlikely for you to become infected. If your child is being well cared for at home, you can go to work.

What is the minimum time to recover from chickenpox?

Provided there are no complications, chickenpox often clears up by itself within one-to-two weeks.

What can I put on my child’s chickenpox?

DO NOT apply lotions or creams containing antihistamines, antibiotics, or steroids. Put a cold compress, calamine lotion (anywhere but around the eyes), or fragrance-free aloe vera on your child’s chickenpox. A cool bath with oats or baking soda can also be comforting.

How can I keep my child from scratching their chickenpox?

Keep their nails short, apply soothing products, and give them antihistamine as directed. There are special mittens sold to keep children from scratching their chickenpox, but regular cotton mittens and socks are fine.

Will chickenpox scar my child?

This could happen if your child picks at their chickenpox, especially to the point of bleeding.

What bedclothes and clothing should a child with chickenpox have?

Chickenpox can be spread by touching clothing or bedclothes that have been exposed to water from chickenpox blisters, so it’s a good idea to wash your child’s clothes and bedding frequently.

Are there any complications from chickenpox?

Complications from chickenpox in children include pneumonia, dehydration, and ataxia. The virus can also lie dormant in your body and reactivate later in life as shingles or Ramsay-Hunt syndrome.

What should I do if my toddler has chickenpox?

Do you need to stay home from work if you child has chickenpox? And other questions answered.