According to NCBI, “in one study in Nigerian school children, around 50% of children aged 4–6 years were seropositive for varicella antibodies; this percentage rose to 70% by ages 13–15 years.” A highly contagious viral infection, varicella, or chickenpox, primarily affects children, however people who have never had it before may also contact it. It feels like an invading army of tiny tormentors has taken over your skin when those itchy red bumps start to appear. Laying down becomes an uphill battle due to extreme discomfort.
It nearly seems hard to try not to scratch the bumps. You risk scarring or skin infections if you scratch those uncomfortable spots excessively. In extreme circumstances, you could even expose someone else to the virus and infect other areas of your body. Let’s explore various methods to lessen chickenpox itching.
Home Relief For Chickenpox Itch
Baths and Soaks
Oatmeal: Make a little pouch out of your regular oatmeal by wrapping it in cheesecloth or a muslin bag. Then, simply place this pouch in a lukewarm bath and soak alongside you or your child. The oatmeal releases calming qualities into the water, which can help relieve the irritation caused by chickenpox.
Baking Soda: Baking soda, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate, can help relieve irritation in a variety of ways. Baking soda, when mixed into lukewarm bathwater, can help heal inflamed skin. It has mild drying qualities and can help absorb excess moisture from the skin. This is very useful for leaking blisters or moist spots, as it can help dry them out and relieve discomfort. While effective, it is not recommended for everyday usage due to the possibility of drying out the skin.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea’s calming nature makes it useful for soothing the skin when added to baths.
Topical Applications
Calamine Lotion: When used abundantly, this lotion is extremely helpful at calming red bumps.
Petroleum Jelly: Applying petroleum jelly on scabs can keep them moisturized, preventing them from drying out and getting tight. This can lessen the possibility of scabs cracking or bleeding, resulting in faster healing and less scarring.
Petroleum jelly can also assist in protecting open blisters from further irritation and infection by forming a barrier between the skin and external irritants. This can help the healing process and lower the chance of complications.
Aloe Vera Gel: Provides a cooling effect and soothes sensitive skin, but should be administered with caution near open blisters.
Cool Compresses
When applied to itchy areas, they provide quick relief and a pleasant sensation. To ensure hygiene, keep them clean and replace them on a regular basis.
When Do You Visit a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if you observe any of the following symptoms:
- High fever above 38.9°C
- Worsening rash and infection
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe itching
