Most everybody has had or will have chickenpox during their lifetime. Though it is possible for adults to get chickenpox, it is most commonly found in children under age 12. There are many symptoms that come along with the chickenpox, but there are ways to make them more tolerable. Knowing what to look for and how to control the chickenpox may be useful.

It may be most known by the itchy red bumps that appear on a child’s skin, but the chickenpox start before the bumps appear. Most often, the first symptoms are vague, such as a fever or a sore throat, making it difficult to diagnose. Since the chickenpox have such a long incubation period (10-20 days), the bumps may be the last thing to show. These bumps are irritating and may itch severely. The chickenpox are also accompanied sometimes by a backache or headache. In severe cases, liquid filled blisters may appear, similar to blisters caused by sunburns.

Next, let’s look at ways to control the itching, ease the pain, and help you get through the chickenpox. Let’s face it, when your skin itches, your first instinct is to scratch it. DON’T! It is important not to scratch chickenpox as they may cause scarring or infection. If you itch, place a cool wash cloth on the area, or take an oatmeal bath. Staying cool can help control the itching, because when you are warm or sweating, your chickenpox will itch even more. Sometimes a simple pain reliever, such as aspirin, will help ease the pain of raw or itchy chickenpox.

Ideally, it would be best to never get chickenpox. Luckily, there is now a vaccine for chickenpox. Though it is not 100% effective, it greatly reduces your chances of catching the dreaded chickenpox.