Chickenpox treatment

Your MinuteClinic provider can help you understand the symptoms and various treatment methods available for chickenpox. They can provide personalized recommendations for over-the-counter products, prescription medication when appropriate and other remedies to help you feel more comfortable.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

• Papules (small pink or red bumps): Break out on the skin during the first several days.
• Vesicles (small fluid-filled blisters): Form for about a day and then break.
• Crusts and scabs cover over the broken blisters: They heal over during the next several days.

New papules can continue to appear for several days. You might also experience all 3 stages of the rash (bumps, blisters and scabbed lesions) simultaneously.

The virus is contagious for up to 48 hours before the rash appears. It remains contagious until all broken blisters have crusted over.

Chickenpox runs its course in about 5 to 10 days. During this time, the itchy rash from the virus is the most uncomfortable. While your body recovers, these home remedies and recommendations can help:

• Acetaminophen: Can help lower the fever, ease the achiness and relieve any pain from the sores that develop on the skin or in the mouth.
• Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years old: It can cause a complication called Reye's syndrome.
• Do not scratch: It could cause scarring and put you at risk for a secondary bacterial skin infection. To calm itching: Tap or pat the itch. Take a cool, colloidal oatmeal bath. Dab or pat your skin dry after the soak. Wear loose, breathable cotton clothing. Apply calamine lotion to the itchy spots. An antihistamine can help soothe the itching.
• Do not take anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen: These drugs can make people who have chickenpox very ill.
• Keep hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps your body get rid of the virus faster. Choose water rather than sugary drinks or sodas, especially if you or your child has chickenpox in the mouth.
• Stay cool: Heat and sweating can make itchiness worse. You can make a cool compress out of a clean, wet washcloth. Use it on the very itchy areas of your skin.