Chickenpox in adults - photos of symptoms and treatment

What is prohibited to use

How to smear a chickenpox rash so that there are no scars left on the body? In this case, doctors categorically prohibit the use of such drugs:

• Is it possible to smear chickenpox with iodine or similar drugs? This cannot be done. After treating the skin, iodine increases all unpleasant sensations, causing the rash to itch more.
• Is it permissible to smear chickenpox with alcohol? It is also strictly prohibited to use it. Alcohol causes burns, which leads to the appearance of scars where the crusts have fallen off.

Some doctors recommend completely avoiding treating rashes caused by chickenpox.

What to do if symptoms appear

For almost all episodes of chickenpox, no special therapeutic intervention is required.

They are limited to drinking plenty of fluids, using drugs from the NSAID group to reduce fever, and treating the rash. In children, chickenpox is mild; in adults, it sometimes ends in hospitalization.

Since chickenpox breaks out accompanied by itching, antiallergic drugs are prescribed. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe Acyclovir. The mild form does not require the use of antiviral drugs.

If a child’s body is covered with a new rash for more than a week, the temperature is high and persists for more than five days, you should consult a pediatrician.

Why you should look for an alternative to brilliant green

What to apply to pimples for chickenpox instead of brilliant green? In addition to this remedy, there are many other alternative drugs. Chickenpox in children, in addition to brilliant green, can be treated with antiseptics or antiviral compounds. They will speed up healing, prevent infection and help the skin recover faster.

Usually, doctors recommend using chickenpox instead of brilliant green:

• Tsindol. An effective and safe product that helps reduce inflammation, dry the skin, and speed up the healing of existing wounds. The drug destroys pathogenic microflora.
• Calamine. What is the correct way to apply chickenpox other than brilliant green? Calamine lotion is the best choice because it is made exclusively from natural ingredients. In order not to provoke secondary infection of skin lesions, it is recommended to treat the rash with this drug up to seven times a day. As a result of its use, the child’s body stops itching, which has a beneficial effect on well-being.
• Fukortsin. This antiseptic has a drying effect. Fukortsin has a bright crimson color, but is easily washed off from skin and clothing.
• Acyclovir. If the question arises about how to treat chickenpox, you need to try this drug. It is used in severe cases of the disease to eliminate the activity of the virus. This ointment for chickenpox is used if there are strict indications.
• PoxClean. This spray is good for treating itchy rashes. It dries the skin and speeds up healing. All these positive qualities are provided thanks to the content of aloe vera.

Now doctors say that using brilliant green does not make much sense (if you do not take into account the convenience of controlling new rashes), because it has no effect on the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is the causative agent of chickenpox. The medication has only an antiseptic effect.

According to research, the active use of brilliant green causes the virus to spread to nearby tissues.

Another significant disadvantage is soiled clothes and bed linen, which will take a long time to reanimate, and, of course, the baby’s body (it will be covered in stains for many more days).

The psychological aspect is also important - the abundance of green dots can negatively affect the still fragile and receptive child’s psyche. This may make him feel uncomfortable, afraid that they will laugh at him and no one will want to be friends with him.

As you can see, brilliant green is not a panacea and there is more than one cure for chickenpox for children instead of brilliant green. In addition, they are no worse, and sometimes better, more effectively cope with the function of disinfecting the skin and relieving itching.

Other complications.

Other complications of chickenpox include the following types:

• Pyelonephritis;
• Liver damage (If the patient has latent hepatitis);
• Myocarditis;
• Chickenpox croup;
• Vulvitis or inflammation of the foreskin;
• Arthritis;
• Thrombophlebitis;
• During pregnancy;
• Decreased general immunity.

Pyelonephritis is a disease associated with inflammation of the kidneys. With pyelonephritis, the kidney glomeruli increase in size and it is extremely difficult to recover from the disease. The first signs of pyelonephritis appear at the end of the period of rash and are accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain and headaches.

Liver damage is usually a rare occurrence and occurs if a person has active or passive hepatitis.

Myocarditis is a heart attack that is often fatal. However, people of mature age are considered at risk. Primary signs of myocarditis appear 7-17 days after the onset of the rash, with shortness of breath and excessive fatigue.

Chickenpox croup occurs due to the appearance of bubbles in the larynx and airways. The first sign of a complication is acute laryngitis. Treatment of such consequences is carried out only in a hospital under the constant and close supervision of medical personnel.

Vulvitis (in girls) or inflammation of the foreskin (in boys), as a rule, appears after repeated inflammation of the wound. The fact is that if a girl develops a rash on her labia and is re-infected, then after recovery she will develop gynecological problems. And in boys, the rash should be located in the area of ​​the glans penis or on the foreskin. If in other places, then discomfort is likely in the future during intimacy. To avoid such consequences, you should closely monitor that the child does not scratch or overheat the genitals.

Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joints, which is also considered a consequence of chickenpox. In this case, treatment of arthritis is carried out in a hospital, or you can come daily for rehabilitation procedures. There are times when arthritis goes away on its own, but there is no time frame (often after the veterinary rash clears). The primary sign of arthritis is muscle and joint pain. The peak time for pain is night time. In the morning, swelling and swelling of the joints are noted; with arthritis, the patient is practically unable to walk, so he has to spend a lot of time in bed. To give the sick person the opportunity to sleep and rest normally, painkillers are allowed.

Thrombophlebitis is the likelihood of blood clots forming in the legs. The disease is similar to varicose veins, and pregnant women and older people are at risk.

The most dangerous complications of chickenpox occur in pregnant women. If the disease overtakes the expectant mother in the first trimester, then there is a high probability of terminating the pregnancy. However, if the fetus manages to survive, then the baby is later born with various developmental disabilities. In rare cases, with underdeveloped limbs, brain damage and so on are also possible.

If a woman gets chickenpox during the third trimester, then the baby is born with congenital chickenpox. This has an extremely adverse effect on the baby’s immune system. There is also a possible risk of damage to internal organs.

A general decrease in immunity is considered a mild complication. With complications after chickenpox, children may often develop illnesses such as colds and flu. However, pediatricians believe that it is easy to restore immunity if you adhere to special nutritional rules and take vitamins.

Prevention methods

The only way to protect yourself from infection is through vaccination. A weakened virus is introduced into the body, which the immune system can cope with without problems. To prevent infection of others, the patient should be isolated. An infected child is also not allowed to attend kindergarten or school. The room where the patient is located must be ventilated several times a day and wet cleaning done.

Remedies for chickenpox can only be prescribed by your doctor. Pregnant women and infants must be given immunoglobulin on the first day after contact with a sick person. This will help prevent the development of the disease or tolerate chickenpox in a mild form.

Chickenpox in adults: does this happen?

Yes, adults who did not have this infection as a child and are not vaccinated against chickenpox are at risk of becoming infected if they come into contact with a child with chickenpox or an adult who suffers from shingles.
This is a disease caused by the same virus, which is stored in the cells of the body for life and worsens due to weakened immunity. Adults who get chickenpox usually have more severe symptoms than those seen in children, which can lead to a number of additional health complications. Chickenpox can also have a negative impact on everyday life, for example, it is necessary to miss work for a long time and separate contacts with others, so as not to infect other people - children and adults.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

A popular pediatrician confirms that brilliant green is very popular for treating chickenpox rashes, but at the same time assures that there is no particular need to use such a dye for this infection.

For more information about this, see Dr. Komarovsky’s program.

Applying green dots to new pimples every morning can, of course, help mom notice the moment when new pimples no longer appear. And after 5 days the baby will no longer be infectious to others. However, Komarovsky emphasizes that even without brilliant green, from the 7th-8th day of illness, when all the pimples have crusted over, the child is no longer contagious to other people.

The famous doctor believes that the use of brilliant green should be a personal decision for each mother, but there is no great need to lubricate the chickenpox blisters with brilliant green, since chickenpox heals remarkably well without such treatment.

Decoctions for bathing

Various herbal infusions for bathing are especially popular. The procedure helps eliminate discomfort caused by rashes and speed up the healing process of wounds. Do not use cosmetic cleansers. After bathing, never rub your skin with a towel.

Chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Flowers and grass (50 g) must be brewed with 1 liter of boiling water and left to infuse. The strained infusion is added to the bath. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. Calendula is used in a similar way. Such folk remedies for chickenpox for children can also be used.

You can lubricate the affected skin to relieve itching with tea tree oil. It has an antiseptic effect, soothes irritation and inflammation. It is better to use a cotton swab to apply to the rash.

Poksklin instead of green stuff

Medical cooling hydrogel for significant relief of chickenpox symptoms. Accelerates the immediate process of rapid healing and effectively prevents the formation of scars on the skin. It is often used for chickenpox in children, just so as not to smear the child with brilliant green. And this is not surprising, since this product has a number of advantages:

• does not leave stains;
• Allowed for children from 2 years of age;
• does not contain chemicals or toxic substances;
• prevents the development of infectious diseases by harmful pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic microbes;
• does not exhibit particularly harmful effects on the human body’s own cells;
• does not create addiction;
• does not have a negative therapeutic effect;
• has a long-lasting cooling effect for rapid, significant relief of chickenpox symptoms;
• consists entirely of natural components (panthenol, aloe vera, chamomile and lavender extracts);
• provides a cooling, soothing and softening therapeutic effect;
• convenient and harmless to use.

This preparation is convenient for systematic application - while the local distribution of thick protective creams and medicinal ointments throughout the body can easily lead to serious damage to the bubbles, the cooling hydrogel is very easy to apply locally and does not cause friction in tactile areas when spread on the skin.

What else can you do to treat rashes?

If a mother is interested in what can be used instead of brilliant green and zinc products, then she can be recommended:

• PoxClean. This hydrogel contains aloe vera, so it has a beneficial effect on skin inflamed due to chickenpox, soothing it, reducing itching and relieving swelling.
• Salicylic alcohol. The drug dries out the blisters quite effectively, accelerating the regeneration processes in the skin, but you should use alcohol carefully to avoid drying out the skin.
• Tea tree oil. This product prevents infection of damaged skin and relieves inflammation. At the same time, it is natural and does not have a drying effect.
• Fenistil. This medicine from the antihistamine group, produced in the form of a gel, is often used for chickenpox. Lubricating the rash with Fenistil helps to quickly relieve itching and swelling, cools the skin and soothes it.
• Potassium permanganate. To treat the rash, use a transparent solution of this product, pale pink in color (5%). You should use potassium permanganate to lubricate the skin of a child with extreme caution, because a high concentration of the drug can cause burns.
• Hydrogen peroxide. This colorless liquid has a pronounced antiseptic effect and prevents infection of the blisters.
• Baking soda. Having prepared a 5% solution from it, the product is applied to the skin to eliminate itching and dry out the blisters.

Skin complications.

Complications of chickenpox occur in the form of marks on the face and body (95% of people). The fact is that the blisters that appear due to the disease produce severe itching. If you scratch the affected areas, the consequences may not be limited to simple scars. However, scars are not considered serious complications, rather they are considered a nuisance that somewhat interferes with true beauty.

So, a list of skin consequences:

With the exception of scars, other complications of chickenpox are observed in older people, especially people with diabetes.

During periods of unbearable itching, people, especially children, try to scratch the wound. This behavior leads to the fact that the combed bubble bursts and lets in pathogenic bacteria, which cause re-inflammation. Repeated inflammation does not cause an itchy effect, but this is considered a consequence of the formation of small scars or depressions, which are almost impossible to get rid of.

It is noted that the bubbles that are located in the ears require close attention, since if you scratch the bubble, this leads to otitis media. A similar picture occurs with blisters in the oral cavity, only excessive scratching leads to the formation of stomatitis. The eyes and eyelids are also areas of concern, as repeated inflammation leads to vision loss in adults and corneal damage.

However, the consequences can be prevented if you follow the rules of hygiene when treating wounds. At the same time, the manifestation of vision problems is marked by a sharp redness of the eyes, so preventing the consequences is quite simple if you consult a doctor in a timely manner.

The genitals are also exposed to rashes, and repeated inflammation does not cause critical consequences. However, in the future, especially in boys, it causes severe discomfort during sexual activity.

This type of complication is possible if bacteria of streptococcal or staphylococcal origin get into the wound. In the infected area, a lump appears that is very painful and burns, and an abscess forms in the center.

Subsequently, the purulent formation breaks down on its own, forming an open wound in the center of which there is a rod. After the rod comes out (an independent process), the pain goes away. However, after healing, a scar remains that cannot be corrected.

However, you cannot remove the formation yourself, since the purulent content often reaches several liters. The tumor is removed under local anesthesia in a hospital, by making an incision and pouring the contents into a special container.

Then the incised area is sutured and antibiotic medications are prescribed to completely eradicate the infection.

After the operation, a scar remains. The size of the abscess depends on the strength of the patient’s immunity. The weaker the immune system, the greater the education.

What to smear in the mouth and on other mucous membranes, on the genitals

If the chickenpox rash appears not only on the surface of the skin, but also in intimate places, in the eyes or in the mouth, this causes additional discomfort to the child.

To process it you can use:

• Furacilin.
• Miramistin.
• Boric acid (1% solution).
• A weak solution of potassium permanganate.
• Oil solution of chlorophyllipt.
• Infusion of calendula, sage or chamomile.
• Sea buckthorn oil.
• Kalgel.
• Kamistad.

Apply medications to the genitals, mucous membranes of the mouth or eyes should be very careful.

The use of antibacterial agents for chickenpox rash on the genitals and other mucous membranes is contraindicated.

How is chickenpox transmitted?

Chicken pox is a disease belonging to the herpes group, transmitted by airborne droplets. Chicken pox is considered a childhood disease and is contracted only once (immunity is developed). However, there is a tiny percentage that a person will get the disease again (1% of people). The age range that doctors consider to be peak for the disease is from two to twelve years. Moreover, the younger the child, the easier the disease is tolerated.

Chickenpox is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 39°. At the same time, the temperature maximum is reached by people who get sick in adulthood (up to 40°). A common sign of chickenpox is the presence of blisters all over the body. Including on the genitals, in the anus, in the nose, in the ears, between the fingers and so on. In this case, the bubbles at the beginning look like small pimples. Therefore, older people, noticing an unpleasant rash on their face, try to squeeze it out, which cannot be done, as there may be consequences.

It is noted that the bubbles with chickenpox look different. For example, there is a red spot on the shoulder, and a pimple on the face is filled with clear or cloudy liquid.

It is noted that people who have already had the disease are carriers of the infection. And if there was communication with an infectious person, then a healthy person brings chickenpox into the house. By doing this, the infected person puts their family members at risk of contracting chickenpox. You can also become infected if an infected person appears at the entrance. Then, through the open front door, the disease penetrates into the remaining apartments that are located in this entrance.

Attention! If blisters are found on the child’s body, it is necessary to call a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and receive treatment recommendations. Self-medication is strictly prohibited!

Attention! If the temperature exceeds 39.5, the baby needs to call an ambulance for further hospitalization of the patient.

According to statistical information provided by infectious disease specialists, a moderate surge in chickenpox infection is expected in 2020. At the same time, people living in warm climatic conditions are considered unprotected layers. There is also a period during which there is a high probability of infection (October-November).

What to apply to a chickenpox rash?

A rash all over the body is one of the main symptoms of chickenpox. It appears on the first or second day of illness and quickly spreads throughout the body, and in some children it also appears on the mucous membranes. At first, the rash appears as spots that quickly transform into papules, and then into blisters. Such blisters with chickenpox itch quite badly, so every mother is interested in what is the best means to smear sores with chickenpox.

In addition, if the skin is not treated, many children scratch the rash and tear off the scabs, resulting in the formation of wounds that will remain on the body in the form of scars for the rest of their lives. And therefore, the correct choice of anti-itch remedy is important both for eliminating discomfort and for the child’s appearance.

Calamine for chickenpox

The drug is available in the form of a lotion, which can eliminate virtually any dermatological problem. This effect is achieved due to the active effects of zinc oxide. A special feature of Kalamine is that the oxide is mined in the cleanest areas of Greece and Transbaikalia.

In addition to zinc oxide, the composition also contains iron oxide. Both of these substances, when interacting, have a strong antiseptic effect. The natural origin of Calamine determines its good tolerance and the absence of accumulation of toxic substances. Only in exceptional cases did side effects such as mild headaches and swelling of the skin occur due to severe sensitivity. The lotion contains no alcohol, hormones or allergic components.