Chickenpox how quickly the rash appears

What does chickenpox look like in children: photo

The main causative agent of the disease is the well-known herpes. People who have had this disease become immune to the virus for life. For this reason, people only get chickenpox once. You can become infected from an infected person both during the incubation period and during the formation of rashes.

To understand what treatment should be, parents should be aware of the typical symptoms that always occur. In the photo on the Internet you can see exactly what the initial stage of chickenpox looks like in children. A doctor will help you make an accurate diagnosis. After all, it is known that at first the disease is similar to an allergic rash and insect bites.

What does chickenpox look like in the early stages in children? At first, the disease can be confused with a regular ARVI. It all starts with an increase in temperature. The child also complains of pain in the head and feels body aches. Because everyone's body is different, some children can get chickenpox without a fever.

What does the beginning stage of chickenpox look like in a child? Its characteristic sign is a strong rash of acne all over the body. They jump up after two days of recording an elevated temperature. Sometimes signs of the disease appear all at the same time.

Usually the rash spreads throughout the body within 2-4 days. It first appears on the face and head. Then it moves down throughout the body. In some cases, the process may take 1-2 weeks.

By studying the photos on the pages of medical websites, you can get an idea of ​​what chickenpox looks like in children. The first symptoms in a baby are usually:

– a small pink spot up to 4 mm appears, like a mosquito bite; – a red core (papule) forms in the middle; – throughout the day the bottle fills with clear liquid; – on the second day it bursts and begins to dry out, forming a yellow crust.

What is chickenpox

Chickenpox (varicella)
is a viral infectious disease that causes fever and an itchy blistering rash. Chickenpox is highly contagious to people who have not had it before and have not been vaccinated against it.

In the United States, before mandatory chickenpox vaccination was introduced, almost all people had chickenpox before reaching adulthood. Every year, about 4 million people get chickenpox, of whom about 10,000 were hospitalized each year, and 100-150 people died from the infection. In 1995, a vaccine against chickenpox was developed in the United States, which dramatically changed the epidemiological picture. The CDC currently recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults who have not had chickenpox. Two doses of vaccine prevent 98% of chickenpox cases

. In the Russian Federation, routine vaccination against chickenpox has not yet been introduced, with the exception of a few regions.

Most people get over chickenpox quite easily and without any complications. However, there is a risk of developing severe forms and complications. The chickenpox vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent and reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.

Epidemiology of chickenpox

• Chickenpox is an extremely common disease. Susceptibility to it reaches 100%. Chickenpox patients are the only sources of infection.
• Patients become infectious from the end of the incubation period until the rash appears and until the end of the next 5 days after the last element rashes.
• Viruses are released in large quantities during coughing, sneezing and talking. Chickenpox is dangerous for the fetus if a pregnant woman has it.
• Children 1 to 10 years old are especially susceptible to infection. The maximum number of cases occurs between the ages of 3 and 4 years.

Rice. 3. Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease, the susceptibility to which reaches 100%.

As you know, chickenpox in a child and an adult has some differences.

You can find what acne with chickenpox usually looks like in adults - photos in this article.

Everyone knows that acne is a serious cosmetic defect that brings many problems. Those who have very sensitive or oily skin are especially unlucky, since acne appears very often with such skin. But if there were usually no problems with the skin, and suddenly a rash covers the body, this indicates serious problems. This is often how an allergic reaction manifests itself. The chickenpox virus exhibits a similar symptom immediately after its incubation period ends. You can see what pimples look like with chickenpox in the photo below.

In addition to chickenpox, acne on the body can also cause other infectious diseases. But with chickenpox, the rash has characteristic features, so it is difficult to confuse it with other ailments. However, the peculiarity of acne with chickenpox appears at later stages, but at the very beginning, the rash can easily be confused with allergies and even insect bites. This is especially true in cases where the disease is mild.

Causes

When and why does a simple form of chickenpox turn into a severe and complex process of developing the disease? It's time to remember the doctor's instructions: do not scratch the rash, do not pick off the scabs. It is not for nothing that experts give such instructions, because damaged acne is the main reason that provokes infection with pathogenic bacteria (staphylococcus, streptococcus). When the integrity of the pimple is broken, it becomes one of the main causes of the spread of purulent infection. It begins to fester, gradually infecting all the rashes.

READ ALSO: Purulent pimple on the nose (ulcers) - how to treat, causes, in adults, during pregnancy, in children

What does chickenpox look like?

The main symptom by which you can understand what chickenpox looks like (photo 4) is a rash. At first, these are ordinary red spots of small size and round shape. The early stage of chickenpox first appears on the head and abdomen. As a result, the spots turn into papules (this is what pimples with chickenpox are called). The center of the area of ​​reddened skin rises, and a blister filled with clear liquid forms.

The chickenpox rash subsequently transforms from a papule into a vesicle with purulent contents. Itching appears, which accompanies the process of opening acne. The next sign of how chickenpox manifests itself is ulceration of the papule with the formation of a scab or other crust. But this happens at a later stage.

Typical and atypical rash

What chickenpox looks like in a child depends on the signs of the disease, which can be typical or atypical. The typical development of chickenpox is characterized by the appearance of various neoplasms on the baby’s body, each of which goes through its own morphological stage. Rashes on mucous organs are rarely diagnosed in children. Likewise, complications with simple chickenpox are possible only if the principles of hygiene are not observed, when pathogenic microorganisms enter the source of inflammation.

The atypical form of chickenpox has several types of manifestations, each of which is distinguished by its symptomatic picture of the rash:

1. Gangrenous form.
   There is a deep damage to the epidermal layers with gradual death. Necrosis starts 2-3 days after the initial appearance of the rash. You can notice it by the dark purple halo around the bubble, the liquid inside of which is opaque and has a dark red ichor. Hemorrhagic form
2. Bullous form. Large blisters with dark yellow liquid appear on the skin of children. After the destruction of the formations, long-term non-healing ulcers form in their place.
3. Hemorrhagic form. Inside the formed bubbles there is not serous content, but blood. After the crusts fall off and the inflammation has healed, deep scars remain on the skin. This form of chickenpox is typical for children with impaired functioning of the circulatory system.
4. Vestigial form. It is distinguished by relatively sparse rashes; the resulting spots may not reach the vesicular stage and disappear within a few days after formation.

Chickenpox in childhood is a common and widespread disease, the typical form of which is easily treatable. Diagnosis of smallpox in a child of any age should only be carried out by a doctor, since the rash that appears is often confused with a simple allergy or reaction to insect bites. Post Views: 1,069 Tags: children, what it looks like, child

When does a chickenpox rash appear?

Experts note that mostly new rashes appear in the morning and late afternoon, and in some children at night. The spread of the rash depends on the severity of the disease.

In moderate to severe forms of chickenpox, pockmarks spread throughout the body, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals.

With a mild form of chickenpox or at the very beginning of the disease, several blisters may appear on the body for several days.

Photo of chickenpox rashes on a baby's stomach This is what the first rashes of chickenpox look like on a baby's arm Bubbles on a child's tongue Rashes on the tongue The first manifestations of chickenpox on the back are often found in the form of a small red rash Chickenpox is a small red rash that turns into small blisters

Interview with a doctor about the symptoms and forms of chickenpox, how they manifest themselves, and how to distinguish chickenpox from other infections.

Chickenpox rashes cover almost the entire surface of the child’s body, not occurring only on the palms and soles of the feet, although these areas are also covered by a rash in severe forms of the disease. The rash can be seen on the arms, stomach, back, sides of the body, legs and genitals. In some children, elements of the rash also appear on the mucous membranes. In such cases, blisters are visible in the mouth and throat, and may also be located on the eyeball.

The incubation period for chickenpox lasts from 10 to 21 days. During this time, the virus actively multiplies in the body. The first rashes appear on the skin 11-14 days after possible infection.

The first signs of chickenpox appear as a cold. But along with a high temperature, a rash appears. Rashes actively cover the child’s body in the period from 2 to 9 days. At a temperature of 39 degrees, first examine the following areas: scalp, face, torso, limbs. A child is considered contagious for another 5 days from the moment of the last blisters.

At the initial stage, the rash looks like a small papule, which fills with liquid after a few hours. The bubble is surrounded by a bright pink border with a “umbilical” depression in the center. The diameter of the pimple is 2-4 mm. 2-4 days will pass and the blisters will dry out, a crust will form, which should fall off on its own in a couple of weeks.

On one area of ​​the body you can find rashes of different types - dried and fresh. The appearance of new blisters on the body is accompanied by a high jump in temperature. Every five days, new elements may appear on the skin, which are accompanied by severe itching. A rash can appear even in the mouth, but you won’t find it on the soles and palms. Scratching pimples is prohibited, as scars may form in their place.

Most often, chickenpox is mild, so it can be treated at home. The rash lasts 3-5 days. Then the bubbles burst, dry out and fall off. It is important at this moment not to dry out the skin, because this is fraught with the appearance of scars.

Pimples dry out on the seventh day. If they dry out and fall off, and new pimples do not appear, then this is a signal that the disease has passed. After this, ointments are not used. For another 2-3 weeks nothing will remind you of the old bubbles.

But, until this moment, parents should monitor the child so that he does not scratch the damaged areas. After such an illness, immunity is developed for life, which allows you to no longer get sick, even when faced with the carrier of the disease.

After an illness, each child develops immunity. But parents can play it safe and get vaccinated as a preventative measure. Depending on the type of vaccine, it is administered once or twice.

Mild symptoms

Signs of lung:

• rashes do not affect all the patient’s skin, but only some places;
• the temperature remains within normal limits, but may be slightly elevated;
• the patient's condition is good.

The moderate or severe form manifests itself as follows: the rash quickly spreads throughout the body, the temperature rises to 40°C. The person is feeling unwell.

What does chickenpox look like in severe form?

In severe cases, the pathology continues for more than a week, and there is a risk of complications:

• viral - associated with the toxic effects of the pathogen on the body;
• bacterial - due to the fact that when the immune system is weakened, a microbial infection occurs.

Common complications:

• pneumonia - against the background of chickenpox, a cough occurs, including with blood, shortness of breath, blueness of the skin;
• encephalitis - fever rises, vomiting, headaches, convulsions, clouding of consciousness occur;
• purulent inflammation on the skin - when the rash is accompanied by severe itching, a person scratches the skin, which causes purulent inflammation, as bacteria penetrate the wounds;
• scars and welts are complications after scratching the skin.

In rare cases, the following consequences of severe chickenpox are likely:

• nephritis - develops at the end of the period of rashes, when the pimples due to chickenpox have almost disappeared, signs are pain in the head and stomach, vomiting;
• liver damage, development of hepatitis;
• myocarditis is a life-threatening complication;
• when tumors appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, stomatitis may develop;
• if the rash affects the ear, otitis media develops;
• chickenpox croup - if the rash with chickenpox in children spreads to the pharynx, larynx;
• inflammation of the foreskin in boys - if the rash occurs on the male genital organ;
• in girls - vulvitis or vaginitis;
• bacterial keratitis, cicatricial opacification of the cornea, blurred vision - if the rash looks like blisters and is localized on the mucous membrane of the eyes;
• thrombophlebitis;
• arthritis.

When diagnosing chickenpox, do not confuse it with other diseases. If you notice acne, it’s time to get rid of chickenpox, but an accurate diagnosis must be established. The doctor identifies the pathology on the basis of virusoscopic, molecular, and biological studies. The diagnosis can be made by the type of rash:

1. At an early stage, the rash is pink and raised.
2. Over time, pustules and vesicles with liquid inside appear.
3. Crusts form at the site of pustular rashes.

An important characteristic of the chickenpox rash is enanthema in the mouth. It helps to carry out differential diagnosis.

Chickenpox manifests itself as bubbles that are surrounded by red rims. Then the neoplasm swells and bursts. In place of the burst blisters, ulcers appear. Over time, they heal, leaving no traces if the patient does not scratch the lesions. These symptoms manifest themselves in typical forms.

How to get rid of scars after chickenpox

Chickenpox blisters damage the upper layers of the epidermis, resulting in unsightly scars or pits.
The deeper the damage, the larger the scars. Chickenpox spots and dimples are easy to see in the photo. Pits occur when papules have injured the deep layers of the skin. This can be facilitated by the simultaneous occurrence of chickenpox and the herpes virus, which is easily activated in a weakened body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHJtiXcYUsE

Chickenpox rash does not appear overnight; it goes through several stages of formation, so it manages to seriously affect the skin:

1. red or pink dots appear, which gradually increase in size;
2. voluminous vesicles form at the site of the marks;
3. the vesicles are filled with clear exudate, which then darkens and becomes cloudy;
4. blisters ripen, over time they should burst on their own;
5. wounds heal, deep wounds become scarred.

At every stage it is important to provide the baby with the right help. There is no need to smear the red dots with brilliant green. They must form, and the blisters must be treated. When the blisters burst, wounds appear in their place.

Improper patient care is the main cause of scarring of wounds in children, but not the only one. There are a number of factors that provoke the appearance of external defects. Other reasons:

1. weak immune system;
2. the formation of large blisters that take a long time to heal;
3. suppuration of vesicles (usually due to secondary infection);
4. tearing off crusts, self-opening of blisters and other adverse mechanical effects;
5. scratching the rash, which further injures the skin;
6. individual intolerance to the virus (the disease may be accompanied by symptoms of herpes, shingles, etc.).

The marks may disappear on their own. Normally this is what happens. Children's skin, although very delicate and thin, recovers quickly. The child’s body, including the skin, is in the stage of active growth. This ensures complete tissue regeneration.

The marks disappear gradually. Within 3 months they disappear completely. During this period, there is no need to take additional measures, since the recovery process is still underway. However, if the scars are too deep, treatment can begin immediately. Many medications are not effective when applied to old scars.

Red spots, scars and scars from chickenpox in adults are quite difficult to eliminate, because regenerative functions weaken with age. In children, the process of skin restoration occurs faster and easier, so it is possible to avoid traces after the disease.

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You can combat residual effects on the skin after chickenpox using various medications and traditional methods. In difficult cases, it is recommended to use cosmetic procedures to eliminate the consequences of the disease.

Complications and consequences of the disease

Complications of the disease are recorded in approximately 5% of cases.

• Contamination of damaged skin areas with streptococci and staphylococci manifests itself in the form of abscesses, boils and phlegmons. The infection penetrates the skin when scratching.
• When microbes enter the bloodstream, inflammation of the brain, lungs, heart muscles, eye structures, joints, liver and kidneys can develop.
• The infectious process may involve the genitals.

Consequences of the disease:

• The appearance of scars in places where blisters erupt. The scars disappear completely after a few months. When scratched, scars can remain for life.
• After suffering from the disease, a person becomes a carrier of the herpes virus for the rest of his life, which persists in the cells of the nervous system and, with a decrease in immunity, in some cases manifests itself in the development of herpes zoster.
• Chicken pox is especially dangerous for expectant mothers in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy due to the possibility of miscarriage. Newborns may experience malformations of the skeletal and nervous systems, and rough scars may appear on the skin. Chickenpox during pregnancy, which occurs on the eve of childbirth, can lead to the birth of a child with congenital chickenpox, or the fetus will die in utero.

Rice. 16. Chickenpox in pregnant women.

Complications

According to statistics, complications are observed in 5% of cases of chickenpox. They are more often diagnosed in pregnant women, infants and people with weak immune systems. Complications can be caused by exposure to the virus itself or by the addition of a bacterial infection, and in the first case, damage to any organs and systems of the body is possible. Possible complications.

1. Bacterial origin - phlegmon, abscess, erysipelas, sepsis.
2. Herpetic origin - laryngitis, tracheitis, pneumonia.
3. Associated with disruption of the nervous system - encephalitis, cerebral edema, paresis and paralysis of muscle fibers.
4. Associated with damage to the cardiovascular system - myocarditis, thrombophlebitis.
5. Pathologies of muscles and joints – arthritis, myositis.

Diagnosis of chickenpox

Diagnosing chickenpox is not difficult.

• Epidemiological history, clinical picture and specific rashes allow us to establish a diagnosis as soon as possible.
• Laboratory diagnosis of chickenpox is based on identifying the virus in storage cells, followed by their identification and detection of antibodies and viral DNA fragments in biological material.

Rice. 17. Varicella zoster virus is easily detected by microscopy after staining the contents of the vesicle with silver.

Treatment of chickenpox in adults and children

Basically, treatment of children with chickenpox is carried out at home. Children and adults with severe disease are subject to hospitalization. During rashes and fever, bed rest must be observed. Careful skin hygiene is aimed at preventing the development of secondary infection.

Treatment of chickenpox rash

Elements of the chickenpox rash are treated with solutions of antiseptics and disinfectants:

• Brilliant green solution (zelenka) 1 or 2% aqueous or alcohol solution.
• Fucorcin solution (Castellani liquid) is a bright pink antiseptic.
• Aqueous solution of potassium permanganate 0.1-0.5%.
• 2 - 3% iodine tincture.

Rice. 18. Chickenpox in children and adults is treated the same way. Elements of the rash are treated with brilliant green.

Rice. 19. The photo shows chickenpox in adults. Elements of the rash were treated with fucorcin solution.

Oral treatment for chickenpox

• Rinse your mouth with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
• Irrigation of the oral cavity with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (100.0 water + 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide).
• Lubricating aphthae with brilliant green.

Hygiene measures and treatment of rash elements are the main components in the fight against infection of damaged skin areas due to chickenpox.

Fight itching

Taking antihistamines (Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenistil, Claritin, etc.) is indicated. In adults, wiping with solutions of water and vinegar or water and alcohol has a good effect.

Is it possible to wash yourself if you have chickenpox?

After a difficult period has passed (fever, weakness and malaise), bathing a child and taking a shower for adults is not only possible, but also necessary. When washing the skin with warm water, sweat and dirt are washed away, the body relaxes, and the intensity of itching decreases. Hot water and the use of a washcloth are contraindicated.

Treatment of fever and intoxication

Bed rest is prescribed for the entire period of fever. In case of severe disease, the patient is hospitalized in a medical institution.

Diaphoretic drinks in the form of decoction and infusion of treated herbs, vitamin drinks in the form of tea with lemon, rosehip decoction, alkaline mineral waters will help remove toxins from the body.

Paracetamol or Ibuprofen are the drugs of choice for high fever and pain.

Contains paracetamol Rinza, Panadol, Tylenol and Efferalgan.

Treatment of chickenpox with antiviral drugs

Antiviral drugs for chickenpox are used in cases of atypical forms and severe disease. The selection of drugs for the treatment of chickenpox, single and daily doses of drugs in this group is carried out only by a doctor.

Treatment of chickenpox with immunostimulants

Treatment of chickenpox with immunostimulants always brings a positive effect in patients with reduced immunity. Interferon inducer drugs cause the synthesis of their own α, β and γ interferons in T and B leukocytes, enterocytes, macrophages, liver cells, epithelial cells, tissues of the spleen, lungs and brain, thereby correcting the immune status of the body.

Cycloferon is a synthetic drug that promotes the production of endogenous interferon-α. Quickly penetrates into various organs, tissues and biological fluids, including the brain. Patients tolerate this drug well. In addition, Cycloferon prevents the destruction of respiratory tract epithelium by viruses and increases the production of lysozyme in saliva.

Use of antibiotics

Antibiotics for chickenpox are prescribed when there is a threat of bacterial complications.

What does chickenpox look like and what can it be confused with?

photo of the first rash

What is the rash of chickenpox, how does it begin and by what distinctive features is it identified:

• a red spot forms on the skin, their number is small at the beginning, so the spots may remain invisible;
• very soon the spot transforms into a papule - it rises above the skin level;
• just as quickly, the papule turns into a blister - a dense bubble with liquid serous contents, which poses an infectious danger, being contagious;
• the diameter of the blister is up to five mm, has one chamber (there are no partitions inside the blister);
• there is a hyperemic border around it;
• a depression gradually forms in the center - this is how drying begins;
• the formed crust has a red-brown color, disappears after a few days, leaving no scar (except in cases of intentional removal);
• Once a day or every two days, new rashes appear, which leads to a characteristic picture: spots, blisters, and dried crusts are visible on one surface.

New elements of the rash, as a rule, appear within 7 days, and if the rash lasts longer, they indicate a lack of immunity and an unfavorable prognosis.

This description of the rash with chickenpox is inherent in the classical course. But there are also atypical forms.

In particular, the necrotic variety is described by deep ulcers, the bottom of which is covered with plaque, thick black blood crusts form, and scars always remain.

The hemorrhagic form of the rash with chickenpox is typical for people with diseases of the blood coagulation system, when the contents of the vesicles are saturated with blood.

Severe forms are described by a rash in the mouth, febrile fever, severe intoxication, requiring special therapy. In addition, blisters stay on the skin for a long time; a crust forms for several days.

What symptoms may there be in the absence of a rash?

In most cases, the rash that appears with chickenpox does not leave behind scars on the mucous membranes and skin. The rashes do not spread to the germ layer of skin tissue, which is responsible for regenerative processes. That is why surface erosions that form at the site of bursting scree elements heal quickly and without a trace.

The initial signs are a rash of chickenpox, which occurs against the background of an increase in temperature and deterioration in health. The first pimple may appear on the back, face or stomach. More often, spots and nodules appear on closed parts. In rare cases - on the upper and lower extremities. 2 hours pass and the rash covers large areas of the baby’s body.

On the second day the temperature returns to normal and weakness disappears. In the future, the pathology occurs only with rashes.

Features and types of rashes with chickenpox:

• at first they look like transparent water drops;
• the lower part of each pimple has a scarlet rim, there may be swelling;
• on the skin you can see a fresh rash that has just begun to ripen, and dried sores covered with brown crusts.

The rash begins in one area and then appears throughout the body. In this case, the skin is constantly covered with blisters. Waves of new rashes follow each other. New pimples may appear on the skin within 9 days. A person remains contagious, potentially dangerous to other children, for another 5 days after the last neoplasms have appeared on the skin and mucous areas.

If you start to peel off the scabs ahead of time, a “pockmark” may appear, which will be visible on the skin throughout the rest of your life.

In an infant, chickenpox manifests itself:

• a sharp rise in temperature;
• pain in the limbs and muscles - the child will cry a lot, twitch his arms and legs if you touch them;
• irritability, tearfulness, weakness, apathy;
• decreased appetite or complete refusal of breast milk or formula;
• rashes that will cover the entire body, except for the feet and palms.

The most unpleasant sign of pathology is itching. When the blisters form, grow, and burst, the whole body begins to itch very much. It is difficult for an adult to resist, and it is even more impossible for children to do this. It is especially dangerous when the pathology develops in a one-year-old child, to whom it is difficult to explain that it is impossible to scratch pimples or pick off scabs from the skin.

There may be 100 or more blisters, which are characterized by disturbing itching. The form of chickenpox varies in intensity.

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Despite the fact that chickenpox is a well-known disease, it can occur in different ways. There are two types of chickenpox - typical and atypical. The symptoms of typical chickenpox are described above.

Atypical chickenpox is rare and affects people with weakened immune systems. There are the following forms of atypical chickenpox:

• Rudimentary – hidden disease. Its symptoms are so insignificant that a person does not notice the disease.
• Pustular – this type of disease is usually seen in adults. Rashes (pustules) are in no hurry to dry out and turn into crusts. Over time, the contents of the blisters become cloudy and purulent.
• Bullous - a rash on the skin acquires gigantic proportions and is difficult to treat. Symptoms of severe intoxication are also possible, after which the patient recovers slowly and difficultly.
• Hemorrhagic and gangrenous - occurs in people with blood clotting disorders, which fills the pustules. Over time, ulcers and foci of necrosis form. A gangrenous form begins, which can cause death.
• Visceral - bubbles with liquid contents appear not only on the body, but also on the internal organs. It occurs in infants whose bodies are weakened. This form is fatal.

Parents may not even notice a mild form of chickenpox at the initial stage.

Chickenpox can be mild, moderate or severe. A mild form of the disease manifests itself as follows:

• the rash does not cover the entire body, but only certain areas;
• the temperature remains normal or slightly elevated (37.1 -37.3 ° C);
• general condition is satisfactory.

Moderate and severe forms are characterized by significant rashes throughout the body, fever up to 40°C, and general malaise. A severe form can last longer than a week and cause complications.

• The typical form is manifested by intoxication, fever, and a characteristic rash.
• The atypical form has several course options. The rudimentary form is a rise in temperature to 37.5, single elements of the rash, which may look like spots or nodules. The disease often goes unnoticed.
• Atypical forms include gangrenous, bullous and hemorrhagic forms described above.

• The generalized (visceral) form is associated with massive damage to internal organs. It occurs in people with weakened immune systems when the virus multiplies in the cells of internal organs. It manifests itself as pain in the abdomen and lower back, severe damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system, decreased blood pressure and pulse rate.

Examination by a doctor. As a rule, diagnosing chickenpox does not cause difficulties for a specialist.

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• A characteristic rash that appears against the background of elevated temperature and deterioration of general condition;
• Periodic falling asleep, which is accompanied by a rise in temperature;
• False polymorphism of the rash. In a limited area of ​​skin, various elements of the rash are simultaneously present - spots, nodules and blisters;
• Localization of the rash on any part of the body except the palms and soles;
• Rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals and conjunctiva;
• There was contact with a patient with chickenpox.

After examining the skin and mucous membranes, the doctor listens to the condition of the bronchi and lungs, palpates the abdomen, and determines the size of the liver. The examination allows for early detection of complications. In most cases, other tests are not necessary.

1. General blood test. The result may be within normal limits or indicate inflammation - an increase in ESR. There may be an increase in the level of monocytes and the appearance of plasma cells. 2. General urine analysis. Urine unchanged. The appearance of protein, red blood cells and white blood cells indicates a kidney complication. 3.Virusoscopic method:

• The contents of the vesicles are stained with silver and examined under a microscope.
• Antigen detection by immunofluorescence. The material for research is the contents of blisters and ulcers, crusts, mucus from aphthae in the mouth.

4. Virological studies - identifying the pathogen in tissues. A long-term method that takes up to 2 weeks. Due to its duration and high cost, it is not currently used. 5. Serological method - detection in the blood of immunoglobulins M and G - antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus, the causative agent of chickenpox.

In controversial cases, serological and virusoscopic methods make it possible to distinguish chickenpox from other diseases that have similar symptoms: herpes zoster, infection caused by the Coxsackie virus, vesicular rickettsiosis, polymorphous exudative erythema.

Treatment of chickenpox in adults at home is allowed. It is important to strictly observe bed rest, personal hygiene rules and doctor’s recommendations.

Indications for hospitalization for chickenpox:

• development of complications;
• severe form of the disease;
• inability to isolate the patient.

When is the chickenpox virus contagious?

The infection becomes visible with the appearance of a skin rash. But here you should know that 2 days before the appearance of acne, a person becomes a source of infection. The virus is transmitted very easily through airborne droplets. If immunity has not been developed against it, it is almost impossible to avoid infection through contact with a sick baby. Therefore, quarantines in kindergartens are usually associated with chickenpox. The infection period ends when new pimples do not appear, and the old ones are covered with a brown crust.

Parents often wonder what chickenpox rashes on children's legs look like? Doctors say that in shape and maturation process they are similar to other pimples, but appear a little later.

Is it possible to have chickenpox without a rash?

photo of the first pimple with chickenpox

Each infection has atypical forms of progression depending on the influence of external or internal factors on the pathogenesis. Chickenpox without rashes is called rudimentary.

The reasons for its occurrence are the presence of antibodies to the Varicella-Zoster virus, so the symptoms are mild. If the patient was injected with human immunoglobulin after contact with a patient with chickenpox, then he can suffer the infection in a mild form - without a rash. The same scenario is observed in vaccinated children.

Sometimes chickenpox without a rash is registered in pregnant women, if the disease was suffered in childhood, and due to decreased immunity it recurred. As a rule, a recurrence of chickenpox is shingles, but in rare cases, with repeated infection, a rudimentary form develops.

This type of disease is described by the appearance of spots and papules in typical places, but they do not transform into blisters. The number of rash elements is single. Intoxication is mild, temperature is low.

General symptoms of chickenpox

The disease process has characteristic features:

1. Pimples cover your entire body. The red rash is first noticed on the head, but over the course of the day it rapidly moves to the chest, back and limbs.

2. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by severe itching. Pimples can be found on the eyelids, genitals and mouth. What does chickenpox look like in small children's mouths? The number of pimples in the mouth may vary. But in all cases they disappear quickly, without causing any swelling or causing discomfort to the child.

3. New rashes gradually appear. This factor leads to the fact that new fresh formations appear on the body, along with old subsiding wounds.

4. Pimple maturation occurs gradually. At first it looks like a red boil. It is then filled with clear liquid, reaching a diameter of 5 mm. After 2 days, the pimple bursts and becomes covered with a crust.

5. Active rash lasts about 5 days. What does chickenpox look like on the child’s body in the following days? By day 10, the process of formation of new pimples completely stops. Signs of the presence of a rash disappear after 2 weeks from the moment the rash covers with a crust.

6. After the rash has stopped, the patient is contagious for another five days.

7. The child’s health deteriorates only after the appearance of a temperature, which can reach 38-40 degrees. During this period, the baby begins to feel a headache, chills, his appetite worsens, and he may even experience pain in the abdomen. High temperature can be maintained for 3-7 days. In some patients it may not rise at all.

The difference between chickenpox and herpes. On the left – chickenpox papule, on the right – herpes

Differential diagnosis

photo of pimples due to chickenpox

A rash similar to chickenpox also occurs with other diseases. The most common are:

• Coxsackie virus;
• herpetic sore throat, stomatitis, herpes simplex on the skin;
• streptoderma;
• bites;
• strophulus.

Acne that looks like chickenpox, but is not chickenpox, is most often characteristic of an enterovirus. This damage to the skin and mucous membranes is initiated by a type of pathogen - the Coxsackie virus:

• The palms and soles of the feet are always affected;
• there are profuse rashes in the mouth;
• the temperature is very high, rises mainly in the evening and at night, lasts 5-7 days;
• at the stage of completion of the pathology, characteristic changes in the nails appear;
• spots appear on the entire surface of the affected skin, then blisters dry out and the skin peels off.

Among the rashes similar to chickenpox, there is a bacterial streptococcal inflammation of the skin, the first symptoms of which can be confused with the onset of chickenpox. The following differences are inherent:

• low temperature;
• absence of prodrome;
• More often than not the whole body is affected, but a certain area of ​​the skin;
• the mucous membrane is not involved;
• the blisters that form are not dense, they are filled with purulent contents, which dry out into a yellow crust;
• Erosion may form.

Many parents are concerned about pimples due to pruritus, since in young children strophulus is often registered more often than chickenpox. The differences are as follows:

• the pathology involves the lower half of the body (lower back, buttocks, lower limbs);
• the rash itches very much;
• no fever;
• there is often a connection with allergies;
• papules and blisters form;
• the oral cavity is not involved.

Herpes simplex on the skin is localized in groups of blisters, most often on the lips, wings of the nose, and genitals. The rash is preceded by pain, swelling, and itching. There is no coincidence of fever and the appearance of a rash. With herpetic stomatitis, there are many ulcers, the pain is severe, but there are no rashes on the body.

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.

Pimples need to be treated:

• in order to prevent suppuration, blisters are lubricated with drying antiseptics - brilliant green, fucorcin;
• for a comprehensive fight against rashes, Pox-Clean and Calamine are used, they eliminate itching, dry and disinfect;
• in the presence of chickenpox rash in the mouth, rinsing with decoctions of St. John's wort, chamomile, oak bark, sage, followed by lubrication with special pastes and ointments (Cholisal, Solcoseryl) will become relevant.

The uncomplicated form of the disease is characterized by a short-term course; the child recovers over the course of several days. And after 5 days from the moment the crusts fall off, it becomes non-infectious.

Infectious disease doctor Natalya Aleksandrovna Kulikovskaya.

Acne treatment

It is quite possible to avoid the appearance of scars. To do this, you must follow several important rules, namely, do not scratch the wounds left by acne, and strictly follow the doctor’s instructions. To disinfect and speed up the healing of blisters, it is necessary to use brilliant green. It is applied with a cotton swab with careful movements so as not to injure the already formed crusts.

As an alternative, Panthenol in the form of a spray can be used. It also disinfects and can even temporarily eliminate itching. But, if there are a lot of acne, then the doctor may prescribe special medicinal ointments to reduce the intensity of the rash. If you lubricate the affected areas with Gerpervir or Acyclovir, the risk of getting scars after chickenpox is significantly reduced.

Important! To prevent and eliminate the appearance of purulent pimples, chickenpox requires timely treatment of the affected areas with solutions with antiseptic properties.

In addition to brilliant green, doctors often recommend a solution of manganese, boric acid or Furacilin. Calamine lotion helps well, as it not only has an excellent antiseptic effect, but also relieves itching well. This way, pimples will heal quickly and will not cause discomfort in the form of unbearable itching.

The frequency of use of each drug is different. For example, brilliant green can be used to treat acne caused by chickenpox 5-6 times a day, but more serious remedies are not allowed to be used more than 4 times a day.

In order for acne after chickenpox to dry out faster and the crusts to fall off, experts often prescribe ointments containing zinc. You cannot use them yourself, as some people may be severely allergic to this component.

To get rid of the itching caused by chickenpox pimples, you can also use traditional medicine. In this case, decoctions of chamomile, string and yarrow performed well. These products are suitable for getting rid of acne not only on the skin, but also in the mouth.

The most difficult thing to deal with is a rash on the internal organs. This form of chickenpox can only be treated in a hospital under the close supervision of a doctor. In this case, taking powerful antiviral drugs will be a prerequisite.

Drugs

Fresh scars after chickenpox can be eliminated with the following medications:

1. Dexpanthenol ointment. This drug is used immediately after the dried crusts disappear. A small amount of ointment is applied in a thin layer several times a day. The medicine has no contraindications, so it can be used for a long time and at any age.
2. Cream Bepanten. This scar ointment, containing dexpanthenol, stimulates skin regeneration by improving metabolic processes in the internal tissues of the epidermis. Use the cream twice a day, applying a thin layer to the affected areas. Recommended for use by adults and children (more details here).
3. Gel Contractubex. Heparin, onion extract and allantoin, which are part of the gel, accelerate the healing and regeneration of the dermis. Fresh scars are treated 2-3 times a day for a month, and old scars are treated for three months (more details here).
4. Dermatix. Silicone-based gel is designed to smooth scars after chickenpox and moisturize the skin, eliminating pigment residues. Apply 2 times a day for two months. Can be used by children.
5. Mederma. Gel with allantoin, which has anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects. Lubricate damaged areas 3-4 times a day for three months.
6. Zeraderm Ultra. Polysiloxane-based gel that eliminates fresh and old scars. Apply twice a day with light rubbing movements. The duration of treatment ranges from three weeks to 2-3 months.
7. Kelofibrase. Cream based on natural ingredients: urea, sodium hepatrin and D-camphor. Has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect. Treatment is carried out for 1-1.5 months (fresh scars) or 6 months for old scars. Apply 2-3 times a day and massage lightly.

   Bepanten cream contains dexpanthenol, stimulates the regeneration of the skin by improving metabolic processes in the internal tissues of the epidermis.

   Gel Contractubex accelerates the process of healing and regeneration of the dermis.

   Dermatix silicone-based gel is designed to smooth out scars after chickenpox.

   Kelofibraze cream has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect.

   Gel with allantoin Mederma has anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects.

What does chickenpox usually look like in a one-year-old child?

Most often, children of preschool age suffer from chickenpox. But what should parents do if they suspect chickenpox in their child, who is not yet 12 months old? They need to know what chickenpox looks like in children before the age of one. It is worth noting that children under one year old very rarely get chickenpox, since they still live with the mother’s immunity, which she passes on to the baby during his birth. But if infection has already occurred, parents should know what chickenpox looks like in very young children. It is worth remembering that infants are more difficult to tolerate the disease described. Parents will need to pay a lot of attention to caring for acne. There are cases when the disease can develop into a more complex form that disrupts the functioning of some internal organs. This condition will require special monitoring by the attending physician.

The spread of chickenpox in children's groups

As a rule, a child gets chickenpox in kindergarten, but, according to statistics, they also catch the infection at school (students who are under 10 years old are susceptible to chickenpox). The incubation period in children is 14 days (in adults it lasts up to 23 days). The itching condition is usually mild. But to prevent the baby from wanting to scratch the rash, doctors prescribe antihistamines that relieve itching.

Medical practice confirms that all people become infected in childhood. But parents whose children were spared the disease are not interested in the question of what acne looks like in children with chickenpox in preschool age. It may seem that the body is well resistant to chickenpox when the body of a baby who has been in contact with sick peers is not covered in rashes. How is this possible? Against the background of strong immunity, infection occurs without visible symptoms. This factor is due to the fact that a strong body can easily cope with a small dose of the virus. Therefore, sometimes one gets the impression that a child has not become infected when the majority of children in the team have gotten sick.

Rules for caring for the body during illness

When understanding what chickenpox looks like in a child who is already 2 years old, emphasis should be placed on the similarity of the manifestations of chickenpox that children suffer at an older age. From 3 to 10 years, chickenpox is easily tolerated. As a rule, it does not cause unpredictable complications. But it should be remembered that the rashes cannot be combed, so the nails on the baby’s hands should be constantly trimmed during this period. Scratched wounds are dangerous because they can fester. Scars form in place of the pustules. Parents of the baby should remember that timely hand washing and bathing the child in the shower will help avoid secondary infection.

How to deal with purulent acne?

It is clear that pustules are a consequence of a bacterial infection. It remains to figure out what to do with rashes that fester. How to treat such a complication? What medications and how many of them will be needed, because classical therapy cannot cope with such a situation. To improve the patient’s condition, if any part of the skin has festered, doctors prescribe a suitable antibiotic, preferably at the very beginning of the onset of symptoms. On average, the course of taking the drug takes about a week. This period of antibiotic therapy will reduce the number of rashes. To combat ulcers, the most effective are:

• "Cephalosporin". Dosage: 1 g 3 times a day, intramuscularly or intravenously.
• “Amoxicillin.” The dosage is 1 g every 4 hours. Prescribed in tablets or intramuscularly.
• To combat representatives of the virus, “Acyclovir” tablets, 1 pc., are used. 4-5 times a day.

Taking antibiotics negatively affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the specialist recommends taking a course of probiotics in parallel according to a special scheme: one or two days before taking antibiotics, during all days of the treatment course and 5 days after its completion. There is nothing pleasant when the rash festers, in order to speed up its healing on the skin of the face and body, to prevent the appearance of scars and cicatrices, it is not enough to use only antibiotics, it is necessary to precisely smear the damaged area with the following drugs:

• treat pustules with a solution of calendula, which has an antiseptic and wound-healing effect;
• smear the affected areas with chloramphenicol;
• treat with a solution of fucorcin, which has an antiseptic and antifungal effect;
• To control the situation, new pustules can be smeared with brilliant green.

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During the period of treatment of formed pimples and when new ones break out, the patient’s feeling of itching intensifies. Sometimes it becomes unbearable, annoying, turning into painful sensations. It can be treated with antiallergic drugs. Doctors do not recommend giving preference to serious medications when treating chickenpox infection. “Diazolin” is considered the most suitable - a proven drug that perfectly eliminates unpleasant symptoms.

From the initial signs of illness until all symptoms subside, it is important to closely monitor the rash. Touching the crusts or opening them is strictly prohibited. It is important to remember that untimely or unscrupulous treatment of the disease, especially in older people, is fraught with the formation of scars and pits at the site of pustules.