How long does it take to treat chickenpox?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on March 28, 2025
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Chickenpox is caused by an infection with the varicella-zoster virus and is highly contagious. It can be spread through air or droplets by mutual contact. Once infected, the disease can generally be cured within about a week or ten days with proper treatment. During the treatment period, it is essential to drink plenty of water, avoid crowded places, and avoid contact with children or older people to prevent spreading the virus to others. It is also crucial to rest, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and not stay up late. If fever occurs, appropriate fever-reducing medication can be taken.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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The Differences between Chickenpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Chickenpox and hand, foot, and mouth disease are common infectious diseases in young children. Chickenpox is a febrile rash disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Its rash mainly manifests as maculopapular, vesicular, and crusted lesions, which appear simultaneously. Generally, these are primarily seen on the face and trunk with a centripetal distribution. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is mainly caused by viruses, such as enterovirus EV71 or Coxsackievirus A16. It causes a febrile rash disease with rashes typically found on the hands, feet, and around the mouth. Rashes on the chest, back, and face are relatively rare. Thus, the main clinical presentations of hand, foot, and mouth disease and chickenpox are the different forms of rashes.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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How to treat chickenpox in children?

Chickenpox is a self-limiting disease, and when there are no complications, treatment generally involves basic care and symptomatic management. Patients should be isolated, with enhanced nursing care such as frequently changing underwear, trimming the nails of children to prevent scratching, and reducing secondary infections. It is important to maintain good ventilation in the room, provide adequate water and easily digestible food, and use antipruritic agents as appropriate to relieve itching. Antiviral drugs may be appropriately selected, antibiotics can be used for secondary infections, and corticosteroids should not be used.

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Written by Feng Hai Tao
Pediatrics
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How can a child recover quickly from chickenpox?

How can children recover quickly from chickenpox? Chickenpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and direct contact, and is commonly seen in infants and preschool children. Chickenpox is self-limiting, so how does one recover quickly? First, it is crucial to isolate the affected child, practice hand hygiene and disinfection, ensure the child drinks plenty of water, adopt a light and easily digestible diet, avoid stimulating foods such as seafood and spicy items, and provide proper skin care to keep the skin dry, clean, and free from scratching by applying anti-itch ointments. Second, treatment involves antiviral and heat-clearing detoxifying symptomatic treatments. Since there are no specific antiviral drugs, it is important to ensure the child has enough sleep and rest. As long as the child maintains a good spirit and appetite, the usual course of the disease is about a week. Third, try to prevent complications and if there is a secondary infection, antibiotics may be appropriately used, but note that corticosteroids must not be used during the fever phase. The general process takes about a week, and isolation can be lifted once all the rash crusts have fallen off. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is scabies chickenpox?

Scabies is caused by an infection of scabies mites and is highly contagious, generally being transmitted through direct contact, such as sharing clothes or sleeping in the same bed with shared bedding. Typically, the itching is milder during the day and worsens at night. Symptoms include itching, peeling, and blistering between the fingers. In males, red scabies nodules may appear on the scrotum. Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is also highly contagious but primarily spreads through droplets and air. Once infected, it can be treated with antiviral medications. Scabies and chickenpox are entirely different diseases and must be diagnosed and treated separately.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Symptoms and Treatment of Chickenpox in Children

Chickenpox is an acute, contagious, exanthematous disease caused by varicella-zoster virus infection. Before the rash appears, symptoms such as fever, discomfort, and loss of appetite may occur. The fever typically lasts about one day before the rash emerges. The rash initially appears on the head, face, and trunk with a centripetal distribution. The rash can present as macules, papules, vesicles, and crusts all appearing simultaneously. Rashes can also appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth and the genital area. The treatment for chickenpox involves symptomatic and supportive care, and antiviral medications may be used appropriately to protect the skin and prevent scratching.