Chickenpox season is here, parents should not be complacent.
The period from February to June each year often sees outbreaks of chickenpox in children. This is an infectious but benign disease, with no severe symptoms; however, it can easily lead to skin infections where the blisters appear, which may result in complications such as sepsis, pneumonia, and encephalitis if not treated promptly and correctly. Especially in young children, particularly infants, chickenpox can lead to unpredictable complications. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to recognize the symptoms early, monitor for signs of worsening, and take their child to a medical facility for timely treatment. Below is useful information provided by experts about chickenpox; parents, let’s find out!
Symptoms of chickenpox:
– The prodromal phase usually lasts 1-2 days before the rash appears. The patient feels fatigued, with a fever ranging from 37.8°-39.4°C.
– The rash first appears on the face and trunk, quickly spreading to all other areas of the body.
– The rash initially presents as maculopapular, progressing to vesicular within a few hours to a few days; most vesicles are small, measuring 5-10 mm, with a red halo around them. The skin lesions are round or oval; the center of the vesicle gradually becomes depressed as the regression process of the lesion begins.
– The initial vesicles contain clear fluid, resembling dew drops, which later becomes cloudy; the vesicles may burst or regress, crusting over; the crusts fall off after 1 to 2 weeks, leaving a shallow scar.
– The rash appears in successive waves over 2-4 days; on each area of skin, all stages of the rash may be present – maculopapular, vesicular, and crusted.
How to prevent chickenpox in young children:
– Ensure full vaccination according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health
– Avoid contact with individuals who have chickenpox or shingles.
– Wash hands regularly with soap, use personal items separately, and clean the nose and throat daily with saline solutions.
– Clean living and study areas, as well as daily use items, with regular disinfectant solutions.
How to care for children with chickenpox:
– Children need to have their skin cleaned properly to avoid bacterial superinfection.
– Keep the child in a separate, well-ventilated room with sunlight.
– When the chickenpox blisters burst, you can wash them with hydrogen peroxide and use sterile cotton to dry.
– Clean the child’s nose and throat daily with saline solution.
– Supplement with vitamin C; provide soft, liquid, easily digestible foods, and ensure plenty of fluids, especially fruit juices.
– In case of high fever, you can give the child fever-reducing pain relievers according to the recommended dosage.
We hope the information above will help parents better understand chickenpox, thereby proactively preventing the disease in young children. If the child shows any unusual signs, parents need to take them immediately to a medical facility for examination and treatment. The International Pediatric Center – Hai Phong International Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, with a team of experienced doctors and modern equipment, is always ready to receive, examine, diagnose, and treat pediatric-related conditions in children. Parents who wish to take their children for a check-up, please contact us via HOTLINE: 0225 395 9999!
