Chickenpox, better known as chickenpox, is an airborne acute viral disease. Fortunately, in almost all cases the prognosis is favorable.
However, the disease must be treated immediately, as its symptoms cause considerable discomfort. The article will discuss the rash that manifests itself in chickenpox, as well as how and how it can be eliminated.
Clinical picture
To begin with, you should study it. The incubation period after ingestion of the Varicella Zoster virus (the causative agent of chickenpox) lasts 3-4 days. Then the following symptoms begin to appear:
- Point rashes.
- Periodically rising temperature. This symptom has a wavy character, since the fever coincides with the period when the rash appears.
- Severe itching.
- Exanthema on the mucous membranes.
In rare cases, the patient is still concerned about headache, fever and lumbosacral pain. Basically, these symptoms are manifested in sick adults, but this is a rarity, since chickenpox is mainly carried in childhood.
Incubation period
A rash with chickenpox does not manifest itself immediately. Before its appearance, for a few days, and sometimes a couple of hours, the child's activity disappears, drowsiness, fatigue and headache appear. Then he begins to shiver, the temperature rises.
These symptoms indicate a prodromal period. As soon as the temperature rises, a rash occurs. With chickenpox, this is always the case.
The first points, which are called “resh,” appear precisely in this period. Reddish spots can spread throughout the body. They are very similar to the rashes that characterize measles or scarlet fever.
Acute period
Talking about the symptoms of chickenpox in adults (treatment and the specifics of therapy will be discussed later), it should be noted that a distinctive feature of this disease is the formation of a specific pathogenesis of the rash. The moment when it begins to appear coincides with the day when a fever occurs.
The temperature rises to low levels. However, along with it, dots in the body appear jerkily.
What is the nature of a chickenpox rash? It represents pink spots, with a diameter of 2-4 mm. In a few hours, they turn into papules, some of which become vesicles. They are single chamber and are surrounded by a corolla of hyperemia.
After some time (after about 1-3 days), the vesicles dry out, resulting in the formation of brown or dark red crusts, falling off after 9-11 days. However, with chickenpox, the rash, having a polymorphic nature, often reappears. Therefore, in the same area, you can often see simultaneously crusts, vesicles, papules and spots.
Features of the appearance of a rash
This disease is specific. Although the symptoms are always the same, there are some features of the rash in chickenpox. Take, for example, the day the symptoms appear. In one child, spots on the skin may appear on the 11th day after communication with the patient, in another - much later.
Then comes the prodromal period, also having a different duration. But, if we talk about average indicators, then the rash appears on the skin 14 days after the child communicates with the patient.
Where are the first spots localized? This is also an important question to answer, since it is about the nature of the rash with chickenpox. But only in the case of this disease there is no staging. The rash appears simultaneously on several parts of the body. But most often it can be detected:
- on the stomach and back;
- face;
- limbs;
- scalp.
Rashes rarely appear in the mouth and palms. But itching is noted almost everywhere, throughout the body. Unfortunately, he worries the patient throughout the disease - from the moment when the papules appear, and until the formation of crusts on them.
Diagnostics
Before proceeding to a discussion of the specifics of treating the elements of a rash with chickenpox, a little attention should be paid to this topic.
To make a correct diagnosis, it is enough for the doctor to study the general clinical picture. She is very specific. But a blood test - no. Pathological changes are limited by accelerating the erythrocyte sedimentation rate - this indicates the development of the inflammatory process in the body.
As part of the diagnosis of chickenpox, a virological study can be carried out aimed at detecting virions during electromicroscopy of a vesicular fluid that is stained with silver. Also, the patient is often referred for serological analysis carried out in paired sera using RTGA and CSC.
Treatment of rash with brilliant green
This is perhaps the most popular tool that everyone knows about. A solution of brilliant green is an affordable alcohol-based antiseptic that has an intense antimicrobial and disinfecting effect.
This inexpensive solution has a detrimental effect on pathogenic fungi, gram-positive microorganisms, staphylococcus and even diphtheria bacillus. Its advantage is that it does not adversely affect tissues. It dries rashes, but does not violate the integrity of the epidermis.
The use of brilliant green helps to reduce itching, speed up the drying process of the rash, and also to avoid additional infection and subsequent suppuration, which is likely, because a violation of the integrity of the pustule is fraught with the formation of a wound.
Use of potassium permanganate
This solution is also often used for chickenpox in children. Clinical recommendations for the use of potassium permanganate are based on the action it provides - it is an excellent antiseptic, especially helping in cases where the disease affects large areas of the body.
After treating the rash with this solution, it will be possible to quickly weaken the itch and contribute to the intensive healing of open wounds.
Here's what to consider when applying potassium permanganate:
- It must be dissolved in warm water.
- Before treating acne, it is important to wait until the crystals dissolve completely. Otherwise, there is a risk of burning your skin.
- To breed powder, using a spoon and gloves.
- Treat the rash only with a weak, 1 percent solution. If suppuration is strong, then you can apply 3 percent, but this is the maximum.
- If a rash is observed throughout the body, it is allowed to wash with a solution. But then it should be as weak as possible, especially if the procedure is done for the child - from 0.1% to 0.5%.
And, by the way, potassium permanganate can not be used more than once a day.
The use of "Calamine"
Since we are talking about the features of the treatment of rash with chickenpox, it is also necessary to talk about the use of this drug.
Calamine Lotion, which contains the same active substance, as well as iron and zinc oxides, has a powerful antiseptic effect. And it is allowed even for the treatment of sick chickenpox. It is easy to apply:
- First you need to shake the container with lotion.
- Then apply it on a piece of clean cloth or a cotton pad.
- Treat the affected area of the body.
You can use the drug a maximum of four times a day. But use is allowed until the rashes completely disappear. It is recommended to combine skin treatment with lotion with the internal use of antihistamines.
By the way, the use of lotion for the treatment of mucous membranes is prohibited. And you always need to wait until it is completely absorbed. Otherwise there will be no effect.
Fucorcin treatment
Under this name, a purple solution is known. Its basis is phenol, resorcinol and boric acid. These substances form a very effective combination that can prevent infection of open wounds. They also stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues, gently stopping itching.
Discussing the specifics of eliminating the symptoms of chickenpox in adults and the treatment of the disease, it should be noted that it is forbidden to abuse Fucorcin. Four times a day is enough, and you need to repeat the procedure at regular intervals.
Do not be afraid of the appearance of burning and pain after applying the product - this is normal. The reason for stopping treatment with this solution is only edema.
Rivanol treatment
This medicine is available in powder form, which must be dissolved before use. Interestingly, the product colors the skin yellow, so using it, you can track the appearance of new elements of the rash. Same thing with green.
"Rivanol" has an antiseptic effect - it is recommended to use it in order to prevent suppuration of tissues. How often to use it, individually determined by the attending physician.
Usually enough twice a day. It is important to know that “Rivanol” is prohibited for use if the patient has protein in the urine or if he has kidney disease. Children under three years of age should also not be used.
Chicken pox vaccination
You should also talk about this topic. In developed countries, vaccinations against this disease have been done since the 70s. For almost 50 years, it has been possible to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease, both in children and adults. This is important, because the complications of the disease, albeit rare, can be pneumonitis, encecalitis, pneumonia, or unaesthetic scars on the skin of the body.
Vaccination from chickenpox is very effective, it is distinguished by high immunogenicity. It forms immunity to the disease in 95% of vaccinated children. In the case of adolescents, the indicators are slightly worse, they make up 78%.
In Russia, chickenpox vaccines were licensed in 2008. Doctors recommend vaccinations, it is best to send children aged one to two years to this procedure. Adults can go for vaccination if desired. This must be done if in childhood, chickenpox did not happen.
Approximately 1-3 weeks after vaccination, the patient may have a fever and a rash. This is normal - these symptoms indicate the active formation of immunity to the disease. They do not require treatment! All unpleasant manifestations will pass on their own after a couple of days.
As a rule, vaccination is tolerated easily. The body responds to the vaccine locally: in the area where the injection was made, there is swelling, redness, thickening and mild soreness. Very rarely, temperature rises, malaise, weakness and lymph nodes increase.
Quarantine
About this - in the end. As mentioned earlier, the disease under discussion is most often sick in childhood. And if suddenly an outbreak of chickenpox is detected in the garden, quarantine is likely to be arranged. This also happens in schools. The isolation period lasts, usually 21 days.
What happens when chickenpox only affects one student? It is important that parents notice suspicious symptoms on time and go with the child to the doctor. If he has chickenpox, a sick leave is issued.
The child should be at home until the symptoms completely disappear, even if at some point it becomes much easier for him. Indeed, you can really become infected simply by standing next to the carrier of the infection.
Information about the identification of a quarantine ailment is transmitted to the clinic. There, the diagnosis is confirmed, and then quarantine is announced at the educational institution. If at some point (for example, on the 5th day after the start of the "vacation") another sick child is discovered, the period is also extended by 21 days.
By the way, the following measures contribute to the speedy elimination of infection:
- Intensive ventilation of rooms through the method for 30 minutes. This must be done before and after visiting the students.
- Increase breaks between classes up to 10 minutes.
- Regular wet cleaning in offices and rooms.
- Maintaining a humidity level of 60-80%.
- Ultraviolet air disinfection twice a day.
- Disinfection of school exhibits, toys and utensils.
We hope you find this article useful.