Treatment for Chickenpox:

Most cases of chickenpox can be managed at home. Chickenpox rash tends to be extremely itchy. Several treatments can be used at home to help a child feel better.

• You can give cool-water baths every 3-4 hours, adding baking soda to the water to calm itching.
• Trimming fingernails can help prevent infection from scratching the blisters. If you have a small infant with chickenpox, cover the child's hands with mittens to minimize scratching.
• Never give aspirin to a child because aspirin has been associated with Reye syndrome.
• Occasionally a child will develop blisters in the mouth, making eating or drinking painful. A person must continue to drink fluids to prevent dehydration. To alleviate pain, provide cold fluids (ice pops are one suggestion) and soft bland foods.
• Avoid any foods that are spicy, hot, or acidic (for instance, orange juice).
• Keep children at home from school and daycare until all blisters have crusted. A child with chickenpox is extremely contagious until the last crop of blisters has crusted.