Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch

Home treatment can help reduce the itchiness of the chickenpox rash. Try the following tips to make you or your child more comfortable.

• Take lukewarm or cool baths to help reduce itching. Take baths for 20 to 30 minutes as often as needed to stay clean and soothe your itchy skin. Always stay with young children when they are in a bathtub.
  • Do not use soap, or use only a mild soap. Soaps that are made for sensitive skin or those for babies are usually mild.
  • Add a handful of oatmeal (ground to a powder) to your bath. Or you can try an oatmeal bath product.
  • Pat the skin dry after bathing. Don't rub the skin.
• Apply cool compresses to itchy areas.
  • Wet a soft cloth with cool water alone or cool water mixed with baking soda. Put the cool compress directly on the skin to cool your skin and relieve itching.
  • You can also make an oatmeal paste and apply it to itchy areas. Take some oatmeal (ground to a powder) and mix it with a little bit of warm water to make a paste. Spread the paste on a paper towel. Put the paste side of the towel against the itchy area of skin. Hold it there for 10 to 15 minutes. Then gently rinse the area and pat the skin dry.
• Apply soothing lotions that can help dry chickenpox blisters. You could try lotions with:
  • Phenol, menthol, and camphor, such as calamine lotion.
  • Oatmeal.
• To help prevent skin irritation and scratching:
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.
  • Change clothes daily.
  • Use a mild laundry detergent if clothes or bedsheets seem to be irritating the skin.
• Avoid using antihistamine lotions. You may apply too much medicine, which can be harmful. Ingredients to avoid include:
  • Diphenhydramine.
  • Lidocaine.
  • Pramoxine.
• Ask the doctor about taking an over-the-counter antihistamine to help calm the itching. If you use it, carefully follow the directions on the label. They may help prevent you or your child from scratching the rash and blisters, especially during sleep.
• Keep fingernails short, and try wearing gloves to prevent scratching.
• Avoid getting hot and sweating. These trigger itching.
• Stay out of sunlight. A child can play outside in the shade.