The rash of chickenpox has a very distinctive appearance. Once he saw a rash, it will be difficult with something confused. However, there are other diseases in which the rash is a bubble in nature. Sometimes these diseases are mistaken for re chickenpox.

Period chickenpox rash

After contact with a sick chickenpox infection occurs after an average of two weeks (the incubation period is 10 - 21 - 23 days). The disease begins with a general malaise that lasts in children from several hours to days, and adult day - two and runs much harder than in children.

After some time on the back of higher temperature (depending on the severity of chickenpox temperature can range from minor to very high), there are the first elements of the rash. Simultaneously, the skin may appear a few red spots round or oval. Spots may be slightly above the skin, introducing a papules. After some time on top of these plaques appear small (1-3 mm in diameter) bubbles with clear content. Some papules dry on not turning into bubbles.

Period rash develops in waves: usually the body temperature rises and its background on the skin or mucous membranes of several new elements rash. Depending on the severity of these waves can be from two to more than 5 to 6 and at intervals of 1-2 days.

How does the rash of chickenpox

The typical rash of chickenpox is a small vesicles with clear content, surrounded by a small rim of reddened skin. Within a day or two blisters turn into scabs that fall off after 1-3 weeks. And as skin rash, usually appear in waves, the baby's skin becomes mottled appearance: red spots combined with bubbles and brown.

On the mucous membranes may appear rash with blisters, but the bubbles quickly burst, turning to erosion. The healing of erosions on the mucous membranes takes place without the formation of scabs.

Atypical chickenpox rash

By atypical rash of chickenpox include hemorrhagic and gangrenous. Hemorrhagic rash usually appear in people with weakened immune systems Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults . At the same time the second or third day of the period rashes bubbles filled with bloody contents. There are also hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes, nasal bleeding. Sometimes - bloody vomiting. This dangerous form of chickenpox, which can lead to death of the patient.

In malnourished patients immunocompromised children may also develop gangrenous form of chickenpox. This form often develops due to incorrect or insufficient care for the child due to secondary bacterial infections. Thus bubbles with clear content become first in pustules (pustules), and then in their place are formed necrotic scabs after the falling away of which are non-healing ulcers with long dirty necrotic (dead tissue from) the bottom and high edges. These ulcers heal for a long time followed by scarring (scars). Often this rash complicated by the formation of abscesses and abscesses requiring surgical treatment.

The rash of chickenpox can spread to the internal organs. In severe forms of chickenpox, it can manifest itself in the form of small foci of necrosis (tissue necrosis) in different organs (lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys), which may be accompanied by the appearance of scar tissue and decrease the function of an organ. Severe atypical forms of chickenpox occur in debilitated patients, especially when the chickenpox occurs on the background of behavior therapy glucocorticoid hormones.

The rash of chickenpox after

After chickenpox rash usually leaves no trace, but in severe chickenpox if bubbles are very large, since they can form small scars. If a chicken pox rash joins a secondary bacterial infection of the skin after it formed the beginning of sores and scars then, the magnitude of which depends on the severity of the infection.

Therefore, the importance of chickenpox Chickenpox: painful, but not dangerous   given hygiene practices, whose main objective - prevention joining a secondary infection.

Than to treat chickenpox rash

Typically, such a rash does not require special treatment, sufficient care, which aims to prevent secondary bacterial infections. To do this, smeared with green paint elements of the rash, the child's fingernails short sheared and hand treated with antiseptic solutions (eg, antiseptic hand gel) taking care not to wet the elements of the rash. If the rash is very much the individual patches on the skin can be lubricated with 5% acyclovir cream Acyclovir - as it is safe?   with antiviral action.

Galina Romanenko

  Previously, varicella, or chicken pox, almost everyone was sick before reaching adulthood, sometimes with serious complications. Today, the number of cases and hospitalizations chickenpox Chickenpox: painful, but not dangerous   fell sharply. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and the probability of infection of those who have no immunity, is very high. It is believed that chickenpox relatively benign disease, and in most cases it is. Unfortunately, we can not know in advance who it will be severe. People once recover from chickenpox are immune from this disease.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of chickenpox:

• Reddish, itchy rash on the skin, initially resembling insect bites; As a rule, the first rash appears on the face, scalp, chest and back;
• Small, fluid-filled blisters that burst after a while, and crust;
• Fever;
• Abdominal pain and / or loss of appetite;
• Mild headache;
• The general feeling of anxiety and discomfort, irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper ;
• Dry cough.

New blisters continue to appear for several days. A person with chickenpox is contagious for 48 hours before the rash appears and remains contagious until all the blisters do not burst and covered with crust.

In severe cases, the rash can spread to the whole body, hit the throat, eyes and mucous membranes of the urethra, anus and vagina.

When to see a doctor

If you suspect that you or your child has chickenpox, consult your doctor. For the diagnosis of the doctor usually examines rashes and notes the associated symptoms. He may appoint a medication to relieve the symptoms and treatment of complications. Arrange a visit to the doctor for some time, to avoid a long wait, during which you can infect other people.

Tell your doctor if you show signs of complications, such as:

• The rash spreads to one or both eyes.
• The rash gets very red, hot and painful - it can be a sign of a secondary bacterial skin infection.
• Rash accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tremors, loss of muscle coordination, a strong cough, vomiting, and very high body temperature (above 39.4 C).

Risk factors

The risk of chickenpox is especially great for those who:

• I had not had chickenpox.
• I have not been vaccinated against chickenpox.
• He works at school, kindergarten or other institutions for the care of children.
• He lives in a house with children.

Complications

Although usually chickenpox occurs in the form of a relatively soft, it can cause complications, particularly in patients belonging to the following groups:

• Newborns and infants whose mothers never sick with chickenpox or been vaccinated against it;
• Adult patients;
• Pregnant women;
• People with a weakened immune system;
• People taking steroids, for example, patients with asthma;
• Patients with eczema.

Bacterial skin infections are a common complication of chickenpox. This disease can also lead to pneumonia or, rarely, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) - both disorders can be very serious.

Shingles

Any person who recover from chickenpox, one can develop shingles Ringworm - not only infectious disease . After completion of the active phase of the varicella-zoster virus varicella-zoster remains in nerve cells. Many years later, the virus can become active and cause shingles Shingles - from simple ailments and brain damage   - A condition characterized by the appearance on the skin of a plurality of painful blisters. Shingles is most prevalent in the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. People who in the past suffered chickenpox, can be recommended for vaccination against shingles.

Chickenpox and pregnancy

Other complications of chickenpox are threatening to pregnant women and their future children. Chicken pox early in pregnancy can lead to various problems in the newborn, including low birth weight and birth defects.

Even more dangerous, if infection with chickenpox occurred a week before the birth. This can cause severe, life-threatening infections in newborns.