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🔴 Childhood illness guide

Chickenpox

An itchy, spotty rash that spreads easily and mostly affects children

EW

By Emma Whitfield · Pregnancy & Baby Writer

What it is

Chickenpox is a common infection that spreads easily and mostly affects children.

Symptoms

  • A high temperature
  • Aches and pains, generally feeling unwell
  • Loss of appetite
  • An itchy, spotty rash

How long it lasts

Spots usually appear around 1 to 3 weeks after catching chickenpox, and the illness usually clears up after 1 to 2 weeks.

What helps at home

  • Offer plenty of fluids — try ice lollies if your child isn't drinking much
  • Give paracetamol to help with pain or discomfort
  • Cut your child's fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop scratching
  • Use cooling creams or gels from a pharmacy; ask a pharmacist about antihistamines for itching
  • Bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it, and dress in loose clothes

See a GP if

  • You're not sure it's chickenpox
  • You're breastfeeding and have chickenpox symptoms

Get help from NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment if:

  • Symptoms get worse — such as red, hot or painful skin around the blisters (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
  • Your child has chickenpox and shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
  • You've been near someone with chickenpox and have a weakened immune system or are pregnant
  • You think your newborn baby has chickenpox, or has been near someone with it
  • You have chickenpox and you're more short of breath than usual
  • You or your child have any other symptoms you're worried about

Contagious period & nursery/school

Chickenpox spreads from about 2 days before the spots appear until all the spots have formed a scab — usually around 5 days after the spots first appeared. Stay off nursery or school until then.

Chickenpox: common questions

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common infection that spreads easily and mostly affects children. Spots usually appear around 1 to 3 weeks after catching chickenpox, and the illness usually clears up after 1 to 2 weeks. This is general information, not a diagnosis — see a GP or call NHS 111 if you're unsure.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

A high temperature Aches and pains, generally feeling unwell Loss of appetite An itchy, spotty rash

When should I get urgent help for chickenpox?

Get help from NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment if: Symptoms get worse — such as red, hot or painful skin around the blisters (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin) Your child has chickenpox and shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies You've been near someone with chickenpox and have a weakened immune system or are pregnant You think your newborn baby has chickenpox, or has been near someone with it You have chickenpox and you're more short of breath than usual You or your child have any other symptoms you're worried about

Sources & further reading

This is general information sourced from NHS.uk, not medical advice or a diagnostic tool. Every child is different — if you're at all worried, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999. Reviewed July 2026.