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Childhood illness guide

Chickenpox

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

Soft pyjamas, lotion and a teddy for home chickenpox care
CP

By Clever Mum Parenting · Parenting guides

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What is chickenpox?

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

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

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

How long does chickenpox last?

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

What helps chickenpox 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

When should you see a GP?

  • 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

Is chickenpox contagious, and can my child go to nursery or 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.

UKHSA guidance: UKHSA says children with chickenpox should stay away from the setting until 5 days after the rash first appears.

Tell the nursery or school, as staff may need to let pregnant staff and parents of children with weakened immune systems know. Count from the day the first spots appeared, not from when you noticed them spreading.

Source: UKHSA exclusion periods for children’s settings (England), checked 25 September 2026. Your nursery or school may have its own policy.

Can a vaccine help prevent chickenpox?

Since 1 January 2026 the NHS routine schedule includes the MMRV vaccine, which protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps and rubella. It is offered at 1 year, with a further dose at 18 months or at the preschool appointment depending on your child’s date of birth. See the NHS vaccination schedule.

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?

Common symptoms include: a high temperature; aches and pains, generally feeling unwell; loss of appetite; and 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; and you or your child have any other symptoms you're worried about.

Can my child go to nursery or school with chickenpox?

UKHSA says children with chickenpox should stay away from the setting until 5 days after the rash first appears. Tell the nursery or school, as staff may need to let pregnant staff and parents of children with weakened immune systems know. Count from the day the first spots appeared, not from when you noticed them spreading.

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. Last updated 25 September 2026.