Chickenpox is a very common viral infection in children, without seriousness in the vast majority of cases.

But between the feverish flares and the itching, it can be difficult for the youngest.

On Europe 1, doctor Jimmy Mohamed lists the actions to be implemented.

Almost all of the children catch it.

Chickenpox is one of those very common childhood viral infections that is difficult to escape because it is extremely contagious.

But chickenpox is also mild in most cases, at least if you follow a few basic rules.

Thursday, in

Sans Rendez-vous

, the health program of Europe 1, the general practitioner Jimmy Mohamed goes around the actions to adopt if your child has contracted it.

Why do doctors forbid taking ibuprofen or aspirin during chickenpox?

“In general, ibuprofen or aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory drug is not prescribed during any viral infection, especially with chickenpox. It is believed that these drugs cause certain neurological disorders when ingested during a serious viral infection, particularly of the skin, such as chickenpox. Giving an anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can lead to serious neurological and hepatic damage. This is called Reye's syndrome, which is potentially fatal, so as a precaution, avoid ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin without medical advice, and even more so during chickenpox!

What should I give my child in the event of a fever?

There is no risk of complications with taking paracetamol.

But remember that during chickenpox there is little or no fever.

A child with chickenpox rarely exceeds 38.5 °.

The fever never lasts more than 48 hours.

On the other hand, if your child has more than 39 ° of fever and it persists, it may be a superinfection, such as an ear infection.

It often accompanies chickenpox due to the decline in immune defenses.

There is also pulmonary involvement of chickenpox, requiring antibiotics.

So if your child is coughing at the same time, do not hesitate to consult your GP again.

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Can something be applied to speed up the healing of pimples?

Today, nothing is put on chickenpox pimples.

In the past, eosin was also used to dry them out.

But eosin stains the pimples red, making it difficult to see some infections.

However, now there is clear eosin, which will allow you to monitor the skin's course of the disease.

Also avoid long showers or baths.

Cut your child's fingernails very short to prevent them from damaging their pimples.

And do not hesitate to disinfect them if they appear a little suspicious, a little red, because they can become superinfected.

And what about the itch, what can we give them?

Often, the small child does not know how to scratch, and chickenpox will be a source of discomfort and frustration for him.

Conversely, when they are older, they tend to scratch too much.

They may be given antihistamine syrups which have little or no effectiveness - the mechanism of chickenpox is not an allergic mechanism - but which will act like a placebo.

And then their slight sedative effect will allow the child to sleep a little better and therefore to scratch a little less.

Chickenpox remains a mild disease for the child.

And for the adult?

In adulthood, chickenpox is very poorly tolerated.

It is a source of secondary infections and even neurological damage.

This is why, from the age of 12, you can be offered a chickenpox vaccination if you have never had it. "