https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/chickenpox-and-epidermolysis-bullosa-eb/
Chickenpox and epidermolysis bullosa (EB)
This information sheet provides information on the symptoms and treatment of chickenpox for children and young people with EB (a group of rare skin disorders that cause blisters and scarring).
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a common infection which mostly affects children, but you can get it at any age. The main symptom of chickenpox is an itchy, spotty rash. This can appear anywhere on the body.
What are the stages of chickenpox?
Chickenpox happens in three stages. However, new spots can appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.
Stage one: small spots appear
The spots can:
- Be anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth and around the genitals, which can be painful.
- Spread or stay in a small areas.
- Appear red, pink, darker or the same colour as surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone.
- Be harder to see on brown and black skin.
Occur on the eyeball. If this happens, please contact the EB team for advice.
Stage one of chickenpox
Stage two: the spots become blisters
- The spots fill with fluid and become blisters. The blisters are very itchy and may burst.
- Don’t worry, the spots will look different to an EB Blister, and don’t need to be lanced (cut open) in the same way that an EB blister should.
Stage two of chickenpox
Stage three: the blisters become scabs
- The spots form a scab. Some scabs are flaky while others leak fluid.
- The scabs may be itchy but try not to scratch to prevent any skin damage or scaring.
- Once the blisters have formed a scab, they usually fall off naturally within one to two weeks.
Stage three of chickenpox
Are there any other symptoms?
Before or after the rash appears, your child may also get:
- a high temperature
- aches and pains, and generally feel unwell
- lose their appetite
I think my child has chickenpox. What should I do?
Book an appointment for your child to see their GP, so the GP can confirm whether your child has chickenpox.
If your child has chickenpox, please contact the contact the EB Nursing Team (contact details below) for further advice.
How is chickenpox different for people with EB?
Children without EB usually get better from chickenpox within a week or two without having to see a GP. However, as people with EB have much more fragile skin and chickenpox causes itching and scratching, children with EB can sometimes need an anti-viral treatment to help manage the symptoms.
What can I do to help my child feel better?
- Try to make sure they drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration. If your child is struggling to drink enough, ice lollies can help get in some extra fluids.
- Cut your child's fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to prevent skin damage caused by scratching.
- Give regular paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
- Use cooling creams or gels from a pharmacy. These are safe for use on EB skin but should be tested on a small patch of skin first to make sure the skin doesn’t react.
- Give antihistamine to help reduce itching. The GOSH EB team can also advise on anti-viral medication.
- Bathe your child in cool water and pat the skin dry (don’t rub).
- Dress your child in loose clothes.