How to Treat an Adult with Chickenpox

Although chickenpox strikes most commonly during childhood, there are adult cases of the disease. Unlike the childhood version, chickenpox in adults can lead to more serious complications, particularly for pregnant women. Following a few prevention and treatment guidelines will help adults cope with this childhood disease. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Oatmeal bath
• Caladryl lotion

1. Get a blood test from a physician to determine if you have a chickenpox immunity because once you contract chickenpox, you have it for life. The doctor can administer the chickenpox vaccine to prevent or shorten an outbreak.
2. Soothe the itching associated with chickenpox with a warm oatmeal bath and topical lotions such as Caladryl lotion. These are common items found at any drug store or mass merchandiser.
3. Take extra precautions and obtain immediate diagnosis and treatment if you're pregnant and feel you have been exposed to chickenpox especially. This is especially true if you're less than 24 weeks pregnant. The fetus is at an increased risk during this time to develop cataracts, limb defects and other complications as a result of being exposed to chickenpox.
4. Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you have contracted chickenpox. Some adults require hospitalization due to complications.
5. Check again, if pregnant, before giving birth but after 38 weeks if haven't had the disease. Your doctor has medicine to administer to prevent the newborn form contracting chickenpox at birth as this could sometimes lead to infant death.

Tips & Warnings

• Adults must visit a doctor if they contract chickenpox because of the severity of possible complications for adults such as pneumonia.
• Never get a Varivax vaccine if you're pregnant.
• Do not take aspirin to treat chickenpox.