Chickenpox: Preventing Skin Infections

Scratching chickenpox blisters can lead to skin infections and possible scarring.

Here are some tips to help prevent skin infections.

• Wash your child's hands often.
• Clean and closely trim your child's fingernails.
• Give your child lukewarm or cool baths with oatmeal bath products to reduce itching. You can also add a handful of oatmeal (ground to a powder) to your child's bath. After a bath, pat—rather than rub—your child's skin dry.
• Wet a soft cloth with cool water or with cool water mixed with baking soda. Put the cool compress directly on the skin to cool your child's skin and relieve itching.
• Have a small child wear mittens or clean cotton socks on their hands to prevent scratching. Or use light bandages over open blisters.
• Distract your child when you find them scratching.
• Use loose-fitting cotton clothing.
• Change clothes daily.
• Use a mild laundry detergent if clothes or bedsheets seem to be irritating the skin.
• Use a household cleaner such as Lysol or Pine-Sol to wash any items that are soiled with fluid from chickenpox blisters.