The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Chickenpox includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Chickenpox may include:
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Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Chickenpox include:
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Effective medications (e.g., acyclovir) are available to treat chickenpox in healthy and immunocompromised persons (e.g, those with cancers, HIV/AIDS, receiving medications that depress the immune system). (Source: excerpt from Facts About Chickenpox (Varicella): CDC-OC)
Varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG), an immune globulin made from plasma from healthy, volunteer blood donors with high levels of antibody to the varicella zoster virus, is recommended after exposure for persons at high risk for complications (e.g., immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, premature infants <28 weeks gestation or < 1000 grams at birth and premature infants whose mothers are not immune). (Source: excerpt from Facts About Chickenpox (Varicella): CDC-OC)
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Antiviral therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Acyclovir seems to stop the rash’s progression and prevent visceral complications. Capsaicin, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and low-dose amitriptyline are the current treatments of choice for postherpetic neuralgia. Topical antiviral ointment is helpful if started early in the disease process.
Herpes zoster can resolve spontaneously and may only require symptomatic treatment, the goal of which is to relieve itching and neuralgic pain with calamine lotion or another antipruritic; aspirin, possibly with codeine or another analgesic; and, occasionally, collodion or compound benzoin tincture applied to unbroken lesions.
If bacteria have infected ruptured vesicles, the treatment plan usually includes an appropriate systemic antibiotic.
Trigeminal zoster with corneal involvement calls for instillation of idoxuridine ointment or another antiviral agent. To help a patient cope with the intractable pain of postherpetic neuralgia, the physician may order systemic corticosteroids — such as cortisone or possibly corticotropin — to reduce inflammation (although their use is controversial). He also may prescribe tranquilizers, sedatives, or tricyclic antidepressants with phenothiazines. In some immunocompromised patients — both children and adults — acyclovir I.V. appears to prevent disseminated, life-threatening disease. High doses of interferon (an antiviral glycoprotein) have been used in patients with cancer when the herpetic lesions are limited to the dermatome.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Chickenpox calls for droplet and contact isolation until all vesicles and most of the scabs are dry (no new lesions; usually 1 week after the onset of the rash). Children with only a few remaining scabs are no longer contagious and can return to school. Congenital chickenpox requires no isolation.
In most cases, treatment consists of local or systemic antipruritics: lukewarm oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, or diphenhydramine (or another antihistamine). Antibiotics are unnecessary unless bacterial infection develops. Salicylates are contraindicated because of their link with Reye's syndrome.
Susceptible patients may need special treatment. When given up to 72 hours after exposure to varicella, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin may provide passive immunity. Acyclovir and famciclovir, antiviral agents, may slow vesicle formation, speed skin healing, and control the systemic spread of infection.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
No specific treatment exists. The primary goal of supportive treatment is to relieve itching and neuralgic pain with calamine lotion or another antipruritic; aspirin, possibly with codeine or another analgesic; and, occasionally, collodion or compound benzoin tincture applied to unbroken lesions.
If bacteria have infected ruptured vesicles, treatment usually includes an appropriate systemic antibiotic.
Trigeminal zoster with corneal involvement necessitates instillation of idoxuridine ointment or another antiviral agent.
To help a patient cope with the intractable pain of postherpetic neuralgia, administer a systemic corticosteroid, such as cortisone or, possibly, corticotropin, to reduce inflammation as well as tranquilizers, sedatives, or tricyclic antidepressants with phenothiazines.
Acyclovir seems to stop progression of the rash and prevent visceral complications. In immunocompromised patients — both children and adults — acyclovir therapy may be administered I.V. The drug appears to prevent disseminated, life-threatening disease in some patients.
Clinical tip Acyclovir and famciclovir shorten the duration of pain and symptoms in normal adults.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Patients must remain in strict isolation until all the vesicles and most of the scabs disappear (usually for 1 week after the onset of the rash). Children can go back to school, however, if just a few scabs remain because, at this stage, varicella is no longer contagious. Congenital varicella requires no isolation.
Generally, treatment consists of the following:
❑ local or systemic antipruritics
❑ cool bicarbonate of soda baths
❑ calamine lotion
❑ diphenhydramine or another antihistamine
❑ antibiotics if bacterial infection develops.
Salicylates are contraindicated because of their link to Reye’s syndrome.
Susceptible patients may need special treatment. When given up to 72 hours after exposure to varicella, V-Z immune globulin may provide passive immunity. Acyclovir may slow vesicle formation, speed skin healing, and control the systemic spread of infection.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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