The whole sequence generally lasts a week to no longer than 2 weeks. Complications include secondary bacterial infection which is quite common and may leave a pitted scar. Rare complications include pneumonia in the adults, and encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain. Uncomplicated chicken pox is a mild disease. The patient should be kept in bed while the fever is present and calamine lotion can be applied to keep the rash dry and less itchy.
Oral antihistamines help to stop the itch and also help to sedate a restless child.
After the temperature drops back to normal, tepid baths or showers clean up the skin as the crusts are ready to break away. In the case of secondary bacterial infection, local antibiotic ointments may be necessary and in severe cases of infection, oral antibiotics may be prescribed. If complications are suspected, your local doctor should be called in. The child is infectious for approximately 5 days before the rash appears and for 6 days after the appearance of the last crop of the lesions.