What should you know about first signs of chickenpox?

Chickenpox often starts with tiredness, reduced appetite, headache or fever before, or around the time of, the rash. The rash may begin as itchy spots, then become small fluid-filled blisters before drying into scabs. New spots can appear while older ones are crusting, so the skin may show different stages at once. The rash commonly affects the trunk, face and scalp but can occur elsewhere, including inside the mouth. Shingles is a different pattern caused by reactivation of the same virus and usually affects a more limited area.

Contact a GP or health service for advice, particularly if the person is pregnant, very young, immunocompromised or taking medicines that suppress immunity. Avoid scratching, keep nails short and use gentle clothing. Do not share towels, bedding or close-contact space with people who are not immune. Ask a clinician or pharmacist which options are suitable for itch and fever; antiviral treatment may be considered for people at higher risk when started early. Vaccination can be discussed for prevention.

Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, severe headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, dehydration, a rapidly worsening rash, severe skin pain, or redness and swelling around a blister. Prompt advice matters when chickenpox affects a pregnant person, newborn or someone with reduced immunity. Do not wait for the rash to settle if the person is becoming significantly unwell.

Ask whether the rash fits chickenpox, how long to avoid close contact, which itch treatment is suitable, whether antiviral medicine is relevant, and when vaccination should be considered for household members.