Chickenpox - What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of chickenpox is a rash. It will most likely start about two to three weeks after you come into contact with someone who has it.

Before the rash appears, you may also:

Feel ill
Have a raised temperature of about 38°C to 39°C (100°F to 102°F).

The rash will probably start on your upper body, face or scalp. Later, you may get it on your legs and arms.

At first you will get spots, which are itchy and filled with fluid.[1] After a few days, the spots will crust over and get a scab. The spots from chickenpox don't usually leave a scar unless they get infected. This can happen if you scratch them. You can use calamine lotion or another type of cream to reduce the itching. You can buy this at the pharmacist.

Your doctor can probably tell whether you have chickenpox by looking at your rash.[2] If your doctor is not sure that you have chickenpox, then you can have a test done on the fluid in your spots, or on your blood.

References

Coole L, Law B, McIntyre P. Vaccines for preventing varicella in children and adults (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Klassen TP, Hartling L, Wiebe N, et al. Acyclovir for treating varicella in otherwise healthy children and adolescents (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library. Wiley, Chichester, UK.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.