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.
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Current as of: October 1, 2025
Current as of: October 1, 2025