Effective Chickenpox Treatment at Home

The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox (VZV). It is also known as varicella. Chickenpox is very contagious and can even spread by droplets of air. Itchy, fluid-filled vesicular rashes and persistent fever are its hallmark symptoms. 

It spreads like wildfire among newcomers, producing increasing discomfort and anguish. It mainly affects children. But how to cure chickenpox question remains the same. If you develop chickenpox, management of chickenpox can be done to help your body fight against the virus. 

Here is an effective chickenpox home remedy that can help you relieve symptoms:

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gel soothes and calms inflamed skin, it is a common ingredient in chickenpox treatment. It calms and moisturises the skin.

To make aloe vera gel, cut the leaf in half and scoop out the gel. Apply this gel 2-3 times a day for the best effects. This chickenpox treatment is safe for children and newborns.

2. Apply calamine lotion

Calamine lotion helps soothe itching. This lotion contains calming zinc oxide.

In chickenpox treatment, apply calamine lotion on irritated skin with a clean finger or cotton swab. 

Caution: Do not apply calamine lotion on or around your eyes.

3. Baking Soda Bath

Baking soda is anti-microbial in nature and aids in chickenpox treatment at home. A baking soda bath helps in the management of chickenpox symptoms. Here’s how you use baking soda for a bath.

• Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water, enough to cover the affected areas.
• Add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda to the water and mix till the baking soda completely dissolves in the water.
• Soak in the bathtub for 10 to 12 minutes and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
• You can also add anti-microbial liquids to the bath.

4. Oatmeal bath

Oatmeal baths are an amazing chickenpox home remedy. It helps relieve itching and soothe chickenpox. Bathing won’t spread chickenpox from one location to another. While most drugstores sell oatmeal bath products for chickenpox treatment, you can manufacture your own by following these steps:

• Use 1 cup of oatmeal for older kids and ⅓  cup for infants and toddlers. 
• Grind it using a food processor or coffee grinder. Oatmeal in a muslin bag or pantyhose also works.
• Prepare a warm (not hot) bath and ground oatmeal in warm water till it turns milky.
• Let the body soak in an oatmeal bath for 20 minutes maximum.

You can also apply oatmeal lotion on the skin. It can help relieve itchy chickenpox blisters.

5. Bath with Apple Cider Vinegar

Bathing with apple cider vinegar is used as a chickenpox home remedy. The anti-microbial property of vinegar help in the management of chickenpox. It also helps reduce scarring, healing marks, and blemishes.

Add the apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. Rinse with normal water after the bath.

Add two drops of tea or lavender oil to the warm water to counteract the vinegar’s odour. Tea trees and lavender oils are known to help sleep better.

6. Sugarfree Popsicles

Chickenpox inside the mouth can be excruciating. Sugar-free popsicles help heal a child’s mouth sores and avoid dehydration.

7. Mittens to avoid scratching

The temptation to scratch your blisters can increase your pain and expose your skin to infection.

Put mittens or soft socks on your child’s hands at night or during naps to minimise scratching. Trimming your child’s fingernails can also assist in preventing damage.

8. Essential Oils

Coconut, lavender, tea tree, and other essential oils have characteristics of chickenpox home remedies. Coconut oil soothes irritation by moisturising the skin. Lavender oil exhibits solid anti-microbial properties that prevent infection. Likewise, tea tree and eucalyptus oil also help soothe inflamed skin.

Mix 12 tsp coconut oil with 1 tsp lavender or tea tree oil. Apply it 2-3 times daily for quick results.

9. Lime Juice

Lime is high in vitamin C and antioxidants. It is an astringent, speeding up the chickenpox treatment and reducing scars and rashes caused by it.

Apply diluted lime juice on rashes using cotton and leave it on for 5 minutes. Apply it twice a day for quick effects.

Use lime juice cautiously, as it can sting the affected region.

10. Chamomile compresses

Your chamomile tea may also help in the management of chickenpox. When administered topically, chamomile exhibits antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Add 2–3 chamomile tea bags brewed and cooled in your warm bath. Then apply the tea-soaked soft cotton pads or cloths on itchy skin and gently pat the skin dry.

11. Herbal Tea

Herbal drinks are also helpful in chickenpox treatment. It includes lemon balm, basil, and chamomile that help digestion and boost immunity. They are also high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can speed up recovery from chickenpox.

Add honey or lemon juice to make herbal tea more appealing. Drink 2 cups of tea a day for the best results.

12. Honey

Honey is an excellent chickenpox home remedy for itchy blisters and sores. It helps lessen the impulse to scratch and reduces scarring.

• Apply honey to the wounds.
• Keep it on for 20 minutes.
• Wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse thoroughly with water.
• Apply it twice daily.

13. Boiled guava leaves

Guava leaves are high in vitamin C and exhibit antibacterial properties to treat skin irritations and infections.

• Boil guava leaves for 10–15 minutes.
• Strain it and add honey to taste.
• Warm this tea.
• You can have 2-3 cups daily.

People suffering from hypoglycemia should avoid having it, as it tends to decrease blood glucose levels. People having heart issues should also avoid this remedy.

14. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is a hydrator. It lightens and exfoliates the skin’s surface. It is anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants that help heal rashes. It can help reduce scarring if used early in chickenpox treatment.

• Pour the drops of oil from vitamin E capsules.
• Apply on scars and rashes.
• Keep it on for a while.
• Apply this oil 2-4 times daily.

15. Green Peas

Green peas are used in ayurveda as a chickenpox treatment to treat sores and blisters. They help relieve inflammation and irritation and calm the skin. They contain vitamin C, B6, and folic acid.

• Boil peas to make a paste.
• Gently apply this paste on rashes.
• Leave it on for an hour.
• Then take a warm bath.
• Repeat it daily.

16. Neem Juice

The neem tree, often known as the Indian lilac, is another antibacterial and antiviral agent. It instantly relieves itching. Its ointment can also dry blisters and speed up healing.

• Make a paste of the neem leaves. Relish in this paste for several hours.
• You can also take a neem bath. Add some neem leaves to warm water and soak or rinse your body.
• Do this twice a day.

17. Marigold flowers and witch hazel leaves

The marigold flower gently moisturises the skin. It is a very effective chickenpox treatment in combination with witch hazel leaves to destroy the infection-causing virus. 

• Soak marigold and witch hazel flowers overnight.
• Make a fine paste of this and apply it on rashes.
• After an hour or so, carefully wash it off.

18. Ginger 

This remedy helps reduce irritation in chickenpox. Ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. To use ginger for Chickenpox treatment, grate a small piece of fresh ginger and wrap it in a clean cloth. Dip the cloth in warm water and apply it to the affected areas for 20 minutes. Repeat several times a day. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of ginger essential oil with coconut oil or olive oil and apply the mixture to the affected areas to reduce inflammation.

19. Healing diet for chickenpox

Although chickenpox takes a long time to heal, the home remedies mentioned above can relieve all symptoms. Along with the above chickenpox treatment, a nutritious diet is required to build immunity against chickenpox.

• Immunity-boosting foods include carrots, omega-3-rich fish, and green vegetables like kale, broccoli, spinach, grass-fed beef, lamb, and chicken.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks, salty foods, nuts and acidic fruits like grapes.

If chickenpox symptoms don’t respond to these home remedies, it’s good to consult your primary healthcare doctor and get treated immediately. 

Disclaimer: The information given in this article is true to our best knowledge. Still, we recommend that you consult your doctor before taking any diet or treatment for chickenpox mentioned in this article.