Chickenpox is an uncomfortable skin infection that lasts between 5 and 10 days.The condition is commonly recognized for its flu-like symptoms and blister rash. Though it only lasts for a short while, chickenpox is highly contagious. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and mainly affects children under the age of 12.
Since the development of the varicella vaccine in the 1990s, chickenpox has evolved from a normal childhood disease to a rare one. What remains, however, are common misconceptions and myths about chickenpox. Here are five common myths debunked.
Scratching causes scarring.
If you’re familiar with chickenpox, you probably remember being told, most likely by a parent, that scarring will result from scratching the itchy rash. However, only aggressive, constant scratching will cause scarring. Scars from scratching will most likely fade within a few months. More permanent scarring may occur when blisters become infected with bacteria. if not treated with antibiotics.
You are immune from chickenpox after having it.
After having chickenpox, most people will have lifelong immunity to the infection and will not contract it again. In rare cases, however, it is possible to experience chickenpox more than once, especially if you were very young the first time or if you are immunocompromised.
Chickenpox is harmless, and children should be exposed intentionally.
A common myth is that children should be exposed to chickenpox so that a child can develop lifelong immunity after having it. The myth is especially believed because of the common understanding that chickenpox is worse the older a person is.
However, chickenpox can be a serious, sometimes fatal disease and affects every child differently. Those at high risk for complications, such as infants and children with weak immune systems can have a more severe case of the disease. Harmful complications that can arise from chickenpox include pneumonia, infections of the skin, bloodstream, joints, and bones, swelling of the brain, and toxic shock syndrome.
Only adults get shingles.
Chickenpox is one of two diseases caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The second disease is shingles. Because the varicella-zoster virus remains in the body after chickenpox, it can re-emerge later in life as shingles. Although shingles is more common in those 50 years and older, anyone who has had chickenpox, no matter their age, can experience shingles.
Calamine lotion is an effective home remedy for chickenpox.
Chickenpox is a miserable experience largely because of the itchy rash. Calamine lotion is often a suggested remedy for itchy skin, but doctors actually no longer recommend it because it becomes ineffective as soon it dries.
