Chickenpox is a common childhood illness. It usually gets better by itself within a week without needing to see a GP.
Check if it’s chickenpox
- Chickenpox starts with red spots which can appear anywhere on the body
- The spots fill with fluid and the blisters may burst
- The spots might spread or stay in a small area
- The spots scab over
- More blisters might appear while others scab over
Other symptoms
Your child might get symptoms before or after the spots, including:
- a high temperature above 38C
- aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
Chickenpox is very itchy and can make children feel miserable, even if they don’t have many spots.
It’s possible to get chickenpox more than once, although it’s unusual.