Symptoms
Chickenpox causes a red, itchy skin rash that usually appears first on the stomach or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.
The rash begins as multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. They develop into thin-walled blisters filled with clear fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister wall breaks, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs.
Chickenpox blisters are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide, have a reddish base, and appear in groups over 2 to 4 days. The rash may be more extensive or severe in kids who have skin disorders such as eczema.
Some kids have a fever, stomach pain, sore throat, headache, or an unclear sick feeling a day or 2 before the rash appears. These symptoms may last for a few days, and fever stays in the range of 100°-102° F (37.7°-38.8° C), though in rare cases it may be higher. Younger kids often have milder symptoms and fewer blisters than older children or adults.
The rash begins as multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. They develop into thin-walled blisters filled with clear fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister wall breaks, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs.
Chickenpox blisters are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide, have a reddish base, and appear in groups over 2 to 4 days. The rash may be more extensive or severe in kids who have skin disorders such as eczema.
Some kids have a fever, stomach pain, sore throat, headache, or an unclear sick feeling a day or 2 before the rash appears. These symptoms may last for a few days, and fever stays in the range of 100°-102° F (37.7°-38.8° C), though in rare cases it may be higher. Younger kids often have milder symptoms and fewer blisters than older children or adults.
