Chickenpox medicine which is proven to be the most effective drug in pharmacy

Chicken pox (chicken pox) usually resolves in less than two weeks. However, symptoms such as fever and an itchy boil can be bothersome and uncomfortable. Certain medications and treatments can relieve these symptoms. Chickenpox medicine is very necessary for those of you who experience severe symptoms due to weak immunity.

Types of drugs for chicken pox

Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by varicella zoster infection. This virus belongs to the herpes virus family. Although varicella infection can go away on its own, some people still need medical treatment to treat chickenpox.

The reason is, the disease can show more severe symptoms in adults who have not received the smallpox vaccine or people with immune deficiencies.

In addition, chicken pox in pregnant women can harm the fetus at a certain gestational age. Even children under 1 year of age whose immune systems are not yet perfect are at high risk of causing complications.

The chickenpox medicine prescribed by doctors aims to reduce viral infection. While other medicines can treat fever, pain, or itching and burning on the affected skin.

1. Antiviral drugs

Chicken pox is caused by a viral infection. So, antibiotics are not effectively used to treat chickenpox. The doctor will prescribe an antiviral drug such as acyclovir.

As an antiviral, this drug can shorten the phase of infection so that the chickenpox resilience dries up faster. However, its effectiveness is largely determined by the timing of drug administration.

In the BMJ Clinical Evidence study, it is known that acyclovir will work effectively as a chickenpox medicine if given within 24-48 hours of the appearance of the rash on the skin.

Acyclovir does not work to stop infection directly, but it will enter the DNA of viral cells to inhibit its development.

This chickenpox medicine is available in the form of tablets, ointments, and intravenous fluids (intravenous). Acyclovir tablets need to be taken every 5 days for 7 days. In cases of severe symptoms of chickenpox and for conditions of weak immunity, acyclovir is more effectively administered intravenously.

While acyclovir ointment is actually more commonly used to treat symptoms of oral and genital herpes. According to the book Antiviral therapy of varicella , s Alep with 5% acyclovir does not work effectively to inhibit the viral infection that causes smallpox

Other antiviral drugs such as valacyclovir and famciclovir can also reduce the severity of the disease. However, it has not been proven to be effective in curing chickenpox for everyone.

For reasonably healthy patients antiviral treatment may not be given.

2. Immunoglobulin drugs

Immunoglobulin medication is intended for patients with chickenpox who have a weak immune system. This drug works to increase the strength of the body's immune system so that it can fight the ongoing chickenpox virus infection.

This drug is usually put through an IV. Just like antivirals, immunoglobulin drugs need to be taken within 24 hours after the first red rash appears.

3. Pain relievers

In addition to the symptoms of resilience and itching, chickenpox virus infection can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and fever. Non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) can be used to treat these early symptoms of chickenpox.

This medicine can be obtained without a doctor's prescription, but doctors can also prescribe it especially if the fever persists for more than four days, and the body temperature is above 38.8 ° Celsius.

The drug paracetamol is quite safe to use by everyone, including pregnant women and babies aged 2 months. However, you should consult your doctor before taking this drug.

The American Academy of Pediatrics prohibits giving pain relievers in the form of aspirin and ibuprofen to children. These two pain relievers are at risk of causing Reye's syndrome, which is a disease that attacks the liver and brain with a high risk of death.

4. Calamine lotion

To reduce itching, you can also apply calamine lotion. Calamine lotion is a type of non-prescription topical medicine at pharmacies. The zinc dioxide or zinc carbonate in calamine lotion can relieve itching and soothe inflammation in the skin.

However, calamine lotion is not the main drug for chickenpox, but only as a side treatment. Calamine can help cure chickenpox effectively when combined with the consumption of antiviral drugs and other treatments.

Be careful when using this medication. For maximum results, follow the usage rules recommended by your doctor or that are included on the medicine package.

Do not press too hard on the skin when applying it for fear that the elastic will break. Also, this lotion should not be applied to the eyes, especially on the inside of the mouth.

5. Antihistamine drugs

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are drugs previously used to treat symptoms of allergies or asthma. As a medicine for chickenpox, antihistamines can reduce itching, doctors will usually prescribe this drug when you are really bothered by itching, even to the point of difficulty sleeping.

Antihistamines for chickenpox are usually oral medications such as pills. Most of the early-generation antihistamines, including diphenhydramine, have side effects from sedation that can cause drowsiness and body weakness. Therefore, antihistamines should be taken at night only.

Home remedies to relieve chickenpox symptoms

Along with medical treatment, there are several ways you can also do it at home to help deal with the symptoms of chickenpox.

Here are some ways from the CDC recommendations that can be applied to treat chickenpox at home.

1. Do not scratch the smallpox elastic

The typical symptom of chickenpox is a skin rash in the form of reddish resilience that feels very itchy. Chickenpox resilience can spread to several parts of the body so that the itching will be even more annoying.

Even though you really want to scratch it, you are not encouraged to do it. The reason is, scratching will break the resilience and become a doorway for bacterial infections in the skin. This condition leads to complications of chickenpox.

As a result, the rash spreads to other parts of the body and even causes smallpox scars that are difficult to get rid of. Try to hold on to it as the itching will begin to lessen in 3-4 days. In more than a week, the bouncy that has broken and has become sores will no longer itch.

Moreover, scratching the elastic can also increase the risk of contracting chickenpox. When broken, the resilient liquid containing the virus will evaporate and be carried away by the air. Healthy people who breathe air contaminated with the virus can become infected.

2. Cut your nails and wash your hands diligently

Keeping nails short is a great way to prevent scars from scratching the affected skin. When trimming your nails, make sure that you don't make the tips of your nails taper as there is a risk of irritating your skin.

You also need to keep your hands clean by diligently washing your hands with soap and running water.

3. Wear gloves and soft clothing

While sleeping, you can unconsciously scratch the skin rash. Even though scratching the skin will make the itching feel stronger.

To fix this, use soft socks and gloves while sleeping. Also make sure you are using loose, soft clothing.

Some types of harsh clothing, such as latex or woolen fabrics, can make itching worse. Wearing soft clothing can also keep your body temperature cool so you don't sweat a lot, which can trigger itching on the skin.

4. Bathe with oatmeal

Shower to use oatmeal is one way that is often done to relieve itching when exposed to chickenpox. This method is usually done to treat chicken pox in children.

Oatmeal can be a natural medicine for chickenpox because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The high starch content is also able to increase the moisture of dry skin.

Apart from using seeds oatmeal , You can use the product oatmeal which has been dissolved. Follow this oatmeal bath method to treat chicken pox:

• Take a cup oatmeal .
• Smooth it out oatmeal so that the texture turns into powder.
• put in oatmeal which have been mashed into the bath for soaking.
• Soak or wash the affected skin, leave it for about 20 minutes.
• Rinse with clean water.

5. Bathing with baking soda

Apart from taking a shower oatmeal , You can also use baking soda for the bath mix. Same as oatmeal , baking soda also helps get rid of chickenpox itching. This is because the baking soda is able to neutralize the acids in the skin which will help reduce irritation.

Here's how to treat chicken pox with a baking soda bath:

• Mix about 5-7 tablespoons of baking soda in a bathtub filled with warm water.
• Soak or wash every part of the affected skin and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
• Rinse with clean water.
• You can also compress the itchy skin with a towel soaked in a mixture of water and baking soda.

6. Compress the skin with chamomile tea

Tea chamomile can help soothe areas of skin that are itchy from chickenpox. This herbal tea contains an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which is good for reducing symptoms in chickenpox.

To take advantage of tea chamomile as a natural remedy for chickenpox, try the following methods:

• Dissolve 2-3 teaspoons chamomile in a small basin of warm water.
• Soak a cloth, towel, or cotton ball in the tea solution.
• Apply a towel to the itchy area of ​​the skin and gently pat it on the skin until it dries.

If you still have other questions about the drugs used or the treatments to be performed, please contact your doctor.