Ointment for chickenpox, what will most effectively get rid of itching?

Chicken pox doesn't just cause a rash in the form of red spots on the skin. As long as the rash appears and spreads to other parts of the body, apart from feeling unwell or dizzy, you may be very disturbed by intense itching from the rash all over your body. Topical medications such as ointments or lotions can be used to help reduce the itching caused by chickenpox.

The development of chickenpox

Every symptom of chickenpox that arises comes from damage to the virus cells that cause this disease, namely varicella-zoster (VZV), or the body's response to infection with the pathogen. Including the symptoms of chickenpox rash accompanied by itching.

The viral infection that causes chickenpox starts from the deepest layer of skin tissue (dermis) and continues until it reaches the outermost layer of the skin.

In the book Chicken Pox (Deadly Diseases and Epidemics) , explained that the contact between infected cells and one of the cells of the body's immune system, namely T cells near blood vessels, triggers swelling in the skin.

In this condition an itchy skin rash begins to appear. Until finally the skin cells form resilience with a fluid filled with virus cells, which makes the itching feel stronger.

Along with the immune system's constant resistance to viral infection, the symptoms of chickenpox will subside. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of chickenpox will completely disappear within 4-7 days.

A combination of the drug acyclovir and ointment to treat chickenpox

Antiviral drugs are the mainstay of inhibiting the varicella-zoster virus infection process which causes damage to healthy cells in the body. Acyclovir is the type of antiviral most commonly used to treat chickenpox.

As an antiviral, acyclovir does not stop the infection directly. This drug works to inhibit the rate of the virus to multiply. When acyclovir enters the DNA of viral cells, it will be difficult for the virus to develop itself so it will stop replicating. This drug has also been shown to be effective against the herpes-simplex virus (HSV).

For the treatment of chickenpox under a doctor's supervision, acyclovir pills usually have to be taken 2-5 times a day. However, this drug's ability to fight varicella-zoster virus infection is only effective within 24 hours of use since the first chickenpox rash appeared. The drug acyclovir shows good results when given to patients with weak immune conditions.

If taken regularly, this drug can reduce the amount of resilience that is already present while reducing the appearance of new skin rashes. In addition, this drug also helps treat various other accompanying symptoms, such as reducing fever due to viral infection.

Oral acyclovir (oral drug) is the main antiviral choice in dealing with chickenpox. However, the treatment of chickenpox is usually done in the form of combination therapy.

Acyclovir itself belongs to a class of antiviral drugs that are available in the form of capsules, tablets, creams and ointments. Antiviral drugs in pill form that are taken by mouth are commonly given together with chickenpox medicine in the form of an ointment that is applied to the elastic.

A combination treatment for chickenpox through oral antiviral drugs or topical ointments can help relieve the severity of the symptoms. That way, you can recover faster and reduce the potential for spreading chickenpox to other people.

Is it effective?

Acyclovir ointment is actually more commonly used to treat symptoms of herpes-simplex disease, not chickenpox. The use of acyclovir ointment has no significant effect on curing chickenpox.

This is as described in the book Antiviral therapy of varicella-zoster virus infection. S alep containing 5 percent acyclovir does not work effectively to inhibit VZV virus infection in the outer layer of skin, but works the other way around when dealing with HSV infection that attacks mucous membranes.

Side effects of ointments for chickenpox

If used excessively or do not follow the doctor's instructions, ointments for chickenpox can have side effects in the form of allergic reactions, such as:

a red, burning rash on the skin
strong itching sensation
swelling of the skin
blistered skin
a feeling of tightness in the throat
difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking
swelling in the mouth and around the face

Not an ointment, calamine lotion is more effective at treating chickenpox itching

Acyclovir ointment is not very popularly used to treat chickenpox. In fact, it is the medicinal version that plays the biggest role in curing the disease faster.

Topical treatment for chickenpox itself is actually more common using calamine lotion. Calamine lotion does not immediately stop the infection and kill the virus. An old study in the journal Archives of Diseases in Childhood in 2006 states, there has not been a single study that has succeeded in proving the effect of calamine lotion to cure chickenpox.

However, the use of this topical drug is more intended as a supportive treatment. The CDC as the food and drug regulatory agency in the United States mentions the use of lotions calamine in combination with oral antiviral medications and home remedies such as warm baths or oatmeal baths and baking soda may help reduce the itching from chickenpox.

This lotion contains zinc dioxide or zinc carbonate, which can reduce itching and reduce inflammation in the skin. You can get calamine lotion at pharmacies or supermarkets without a doctor's prescription.

How to use the lotion

To obtain more effective and maximum results, the use of this drug should be adjusted according to medical advice. Make sure you follow the rules of use recommended by your doctor.

Especially when the ointment is used to treat chickenpox in children. You need to ask your doctor about the amount of dosage that is safe for your child.

Be careful when applying this medication, do not press too hard on the skin for fear that the elastic will break. In addition, this ointment of chickenpox should not be applied to the eyes because it can burn the skin around it.

Although symptoms such as resilience can appear on the mucous membranes in the mouth, it is not recommended that you apply this calamine lotion to webbed parts of the body.

If the itching doesn't go away, the doctor will usually give you an antihistamine pill that can be used simultaneously with this chickenpox medicine.