Suggest treatment for severe chickenpox
Patient: I m turning 19 this year and having severe chickenpox. I have blisters all over my body, including in the mouth and throat, also on my eyelids. I don t know what foods are essential in this condition. I also wonder if I can have rice. If I can t, can you give me examples of foods I can consume that won t aggravate the itchiness or cause irritation and inflammation? Thank you. Doctor: Hello,Welcome to HCM,Chickenpox is a viral disease which is transmitted by droplet infection and droplet nuclei. You can acquire this disease if you are exposed to a person having active infection.As you mentioned in your history that you are having a wide spreading white pencil-eraser sized rashes in your genital area including the penile head.The chickenpox can affect all parts of the body from head to toe including genitals.It is highly communicable 1-2 days before the appearance of rash and 4-5 days thereafter. After which virus tends to die out and looses the capacity to transmit disease to normal individuals.Chicken pox is a self limiting disease which will subside by itself. Antiviral drugs like valacyclovir can be taken, it will not cure the condition but it will halt the progression of disease and prevent further complication associated with the disease.Topical application of calamine lotion will dry up the rashes. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen can be taken to control the pain associated with the disease.Thank you.