Chickenpox
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Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious viral disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus (VZV), which belongs to the Herpesviridae family. It most commonly occurs in childhood but can also affect adolescents and adults, in whom the course of the disease may be more severe. Infection occurs through airborne droplets and direct contact with the contents of skin vesicles. The disease is characterized by a generalized vesicular rash, fever, and general symptoms. After chickenpox, the virus remains in the body in a latent state and can reactivate as shingles. In most cases, chickenpox has a self-limiting course, but in some patients, it can lead to complications and permanent skin consequences, including scars.
Chickenpox – what it looks like
The clinical picture of chickenpox is characteristic and evolves in stages. The rash appears as skin lesions in various stages of development, which is a distinguishing feature of the disease.
Typical skin lesions:
- Erythematous spots (initial stage),
- Inflammatory papules,
- Vesicles filled with clear serous fluid,
- Pustules,
- Crusts.
The lesions appear in crops, mainly on:
- the trunk,
- the face and the hairy scalp,
- the mucous membranes of the mouth,
- less frequently on the limbs.
The rash is accompanied by intense itching, which encourages scratching of the lesions. Damage to the basal layer of the epidermis and secondary bacterial infections significantly increase the risk of scarring.
Chickenpox - how long does it last?
The duration of chickenpox varies, but several characteristic phases of the disease can be distinguished:
- incubation period: 10–21 days (most commonly 14–16 days),
- prodromal phase (1–2 days): malaise, fever, headaches, lack of appetite,
- rash period: 4–7 days,
- healing of lesions: up to 14 days.
The total duration of the disease is usually 10–14 days, although skin traces in the form of discoloration or scars may persist much longer. The patient remains infectious from 1–2 days before the rash appears until all lesions have dried up.
Smallpox – Treatment
Treatment of chickenpox is mostly symptomatic, aiming to relieve discomfort and prevent complications.
The management includes:
- Reducing fever (excluding preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid),
- Alleviating skin itching,
- Maintaining skin hygiene and short nails,
- Preventing bacterial superinfections of lesions.
In selected groups of patients (adults, immunocompromised patients, severe cases of the disease), antiviral treatment is considered, implemented in the early phase of infection.
Improper skin care, scratching of lesions, or delayed treatment of superinfections increase the risk of permanent post-acne and atrophic scars.
Chickenpox – Course of the Disease
The course of chickenpox is usually mild in children, while adults and pregnant women more frequently experience complications. The most significant ones include:
- secondary bacterial skin infections,
- pneumonia,
- inflammation of the brain or cerebellum,
- neurological disorders,
- permanent skin changes.
Factors increasing the risk of severe progression:
- age over 18,
- chronic diseases,
- immunosuppression,
- pregnancy.
Scars from chickenpox are a consequence of deep damage to the dermis and most often take the form of atrophic scars, particularly on the face.
Treatments for chickenpox scar removal
Scars from chickenpox pose an aesthetic and dermatological problem. Modern aesthetic medicine offers procedures with documented clinical efficacy aimed at remodeling the skin and improving its structure.
Commonly used methods:
- fractional laser therapy
- induces controlled micro-damage,
- stimulates neocollagenesis,
- improves skin smoothness and tension,
- microneedle radiofrequency
- works within the dermis,
- densifies skin structure,
- reduces atrophic scars,
- microneedle mesotherapy
- stimulates regenerative processes,
- improves skin quality and elasticity,
- medical peels
- even out the epidermal surface,
- reduce minor irregularities.
The selection of the method depends on the depth, location, and age of the scars, and therapy usually requires a series of treatments to achieve optimal clinical results.
