Does chickenpox hurt?

Jan 21, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

During the prodromal stage of chickenpox, before the rash appears, patients may experience upper respiratory tract infection symptoms such as chills, low-grade fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and nausea. These symptoms may cause some discomfort, but they do not directly cause pain associated with the chickenpox rash.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin

Generally, chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Whether chickenpox causes pain depends on its specific stage of development. During the prodromal stage of chickenpox, before the rash appears, there is usually no direct pain associated with the rash itself. However, during the eruptive stage, especially after the blisters have ruptured, pain and irritation may be experienced. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. The specific analysis is as follows:

During the prodromal phase of chickenpox, before the rash appears, patients may experience upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, such as chills, low-grade fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and nausea. These symptoms may cause general discomfort but do not directly result in pain from the chickenpox rash.

During the eruptive phase of chickenpox, red macules and papules appear on the skin and rapidly develop into vesicles. These vesicles have a surrounding red halo, thin walls, and are easily ruptured, often accompanied by varying degrees of itching and pain. Particularly after the vesicles rupture, the broken skin makes pain and irritation more noticeable.

Chickenpox patients can use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, calamine lotion, and cefixime tablets under a doctor's guidance. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, avoid spicy or irritating foods, and engage in regular exercise to enhance immune function.