Bathing with Chickenpox
Yes, a teenager with new onset chickenpox can take a bath—in fact, lukewarm baths are specifically recommended to relieve itching and provide symptomatic relief. 1
Bathing Guidelines
Lukewarm baths with colloidal oatmeal are recommended by the CDC to relieve itching in children and adolescents with chickenpox 1
Normal bathing can continue throughout the illness, though the lesions should be kept relatively dry between baths 2
After bathing, the skin should be blotted dry gently with gauze or a clean towel rather than rubbed, to avoid disrupting the lesions 2
If a towel is used to dry areas with lesions, that towel should not be used on other parts of the body to prevent viral spread 2
Alternatively, lesions can be allowed to air dry before dressing 2
Important Precautions During Bathing
Avoid touching the lesions during washing to prevent autoinoculation (spreading virus to other body areas) 2
Thorough hand hygiene with soap and water is critical after any contact with lesions or after bathing 2
No salves, creams, or ointments should be applied to the lesions after bathing 2
Contaminated towels and clothing should be laundered in hot water with bleach to decontaminate them 2
Isolation and Contagiousness
The teenager remains contagious from 1-2 days before rash onset until all lesions are crusted (typically 4-7 days after rash onset) 2
Keep the teenager isolated from susceptible contacts, particularly immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, until all lesions have crusted 1
Varicella has a 90% secondary attack rate among susceptible household contacts, making isolation within the home important if unvaccinated family members are present 3
When to Consider Medical Treatment
Antiviral therapy with acyclovir is most effective when started within 24 hours of rash onset in immunocompetent adolescents, though benefit may still occur if started within 48 hours 4, 5
Adolescents have more severe disease than younger children and should be considered for acyclovir treatment, particularly if presenting early 5
Watch for bacterial superinfection of lesions (increased redness, warmth, purulent drainage), which is the most common complication requiring antibiotic therapy 3, 6