What are the recommended management strategies for a child with uncomplicated chickenpox?

Management strategies for a child with uncomplicated chickenpox include:

• Offer symptomatic treatment such as paracetamol to relieve pain or fever, avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Use topical calamine lotion to alleviate itching.
• Consider chlorphenamine for itch relief in children aged 1 year and above.
• Encourage adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration and monitor for signs of dehydration such as reduced urine output or lethargy.
• Advise parents to keep the child away from school or nursery until all chickenpox vesicles have crusted over to reduce transmission.
• Advise on avoiding contact with vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and infants under 4 weeks during the infectious period.
• Inform parents to seek urgent medical advice if the child’s condition deteriorates or if complications such as bacterial superinfection (indicated by sudden high fever, redness, and tenderness around lesions) or dehydration develop.
• Hospital admission and antiviral treatment (aciclovir) are not routinely recommended for otherwise healthy children with uncomplicated chickenpox.

These measures are based on expert opinion and good clinical practice as outlined in UK guidelines.