Chicken Pox in Babies: Symptoms, Rash & What to Expect

Chicken pox is a once common illness that causes an itchy rash to appear. Most children today do not catch the chicken pox due to childhood vaccines limiting its spread. For those who are not immune, however, chicken pox is a mild yet highly contagious disease that can cause a slight fever and last for several days.

Chicken Pox Rash

• Chicken pox causes a red, itchy rash that can spread across the entire body. It resembles small pimples or insect bites with raised bumps filled with clear and cloudy white fluid. The bumps can break open and cause a crust to form.

Fever

• Child with thermometer

  Chicken pox can cause a mild fever to appear one or two days before the rash appears. This fever ranges from 100°--102° F (37.7°--38.8° C), though it can sometimes go higher.

Discomfort

• Sick child

  Chicken pox can also be accompanied with mild discomfort, slight headache and loss of appetite. Some children may experience stomach pain and a dry cough.