Essential Items for Your Chickenpox Care Kit: A Complete Guide for UK Parents [2026]

My colleague's three-year-old came down with chickenpox last November, right in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. By 6pm, she was frantically texting me: "What do I actually buy?" And honestly, despite having tested dozens of health products over the years, I had to think about it. Chickenpox arrives without much warning, and when you're staring at a spotty, uncomfortable child, the last thing you want is a panicked dash to Boots at 8pm.

That experience got me thinking. If someone who reviews products for a living had to pause and consider, what chance do regular parents have? So I've put together this guide to building a chickenpox care kit—one you can assemble before it strikes or quickly pull together when those first telltale spots appear.

Here's the verdict after speaking with pharmacists, parents, and examining the evidence: having the right products ready makes an enormous difference to how your child (and you) cope with the 7-10 days ahead.

Understanding What You're Dealing With

Before we get into the kit itself, a quick reality check. Chickenpox isn't just "a few spots and some itching"—though that's how I remembered it from my own childhood. The reality is rather more demanding: your child will likely develop 200-500 spots (yes, really), experience fever, tiredness, and that infamous itch that makes nights particularly miserable.

The good news? For most healthy children, chickenpox resolves within 1-2 weeks without needing to see a GP. The NHS confirms that symptomatic treatment at home is usually all that's required. But "symptomatic treatment" sounds rather clinical when your toddler is crying at 2am because they can't stop scratching.

And speaking of 2026—a significant change has arrived. From January this year, the NHS is offering the chickenpox vaccine as part of routine childhood immunisations. The MMRV vaccine (covering measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) is now offered at 12 and 18 months. But if your child is older and hasn't been vaccinated, or they caught it before their jab, you'll still need to know how to manage it. So let's build that kit.

1. ViraSoothe Cooling Gel: The Modern Itch Reliever

After testing several chickenpox treatments, I'll be honest—ViraSoothe has earned its position as the number one selling chickenpox range in the UK. And frankly, having examined the alternatives, I understand why.

The gel contains OSMO Care, a patented technology that's been clinically proven to cool the skin and reduce itching. Unlike traditional calamine lotion (which we'll get to), ViraSoothe doesn't dry out the skin. This matters more than you might think—dried skin itches more, which defeats the entire purpose.

What I found: The gel applies smoothly, absorbs quickly, and parents consistently report it works faster than calamine. One review described it as "as close to a miracle cure for chickenpox as you can get," which might be slight hyperbole, but captures the sentiment. The spray gel version is particularly useful for reaching those awkward spots on backs.

The downside? Price. At around £5.73 for 50g or £8.43 for 75g, ViraSoothe costs significantly more than a bottle of calamine lotion. For a child covered in hundreds of spots, you might go through the whole tube. Is it worth it? In my assessment, yes—but I'll acknowledge that's easier for me to say than for families watching every penny.

Age suitability: From 6 months onwards, making it appropriate for most children who catch chickenpox.

2. Calamine Lotion: The Traditional Backup

I know, I just praised ViraSoothe. But here's the thing: calamine lotion has been treating itchy skin for generations, it's cheap (under £3), and it works. The dermatologist Dr Sarah Wakelin notes that "calamine offers a momentary cooling effect as the liquid evaporates from the skin."

The criticism you'll hear is that calamine dries the skin. That's true. But for some spots—particularly weepy ones—that drying action can actually be helpful. My approach would be to use ViraSoothe as your primary treatment but keep calamine as a backup, especially for areas where you want quicker drying.

Application tip: Dab it on with cotton wool rather than rubbing. Your child's skin is irritated enough without adding friction.

3. Paracetamol (Not Ibuprofen)

This is crucial, so I'm putting it in bold: Do not give ibuprofen to a child with chickenpox unless specifically advised by a doctor. NHS guidance is clear on this—there's a possible link between ibuprofen use during chickenpox and invasive streptococcal infection, a serious complication.

Calpol or other paracetamol-based products are your friends here. They'll help with fever and the general achiness that accompanies chickenpox. Check you have the age-appropriate strength and that it's in date—nothing worse than discovering at midnight that your medicine cabinet contains only adult tablets.

Also avoid aspirin entirely in children under 16 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

4. Antihistamines: The Sleep Saver

If your child is over one year old, an antihistamine like Piriton (chlorphenamine) can be genuinely transformative. It helps reduce itching and—here's the key benefit—it causes drowsiness. For a child who can't sleep because they're scratching constantly, that drowsiness becomes a feature, not a bug.

Piriton Syrup is suitable from 1 year+, while the tablets are for children 6 and over. Always check dosage with your pharmacist, especially for younger children. And yes, you can use antihistamines alongside topical treatments like ViraSoothe—they work differently.

I'll admit I was sceptical about antihistamines for chickenpox until I spoke to a paediatric nurse who described them as "the difference between a bearable week and an exhausting one." That convinced me.

5. Oat Bath Products or Porridge Oats

Call me old-fashioned, but sometimes the traditional remedies genuinely work. An oat bath is one of them.

You have two options. First, buy a proper colloidal oatmeal bath product—Aveeno makes excellent ones. Second, and this is the method my grandmother swore by, put a handful of regular porridge oats in a muslin bag or old sock, tie it closed, and hold it under the running bath tap. The milky water that results is genuinely soothing on irritated skin.

The NHS specifically recommends oat baths for chickenpox relief. Run the bath lukewarm—not hot, as heat increases itching—and let your child soak for 15-20 minutes.

Pro tip: After the bath, pat skin dry rather than rubbing. This sounds minor but makes a real difference when every square inch of your child's skin is covered in sensitive spots.

6. Soft Cotton Mittens and Socks

Here's what nobody tells you about chickenpox: the real battle isn't the daytime itching—it's the unconscious scratching that happens while your child sleeps. And scratching chickenpox spots isn't just uncomfortable; it can lead to bacterial infection and scarring.

Cotton mittens for babies and soft socks for older children (pulled over their hands at night) create a barrier between fingernails and skin. It's not foolproof—determined scratchers find ways—but it helps.

Keep fingernails trimmed short too. A nail file works better than clippers for achieving that smooth edge that won't catch on spots.

7. Loose, Cotton Clothing

Synthetic fabrics and tight clothing are your enemies during chickenpox. They trap heat, increase sweating, and rub against spots. Instead, dress your child in loose-fitting cotton—old T-shirts and soft pyjamas are ideal.

I know this seems obvious, but in the chaos of managing a poorly child, it's easy to reach for whatever's clean rather than whatever's appropriate. Pull out the softest items you own, wash them so they're ready, and accept that for the next week or two, fashion is not a priority.

8. Plenty of Fluids (Including Ice Lollies)

Chickenpox often causes fever, which means your child needs extra fluids. But here's the challenge: chickenpox can appear inside the mouth, making swallowing painful.

This is where ice lollies become medicinal rather than treats. The cold soothes mouth sores whilst providing hydration. If your child is refusing drinks, offer ice lollies, jelly, or fruit ice cups. You can even freeze diluted fruit juice in ice cube trays.

Keep water, squash, and juice readily available. The last thing you want during chickenpox is a secondary issue with dehydration.

9. Gentle Antiseptic Products

While chickenpox spots themselves aren't infected, they can become infected if scratched open and bacteria get in. Having a gentle antiseptic on hand means you can clean any spots that look angry or weepy.

Look for products suitable for children's skin—harsh antiseptics will sting and make your child even more reluctant to let you near them. Sudocrem can work for this purpose, though it's not specifically designed for chickenpox.

Watch for signs of infected spots: increased redness spreading beyond the spot, pus, warmth, or your child seeming more unwell than expected. These warrant a GP call.

10. Entertainment and Distraction

This isn't a medical product, but honestly? Distraction is one of the most effective tools in your chickenpox arsenal. A child focused on CBeebies or a new audiobook is a child not thinking about how itchy they feel.

Stock up on colouring books, puzzle apps, or whatever screen-based entertainment you're comfortable with. Accept that normal rules about tablet time may need relaxing for a week. Your child is ill, you're sleep-deprived, and survival mode is perfectly acceptable parenting.

I spoke to one mother who described chickenpox week as "the week I stopped feeling guilty about Peppa Pig." There's wisdom in that.

Building Your Kit: Where to Buy

The good news is that all these items are available from major UK supermarkets and pharmacies. ViraSoothe is stocked at Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA, and most independent pharmacies. You can use Grocefully to compare prices across retailers and find the best deals on children's health products.

If you want to prepare in advance (which I'd recommend—chickenpox is extremely common), you could assemble a basic kit for under £25:

• ViraSoothe gel 75g: approximately £8-9
• Calamine lotion: approximately £3
• Calpol: approximately £5-6
• Piriton syrup: approximately £5
• Cotton mittens/socks: approximately £3-4

Add oats from your kitchen cupboard and some ice lollies from the freezer, and you're prepared.

What Not to Use

Just as important as knowing what to buy is knowing what to avoid:

Ibuprofen: As mentioned, avoid unless directed by a doctor due to infection risks.

Aspirin: Never give to under-16s due to Reye's syndrome risk.

Lavender or tea tree oil undiluted: Essential oils can irritate broken skin. If you want to use them, add a few drops to bath water rather than applying directly.

Tight plasters: Don't cover spots with plasters unless specifically advised. Spots need air to dry and heal.

Anti-itch products with local anaesthetics: Some products contain benzocaine or similar. While effective, they can cause sensitisation. Stick to the products mentioned above for children.

When to Seek Medical Help

Most chickenpox cases don't need a GP. But you should seek advice if:

• Your child is under 3 months old
• They have a weakened immune system
• Spots become infected (red, hot, weepy)
• Your child has breathing difficulties or chest pain
• They're becoming dehydrated (not weeing, very drowsy)
• They seem much more unwell than expected
• A pregnant woman or newborn has been exposed

NHS 111 can provide guidance if you're unsure whether to see a doctor. When calling, mention chickenpox upfront so they can ensure any in-person appointment doesn't expose vulnerable patients.

The Week-by-Week Reality

Days 1-2: Spots appear, often starting on the chest, face, or scalp. Your child may have had a fever or felt unwell before spots appeared. This is when you'll be reaching for the paracetamol and starting topical treatments.

Days 3-5: Peak spot activity. New spots appear whilst earlier ones progress through fluid-filled to crusty stages. This is the most uncomfortable period. Heavy use of ViraSoothe, oat baths, and antihistamines at night.

Days 6-10: Spots crust over. Once all spots have crusted (usually by day 5 after first spots appeared), your child is no longer contagious. They can return to school or nursery, though they may still feel tired.

Weeks 2-4: Scabs fall off naturally. Don't pick at them—this increases scarring risk. Continue gentle skin care.

Looking Ahead: The Vaccine Option

As I mentioned, 2026 marks a significant change with the NHS chickenpox vaccination programme. If you have a child who hasn't yet had chickenpox or the vaccine, it's worth discussing with your GP. Children born between September 2022 and June 2024 will be offered catch-up doses.

The vaccine isn't 100% effective—some vaccinated children will still catch chickenpox—but cases are typically much milder with fewer spots and less itching.

For now, though, many children will still experience chickenpox. Having a well-stocked care kit makes those 10 days manageable rather than miserable. And honestly, after helping my colleague through her daughter's bout last autumn, I can confirm: being prepared transforms the experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does chickenpox last?

Chickenpox typically lasts 1-2 weeks in most healthy children. New spots appear for the first 3-5 days, then all spots gradually crust over. Your child is considered recovered (and no longer contagious) once all spots have formed scabs, usually 5-7 days after the first spots appeared. Full skin healing may take 2-4 weeks.

How do you stop chickenpox itching?

The most effective approaches combine several methods: apply cooling gel like ViraSoothe directly to spots, give oral antihistamines (Piriton) for children over 1 year, use lukewarm oat baths, keep the room cool, and dress your child in loose cotton clothing. Keeping fingernails short and using mittens at night prevents scratching damage. Avoid hot baths or showers as heat increases itching.

When is chickenpox contagious?

Chickenpox is contagious from 1-2 days before the rash appears until all spots have crusted over, which is usually 5 days after spots first appear. This is why chickenpox spreads so easily in schools and nurseries—children are infectious before anyone knows they have it. Keep your child away from pregnant women, newborns, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

What cream is best for chickenpox?

ViraSoothe is the UK's best-selling chickenpox treatment and is clinically proven to cool skin and reduce itching without drying. Calamine lotion is a cheaper traditional option that also provides relief but can dry the skin. For infected spots, gentle antiseptic creams may be needed. Avoid hydrocortisone creams unless specifically recommended by a pharmacist or doctor.

Can you use Sudocrem on chickenpox?

Sudocrem can be used on chickenpox spots, particularly those that have been scratched or look at risk of infection, as it contains antiseptic properties. However, it's not specifically designed for chickenpox relief and doesn't provide the cooling action of products like ViraSoothe. Many parents find it useful as a secondary product rather than the main treatment.

How long is chickenpox contagious?

The contagious period lasts from about 2 days before spots appear until all blisters have crusted over—typically 5-7 days total from when spots first show. Children must stay off school or nursery until all spots have scabbed, which NHS guidance confirms is usually 5 days after spots appeared. The virus spreads through direct contact with spots and through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Is oat bath good for chickenpox?

Yes, oat baths are recommended by the NHS for chickenpox relief. Colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oats) has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritated skin. You can buy commercial oatmeal bath products or simply put porridge oats in a muslin cloth and hold under the running tap. Use lukewarm water, let your child soak for 15-20 minutes, and pat skin dry afterwards.

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Tom Hartley is Grocefully's Product Reviewer. After testing this kit during his colleague's chickenpox emergency, he's convinced every parent should have these essentials ready. His desk currently has three tubes of ViraSoothe lined up from his research.