Chickenpox is one of such diseases which make some traces not only on your body but also on your skin and your self-esteem. Where the fever, fatigue and rash eventually leave people, the effects on the skin stay behind. Leaving scars, dark spots, dry patches and over all the feeling that their skin does no longer feel or look the same.
Anyone who is in the process of recovering or assisting someone to go through the process of healing, can utilize the information below since it is very important to know how to care for the skin once a bout of chickenpox is over.
This paper will guide you on what occurs to the skin even after chickenpox. The importance of skin care during the week preceding after you are cured and how you can easily develop a non-invasive skincare regime helps gain the natural power and radiance that you had before the pox.
Figuring Out Post-Chickenpox Skin: What Is Really Happening
When the active infection resolves and the dried-up blisters come off, you go in a healing phase of your skin. Although it is tempting to think that you have passed the worst stage, post-inflammatory flares are probably the most active stages where your skin is trying the hardest to heal you.
It is also at this stage that skin regenerates and new tissue grows repaired. Nevertheless, the recovery process may differ depending on the way the disease was handled. It also depends on how skins were treated before and after the breakout.
Red or brown spots, dryness, itchiness, sensitivity to sunlight and shallow pits or scars are the most common post-chicken pox concerns. Unless treated, these scars may extend to months and even weeks. This is why getting to know your skin’s state and the way it reacts during this healing period is recommended. One should follow so as to take care of it in the right way.
The Importance of Skin Care Following Chicken Pox
Skin care following the chicken pox is not all about skin beauty but a matter of restoring skin defense mechanism. In case of the healing of blisters, the skin may be thin, dry, and susceptible to the environments impact. Otherwise, this may result in the more permanent pigmentation, drying (dehydration), and scarring. To children and teenagers, this may even affect their confidence and their social ease of mind.
Besides, the lack of proper care, sun exposure, using cruel products can slow healing or increase the scarred tissue look. In sensitively caring about your skin and promoting its recovery process, you do not simply benefit your skin immediately by improving its appearance, but you also enable the skin to repair itself more efficiently and internally.
After Chicken Pox Skin Care
This is the best part of healing because the skin is not infected anymore but yet, much too delicate. The following are ten skin care behaviors which you can adopt to facilitate healing and minimize the possibility of long term marks and scars.
1. Gentle Cleaning Is Necessary
Once chickenpox is over, your skin becomes very much vulnerable even to the simplest hygiene practices. Hot water combined with soaps that are too harsh can wash out the remaining natural oils. This can also interfere with the skins healing process.
Rather, replace it with a non-fragranced, non-irritating cleanser which is suitable to sensitive skin. Wash your face or other areas with warm water and do not brush the skin so strongly. Do not drag or press the skin dry, pat the skin on a soft towel helping improve new skin layers.
This step is easy to make but forms the basis to what appears later. It is also important to keep the skin clean without irritating it at the same time.
2. Make The Skin Moisturized And Hydrated
One of the key aspects of your after-chickenpox is to moisturize. The healing skin is becoming dry, flaking and aggravating. Particularly when parts of the scabs fall off and new layers develop. Using moisturizing cream at least twice daily to keep moisture and avoid cracking and itching is advisable.
Seek hydrating moisturizers that lack artificial fragrance or alcohol. Likewise, have other goods such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides or shea butter. These are ingredients that aid in the restoration of skin barrier and hydration that keep moisture in. In the long-term perspective, the properly moisturized skin has better chances to recover without any deep scars or post-condition discolorations.
3. Sun Protection Is Mandatory
Exposure to the sun is one of the main causes which may make post-chickenpox marks darker and scarring even worse. Healing skin is also highly photosensitive compared to normal skin. Thus, only slight exposure to the sun may lead to its pigmentation as well as result in months of pigmentation before it disappears.
You need to get into the habit of using a high SPF 30 and above sunscreen anytime of the day. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, it doesn’t matter! Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide mineral sunscreens are particularly sensitive sunscreens and those that can be used on sensitive skin. Also, cover the skin with hats or scarves or any light clothing material to protect it against the sun. This creates an added touch to protecting your skin in the process of recovering.
4. Do Not Poke Or Scratch Scabs
Scratching of healing skin or picking of scabs is one of the most common causes of the scarring that arises as an outcome of chickenpox. It may be very tempting particularly where the area continues to itch, premature removal of scabs halts the natural healing. This may even results to deeper and apparent unsightly scars.
Soothing lotions such as calamine or aloe vera gel will help stop itching. Trimming fingernails short and application of cotton gloves at night in the case of children may help as they will tend to be scratching unconsciously. It may take patience to teach youngsters that they should not pick scabs. But this is amongst the best things that you can teach them to safeguard their skin in the long term.
5. Dark Spots And Excessive Skin Tone Treatment
As the skin is not open or peeling anymore and the scabs have disappeared, one may start treating any remaining scars or dark areas. They are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and they are rather frequent after chickenpox, especially when occurring on the face, back or chest.
Light therapies such as vitamin C serums and niacinamide creams and alpha arbutin are effective to lighten the skin tone and decrease discoloration over time. The ingredients do this by cooling down the inflammation and retarding production of excessive pigment. Start with feathered applications, twice or thrice a week and never fail to use a sunscreen with the treatment to avoid getting more pigmentation.
6. Nourish Your Body Inside And Out
It is somehow a mirror of your health that is inside and what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your skin. You need a healthy diet with a lot of nutrients that would accelerate skin regeneration and minimize long-term marks.
Lay emphasis on foods rich in protein such as lentils, eggs and lean meats that aid in tissue regeneration. Add foods that contain lots of vitamin C such as oranges, guava, and kiwi fruits to enhance collagen formation. Cell repair also depends on zinc containing foods like pumpkin seeds and yogurt. Hydration in the skin is retained by drinking an adequate amount of water a day as well as assisting the detoxification processes in healing.
7. Some Optional Natural Remedies
There are also some natural solutions that may be of help but should be used only when the skin is already healed and closed. One can use such products as aloe vera gel that might assist in reducing remaining blotches, whereas rosehip oil has a scar-fading capacity, as it contains high levels of vitamin A and C. Raw especially manuka honey is antibacterial and skin repairing and it can be applied as a light mask.
Natural cures should always be patch-tested first, even under a state of emergency, of course. What is best for me might not be the same as it is to you so listen to your skin and take it easy.
Things To Avoid During Skin Healing
There are some habits and products that in the course of recovery can reduce the speed of your recovery or more likely reverse some of your restoration. Physical scrubs or harsh abrasive tools do not need to be used to scrub your skin. Avoid chemicals peels, high chemical acids or alcohol containing products until your skin is back to normal. Any makeup, in particular full coverage foundations or concealers can cause irritation or clog healing pores. In this period, allow your skin to breathe as much as you can.
When To See A Dermatologist
Most of the marks caused by chickenpox can be decreased in the future with correct treatment but some of the scars become permanent or in the home based cases, treatment becomes difficult. In case you see deep holes, red stains that get worse and marks, which do not disappear after a couple of months, it is a good idea to visit a dermatologist.
Through professional assistance, they will be able to provide you with such a procedure as microneedling, laser treatment, prescription creams, or chemical peels depending on the type of skin and its needs. Dermatologist is also able to help in the elimination of some infections or post-viral skin conditions requiring medical treatment.
Conclusion
Recovering chickenpox is a long process. Although you would like your skin to get back to normal immediately, the reality is it is a long procedure. The secret here is to be consistent, gentle and kind to your skin all through. The majority of the marks will go away with proper care and your skin will gain its strength and the signs of the disease will slowly indulge.
Finally, and above all, keep in mind that scars are not indicators of weakness but indicators of healing. You have experienced something and emerged on the other side of your skin. Feed it, nurture, and care but not judge so that it heals. We are now confident that you are now aware on the after chicken pox skin care.
