Chickenpox: When To See A Doctor, And When Home Care Is Enough

Chickenpox has a habit of arriving at the worst possible time: the week before a holiday, during exam season, or the night before a family wedding. Your child is spotty, itchy and miserable, the surgery is closed, and you are left wondering whether you need a doctor at all. Most chickenpox in healthy children settles safely at home with simple care, but some situations genuinely need medical advice, and an online GP can assess a rash by video or photo, advise on treatment and sort out prescriptions and fit notes the same day. At The Online GP by The Wellness, consultations are with UK-registered doctors, seven days a week.

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a common childhood illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It starts with a fever and feeling unwell, followed by the classic rash: small red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters, then scab over. New crops of spots keep appearing for several days, so you often see spots, blisters and scabs at the same time. Most healthy children recover within one to two weeks without any medical treatment. Children are contagious from two days before the rash appears until every blister has scabbed over, usually around five to seven days after it starts.

Looking after chickenpox at home

For a well child with typical chickenpox, home care is the right care. Give paracetamol for fever and discomfort, but never ibuprofen or aspirin in chickenpox, because both are linked to complications in this illness. Keep nails short to limit scratching, dress your child in loose cotton clothing, offer plenty of fluids, and use calamine lotion or an antihistamine from the pharmacy for itch. Keep your child off nursery or school until all the spots have scabbed, and away from pregnant women, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system.

When to get medical advice

Book a consultation if the child with chickenpox is a newborn, if you are pregnant and have been exposed, if anyone in the household has a weakened immune system, or if an adult has caught chickenpox, because adults are more likely to develop complications and antiviral treatment can help if started early. Also get advice if your child seems unusually drowsy or unwell, is breathing fast, has a high fever that is not settling, is not drinking, or if the skin around the spots becomes hot, red and increasingly painful, which can signal a secondary skin infection needing antibiotics.

How an online GP can help today

With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day, often within hours. Your doctor can assess the rash by video or from clear photos, advise whether home care is right, prescribe treatment where appropriate, and provide fit notes and school absence letters. For adults and higher-risk patients, antiviral medicine works best started within 24 hours of the rash appearing, which is exactly when a same-day online appointment earns its keep. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Not sure whether you need a doctor? Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.

Treatment your doctor may prescribe

Antihistamines and itch relief. A sedating antihistamine at night can take the edge off the itch and help everyone sleep. Your doctor can advise on the right option and dose for your child's age.

Antiviral tablets. Aciclovir is recommended for adults, teenagers and higher-risk patients when started early, and your doctor will weigh this up for your situation.

Antibiotics for infected spots. If scratching has led to a skin infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics and explain the warning signs that would need a face-to-face review.

What does online chickenpox advice cost?

With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the same short appointment before any prescription costs. Any prescription is sent to a normal pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy's own price for the medicine.

Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness

Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments run seven days a week, evenings included, because childhood illnesses do not keep surgery hours. Prescriptions go straight to your chosen pharmacy, fit notes and letters are sorted in the consultation, and if your child needs to be examined in person, we say so plainly and arrange it at our Marylebone clinic. You can also read about what an online GP can prescribe.

To speak to a doctor today, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Can an online GP diagnose chickenpox?

Yes, usually. The chickenpox rash has a very typical appearance, and a doctor can confirm it by video or from clear photos, then advise on treatment, contagiousness and any warning signs to watch for.

Can I give my child ibuprofen for chickenpox?

No. Ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided in chickenpox because both are linked to complications. Paracetamol is the safe choice for fever and discomfort, alongside calamine lotion and antihistamines for itch.

How long is chickenpox contagious?

From two days before the rash appears until every blister has scabbed over, usually five to seven days after the rash starts. Keep your child off school or nursery until all the spots have scabbed.

Is chickenpox dangerous in adults or pregnancy?

It can be. Adults are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia, and chickenpox in pregnancy needs prompt specialist advice. Antiviral tablets help adults when started within about 24 hours of the rash, so same-day assessment matters.

Can a doctor give me a fit note or school letter for chickenpox?

Yes. Your doctor can provide fit notes and school absence letters as part of the consultation, so you are covered for work and school without a second appointment.

How much does an online chickenpox consultation cost in London?

At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. Any prescription is sent to a local pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy price for the medicine.

This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.