Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots ‘can make someone very ill’

Chickenpox is common, mostly affecting children, and it usually gets better by itself within a week without help from a GP.

Symptoms before or after the spots can include a high temperature above 38C, aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell, and loss of appetite.

Reaching for the medicine cupboard for anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen may seem like your first port of call to calm down spots and relieve itching.

But giving children with chickenpox ibuprofen puts them at increased risk of a deadly, flesh-eating disease, according to a leading pharmacist.

Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots 'can make someone very ill' GETTY

Chickenpox warning: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots ‘can make someone very ill’

You should think twice before administering ibuprofen


Necrotising fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection that rots tissue underneath the skin and surrounding muscles and organs.

It can be life-threatening if it’s not recognised and dealt with in the early stages, turning small wounds into horrifying open sores.

And while the mechanisms are still not yet fully understood, giving ibuprofen to those suffering chickenpox – particularly children – means they’re at an elevated risk of contracting the condition, says one pharmacist.

Shamir Patel, director of online pharmacy Chemist-4-U.com says that while scientists have long known about the dangers, many parents are still unaware of the advice.

He’s now speaking out, as we approach peak chickenpox season, to highlight the potential side-effects.

Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots 'can make someone very ill' GETTY

Chickenpox warning: Symptoms can include a high temperature and a loss of appetite

Mr Patel explains: “When our children are poorly, many of us instantly reach for the liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen.

“But in the case of chickenpox, you should think twice before administering ibuprofen. And in my view there are many in the UK who are simply unaware of the threat.”

Ibuprofen is a drug that reduces inflammation by interrupting the normal chemical reactions that happen in the body during an infection, illness or injury.

Mr Patel adds: “The knock-on effect of this is that it helps reduce pain and high temperature.

“But there’s also another side effect, albeit one that’s thankfully rare.

Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots 'can make someone very ill' GETTY

Chickenpox warning: Ibuprofen puts children at increased risk of necrotising fasciitis

“While more research is needed, and the precise reasons remain unknown at this point, studies have shown that using ibuprofen in the case of chickenpox may lead to an increased risk of a condition called necrotising fasciitis – a really horrible bacterial infection with a mortality rate said to be around 25 per cent.

“It’s likely that in reducing inflammation, ibuprofen also reduces the body’s ability to fight infections on the skin, allowing bacteria to infiltrate this vulnerability.

“Ibuprofen may also mask the signs of serious infection.

“My advice would be that if you absolutely have to use ibuprofen to treat a child with chickenpox, do so sparingly and only at the height of a fever.”

Chickenpox is characterised by an itchy bumpy rash and fever. It will usually resolve itself without the need for medical intervention.

Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots 'can make someone very ill' GETTY

Chickenpox warning: Mr Patel suggests using cooling gels to relieve symptoms

Chemist 4 U’s Mr Patel adds: “In lieu of ibuprofen, there are cooling gels which help to relieve symptoms of the infection.

“When you protect the skin’s environment, you allow it to heal naturally. This can also reduce long-term scarring.”

Chickenpox vaccination is not part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme but it is available privately.

The NHS Choices website also advises against using ibuprofen in cases of chickenpox.

It states: “Don’t use ibuprofen – it can make someone with chickenpox very ill.”

A baby boy in 2016 almost died after a bout of chickenpox turned into a horrific and flesh-eating infection which left gaping wounds in his neck.