Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are Scabs On Body After Recovering From Chicken Pox Contagious?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I am suffering from Chicken pox and today is the 14th day. Almost all the blisters are now turned into scabs, am I still contagious? Also, As i have scabs on my face and body so can I travel in sun?
I am suffering from Chicken pox and today is the 14th day. Almost all the blisters are now turned into scabs, am I still contagious? Also, As i have scabs on my face and body so can I travel in sun?
Brief Answer:
You are not contagious if blisters are totally scabs;postpone sun exposure.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I have gone through your medical history and the photo you provided and can say as following:
Chicken pox is a contagious viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus. If the blisters have turned all into scabs, then, you are not contagious.
With regards to traveling in sun, I advise to postpone in a few days after the scabs on your face are healed. This will prevent scarring of the skin.
If it is a must to have this travel, try to put a rounded hat in your head. To speed up healing of the scabs, you can use a mixture of raw honey with mashed papaya chunks. Apply on scarred skin,let it dry, then, rinse with cool water.
Hope it answered to your queries. Let me know if you have further questions.
Dr.Sejdini
You are not contagious if blisters are totally scabs;postpone sun exposure.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I have gone through your medical history and the photo you provided and can say as following:
Chicken pox is a contagious viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus. If the blisters have turned all into scabs, then, you are not contagious.
With regards to traveling in sun, I advise to postpone in a few days after the scabs on your face are healed. This will prevent scarring of the skin.
If it is a must to have this travel, try to put a rounded hat in your head. To speed up healing of the scabs, you can use a mixture of raw honey with mashed papaya chunks. Apply on scarred skin,let it dry, then, rinse with cool water.
Hope it answered to your queries. Let me know if you have further questions.
Dr.Sejdini
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks for the reply doctor. All the blisters have turned either into Scabs or something like the one in first pic of the attachment (TypesOfScabs.pdf). It will be helpful if you can let me know if the first pic in the attachment (The one which looks like skin instead of scab) is also a scab or it has already passed the scab stage and is now in healing stage. I have around 5-6 such types of marks.
Also, is there any ointment which I can put on my scabs so that they can fell early?
Also, is there any ointment which I can put on my scabs so that they can fell early?
Brief Answer:
Scab seem dried up; calamine lotion can be applied...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
Usually, we do not recommend to apply anything on the scabs to avoid scarring. The above mentioned mixture of honey with mashed papaya can help. Applying honey alone can also help.
Otherwise, can apply over the counter calamine lotion to speed up recovery.
With regards to the photo, I noted the scab, and if all the other skin affections are similar, then, they are all dried, so you are not contagious, unless the scabs are scratched and contact with blood coming out can be contagious.
Hope it answered to your questions.
Dr.Sejdini
Scab seem dried up; calamine lotion can be applied...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
Usually, we do not recommend to apply anything on the scabs to avoid scarring. The above mentioned mixture of honey with mashed papaya can help. Applying honey alone can also help.
Otherwise, can apply over the counter calamine lotion to speed up recovery.
With regards to the photo, I noted the scab, and if all the other skin affections are similar, then, they are all dried, so you are not contagious, unless the scabs are scratched and contact with blood coming out can be contagious.
Hope it answered to your questions.
Dr.Sejdini
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
