Irish pharmacy issues reminder not to use this medication if your child has chickenpox

Don't make this mistake.

An Irish pharmacy has taken to Facebook to remind parents not to give their children anti-inflammatory medication to treat chickenpox. Anti-inflammatory medication can have an adverse effect on a child's chickenpox and can make them worse.

"Chickenpox is going around again so can I please remind people NOT to give your children Nurofen/ibuprofen. This type of medicine is an anti-inflammatory, it reacts with chicken pox making them go deeper into the skin tissue will also make your child very very ill! Please share this post to increase the word."

The HSE has issued guidelines for how to treat a child who has chickenpox. It has said to keep them hydrated, stop them scratching and put cool clothing on them. If you want to give them painkillers, then paracetamol is the option. They've said:

"If your child is in pain or has a fever (high temperature), you can give them a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol. These are available over the counter in pharmacies. Always read the manufacturer's instructions. Paracetamol is the preferred painkiller for treating the associated symptoms of chickenpox. This is due to a very small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox. If you're pregnant and need to take painkillers, then paracetamol is the first choice. You can use it at any stage of pregnancy."