As both of his children have been caught for a second time by a rather virulent form of chickenpox, Ashley Cohen, of Ilkley Moor Pharmacy, provides families with invaluable information to help cope with what can be a distressing time for children.

The managing director said: “Chickenpox is a mild but highly infectious disease that most children catch at some point. It is most common to catch the disease between April and June.

“It takes ten to 21 days for the symptoms to show after you have come into contact with the virus. This is called the ‘incubation period’.

“Chickenpox is most common in children who are between two and eight years of age, although you can develop chickenpox at any age.

“You are infectious from about two days before the rash appears until roughly five days after. Therefore you or your child should stay at home until all of the blisters have fully crusted over, and this usually happens five to seven days after the first blister appears. After the last blister has burst and crusted over, you are no longer infectious.

“Chickenpox spreads via tiny droplets of saliva and nasal mucus in sneezes and coughs from an infected person. The virus is already in these droplets, which is why it spreads so fast.

“It is extremely rare, but you can catch chickenpox twice (as our two children will vouch for!).

“Chickenpox occurs in approximately three in every 1,000 pregnancies and can cause serious complications for both you and your child.

“Your GP will be able to advise you on any necessary tests or treatment you may require.

“The treatments available are as follows: “Antihistamine: eg. Piriton – given regularly can help children from scratching.

“Calamine lotion – to soothe the blisters.

“Regular painkillers – Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen – to help with pain control.

“Bicarbonate of soda – powder for the bath can help the itching.

“Vaccination: A chickenpox vaccine is commercially available, but not currently funded by the NHS and can be purchased privately.”