Chickenpox is usually contagious for about 10 days, from 1-2 days before the rash appears until the rash is completely crusted over. Chickenpox is an acute self-limiting disease caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus in humans, mostly in children. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct contact or respiratory droplet transmission, mostly in winter and spring. Varicella develops with fever and a centripetal distribution of red papules and herpes on the mucous membranes of the skin, with a course of about 5-6 days. It is infectious from 1-2 days before rash onset to the time when the rash is healed. The rash heals without scarring, but scars may remain at the site of the lesion when combined with bacterial infection. The rash may reappear as herpes zoster when the resistance is low. Patients with the rash should avoid scratching, eat a light and easily digestible diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.