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Although there have been no formal clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of
topical application of calamine lotion, a topical barrier preparation containing zinc oxide
and one of the most commonly used interventions, it has an excellent safety profile. It is
important to maintain good hygiene and daily cleaning of skin with warm water to avoid
secondary bacterial infection.[39] Scratching may also increase the risk of secondary
infection.
Acetaminophen (paracetamol) but not aspirin may be used to reduce fever. Aspirin
use by someone with chickenpox may cause the serious, sometimes fatal disease of the
liver and brain, Reye syndrome. People at risk of developing severe complications who
have had significant exposure to the virus may be given intra-muscular varicella zoster
immune globulin (VZIG), a preparation containing high titres of antibodies to varicella
zoster virus, to ward off the disease.