Chickenpox in 13 year old - how serious?

[Badaboop]

DS recently turned 13 and has just come down with chickenpox (he was around his friends when they had it as preschoolers but for some reason never caught it from them at the time).

I’ve heard alarming info about chickenpox in adults, including how it can lead to serious skin infections and pneumonia. Obviously it’s milder in children under 12. But what about teenagers? Do they count as “adults” in this context? Other than providing oat baths, paracetamol and moral support, I’ve been fairly laissez-faire about it so far, seeing it as something DS needs to get through. But should I be more alert for complications given he’s no longer strictly a young child?

My 13 year old had it last year and although she was pretty miserable, she wasn't any worse than my 11 year old who had it two weeks before. Hope your son recovers quickly.

Virasoothe gel for the itching. But no, 13yr old will be no worse than normal.

Scarlet fever can follow chickenpox (later on the spring) - something to watch out for.

Treat is as normal but be on the lookout for complications.
I would go to a pharmacy and ask what they would recommend- things like virasoothe gel are good.
Don't give ibuprofen

Just treat as normal. I Used calamine lotion. My son was 16 the worst thing was being embarrassed about all the spots and scabs on his face.

I had it at 15 (caught it from sibling 23), and we both had it pretty badly. Were both completely covered in spots - everywhere, and I felt really poorly. We were both off school for 2 weeks. But neither of us had any complications.