Chickenpox is a mild but very common illness usually caught and spread by children, here is what you need to know if you think your child has it.

There has recently been in increase in the number of parents letting their children play with others despite having the very infectious condition.

One concerned mother took to Facebook after she saw a child in her local Primark who obviously wasn't very well.

She said: "I saw a family with a child covered in raw, unscabbed chicken pox out and about. Why would you take an infectious child out where they could infect other people?"

Most children are likely to get chickenpox before they are 10 years old, but chickenpox in older people can cause more complications, here is everything you need to know.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox starts with red spots that can appear anywhere on the body. The spots fill with fluid and can spread if they burst. Other symptoms include a high temperature, aches and feeling unwell and loss of appetite.

What do I need to look out for?

Chickenpox are incredibly itchy and can make children feel pretty miserable, especially if they don’t have many spots. But you really need to stop them from scratching themselves to prevent prominent scarring.

Is it contagious?

Yes. It is incredibly contagious to those who have never had chickenpox before. If you get it you should stay away from school, nursery or work for at least 5 days to stop it infecting others unnecessarily. You can catch chickenpox just from being in the same room as someone who has it.

Treating chickenpox

You should NOT use ibuprofen to try and help your child feel better. It can make some people with chickenpox very ill.

Don’t give aspirin to children under 16.

You should not make plans that put the infected person near pregnant women, newborn babies and people with weak immune systems because it can be very dangerous.

You should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

You can give the person paracetamol to ease discomfort.

Put socks on children’s hands at night to stop them scratching.

Use cooling gels from the pharmacy.

Bathe in cool water.

Dress in loose clothes

Can I vaccinate my family against it?

You can get vaccinated if there is a risk of harming someone with a weak immune system on the NHS. If this is not the case you can pay a private clinic to vaccinate you, this costs between £120 and £200.

Shingles vs. Chickenpox

You cannot catch shingles from someone with chickenpox, but you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles if you haven’t have it before. When you get chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It can be triggered again if your immune system is low and cause shingles.