Soy sauce prevents chicken pox marks:

What food can we give for chicken pox?

The varicella-zoster virus causes chicken pox, which is an infectious disease. It generally affects children and sometimes adults also. Chicken pox causes blisters to form on the body and within the mouth, high fever, and excessive itching and discomfort.

Because of the illness, children especially may experience a dampening of the appetite and refuse to eat much. They may complain about the food tasting bad. A high calorie, well- balanced and nutritive diet is a must, however, both to heal and to maintain the general health of the patient.


Do not eliminate or remove milk and other dairy products if the child does not have lactose [milk and milk-based products] intolerance, since these foods usually form an essential part of a young child's diet.

Avoid feeding your child anything that is very hot or spicy. Also do not give processed or junk food.


Fresh, home-cooked food that is bland to taste, soft to swallow and easy to digest should be given. Blisters within the mouth often make drinking or eating difficult for the patient. Try to avoid feeding anything that is excessively salty or sharp, like potato chips.


Highly acidic foods, like orange juice, should also not be given since this would irritate blisters within the mouth. Do not force-feed for this usually dampens the child's appetite further. Encourage him to eat by giving him ice-creams and frozen juices.


Mashed bananas, yogurt and applesauce may form a part of the diet in the beginning, when cooked food may be difficult to eat. Keep the nutritional levels up by concentrating on fresh fruits, vegetable broths fortified with protein supplements, herbal teas of basil or cinnamon, and liquids. Fluids should be given in plenty to prevent dehydration. You must also give multi-vitamin supplements to build up the immune system.

There are misconceptions regarding the consumption of certain foods if one has chicken pox. For example, it is believed that eating dark soy sauce prevents chicken pox marks from disappearing. It is also widely held that sea food or eggs are 'poisonous' if consumed at this time and cause scarring. These beliefs have no scientific base. You only need to restrict such foods which you know your child may be allergic to.

Enough rest and sleep, medication such as anti-histamines to reduce the itching, vitamin supplements to boost the immune system, coupled with a sensible diet will help reduce the discomfort and weakness caused by chicken pox.