Chickenpox is a common illness in young children, although it is possible for people to catch it at any age.
The itchy condition affects thousands of people each year and while it can cause a lot of irritation, it is still considered a mild illness for most youngsters.
However, a recent supply shortage of the treatment and a rising number of cases have left parents across the country in desperate search for an antidote.
Here is everything you need to know about chickenpox - the symptoms to look out for, how long you're contagious for, how to treat it and how it spreads, according to the NHS
Signs you might have chickenpox
The first stage will see small red spots appear somewhere on the body.
The spots may spread or stay in the same area.
They could be red, pink, darker or the same colour as the surrounding skin tone.
The small red spots will then start to blister, which can be immensely itchy. Once they burst, the area will then scab over.
Other symptoms can include a high temperature, a loss of appetite and a generally unwell feeling.
How chickenpox can spread
You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with the virus. It's also spread by touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them.
The condition can be infectious from two days before the first symptoms become visible.
It will normally continue to be infectious until the blisters have scabbed over - usually around five days after the spots appear.
Symptoms normally start to appear around one to three weeks after you first come into contact with the virus.
It is possible to catch chickenpox more than once, although that is very unlikely.
How chickenpox is treated
There is a chickenpox vaccine that can be obtained through the NHS if there's a risk of someone with a weakened immune system could contract it.
For example, a child can be given the vaccine if one of their parents is taking chemotherapy treatment.
Vaccines can also be purchased at private and travel clinics for between £120 and £200.
When red spots and blisters are already in full force, the treatment to ease itching are soothing gels such as calamine lotion.
However, over the last month, stocks of the lotion have been low and unavailable to many customers.
Last month saw Tesco, Morrisons, Amazon, and Wilko all sell out of the product and unable to re-stock.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We are aware suppliers of calamine lotion are currently experiencing supply constraints."
The DoH added that the stock issues should have been resolved by the end of July.
However, as of July 22 - Tesco, Morrisons and Wilko are still out of stock, with Asda and Boots joining them on a list of places the lotion is unavailable to purchase.
