Will my child have scars after he recovers from chicken pox?

[Fiona2011231]

So my son returned to school yesterday after getting chicken pox about 10 days ago. That period has been rather painless, and now he is happy at school again.

However, the spots are still on his face and body. I read that permanent scars can only form if there is an infection. Since my child's blisters now crust crust over to form scabs, I suppose there is no risk of infection.

But still I'm worried that he may have scars.

Should I use any cream/gel now?

Thank you

[CliveCussler]

He could have scars. My dd was 2.5 when she had cp and was covered with spots. None were infected but she scarred really badly. I was so upset.

However, they really do fade of their own accord and now, age 11, she has only a few noticeable ones. I didn't put anything on them though I hear that bio-oil is good.

[LIZS]

Dd has 3 or 4 scars, on the sites of the first few spots.

[clam]

My dd had a very bad dose of CP at around 5 months old. The health visitor said it was one of the worst cases she'd seen, and asked to borrow her at the clinic to show her to some trainees, as they were unlikely to see anything better! She's now 16 yo (and stunning, if I say so myself! ) but yes, she has loads of scars. They're not unsightly particularly, just barely perceptible white-ish pockmarks, a couple on her forehead and loads in the bikini area. Worst-case scenario is that a career as a swimwear model (or porn star ) is out, but we can live with that.

[fattymcfatfat]

I have a scar...but thats it and my DS was 8 weeks old when he had them. he was very lucky had a really mild case and hasnt scarred at all.

[emwithme]

I had chicken pox EVERYWHERE as a kid. Literally covered in it (including up my bum/foof/nose, in my mouth/eyes). I have two scars - one little one in the centre of my forehead (where a unicorn's horn would be) and one on the top of my arm that everyone confuses for my BCG.

I had socks taped to my hands overnight so I couldn't scratch in my sleep. It seemed to work...

[clam]

Everyone used to tell me that breast-fed babies don't get chicken pox - or at least, not badly, as they get immunity from their mothers. However, dd was breastfed, but I then found out subsequently that, contrary to my own mother's insistence, I'd never had it myself.

[TooSpotty]

DD had dreadful pox (see username) with enormous weeping blisters. She now, a year later, has some very mild scarring. It's near both nipples so I do worry a bit how she'll feel when she's older, but hopefully it will have faded even more by then.

[fattymcfatfat]

toospotty she will probably forget about them most of the time. my one scar is on my boob and forget its there most of the time, just as I forget the scar on my lip. you just learn to live with it.

[ThatBloodyWoman]

My dd has scars.
She didn't have an infection but she was only 18 months old so too young to understand to leave them alone.
Does it matter?

[IAmAPaleontologist]

ds1 has some, nothing particularly obvious but a couple on his forehead that he didn't leave alone. He was nearly 3 I think when he had it, 8 now. Dd had some marks on her tummy that have gradually faded. Ds2 has just had it so time will tell. He turned 3 today and won't leave them alone and he had them very badly (hospital).

[Milliways]

My DS had terrible infected CP as a baby, ( there was not anywhere you could place a finger and not touch a spot- they were even in his mouth and ears) he looked liked a crusty monster and had awful scars all over his tummy, so horrible that even when he was 2 or 3 people still asked if he had something nasty at swimming lessons.
Luckily they all faded by the time he started school and he now (at uni) has only 2 or 3 little marks.