Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

chicken pox guilt

14 replies

gjox · 12/04/2023 08:07

my LO has just had chicken pox and it was awful to see her like that. she had a couple on her face and while she was very good not scratching she did pick at a couple on her face. she now has a couple of indents on her forehead and i am racked with guilt that its my fault and theres something i should have done. i cant stop thinking about it and feel terrible. anyone had a similar experience or any advice? she only 1 week post chicken pox so its still early days

OP posts:

IcantTurnAblindEye · 12/04/2023 08:12

Hi. Dont feel guilty. Me and my son have indents left over from childhood chicken pox, i imagine most ppl have

ifonly4 · 12/04/2023 08:18

Unfortunately, most children are going to experience it, so don't feel guilty. I didn't get it until I was 25 (and no idea where I got it from) and I literally hurt all over, had chicken pox in my vagina, really struggled to swallow so hardly eat. I was off work two weeks with it. They say it's worse when you are older, hard to tell as I don't know what it would have been like if I'd had it younger.

Where I was so restless, I knocked a couple of my chicken pox scabs off on my forehead. They are still there, but believe me you really have to look for them.

When DD was younger she had a three hour op to have he appendix out, leaving quite a scar, almost L shaped. Never reduced. I feel bad for that - if I'd realised sooner, maybe op wouldn't have taken so long. I'll give it to her, she wears a bikini (age 21) and just gets on with it.

pbdr · 12/04/2023 08:21

I have a couple of pockmarks on my face from having chickenpox when I was little. There hasn't been a single moment of my life where I have cared in the slightest about them. We are all just canvasses speckled with marks of our history, it keeps things interesting. She's going to have plenty more scars and stories by the time she's an adult. You're doing great.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

MrsBunnyEars · 12/04/2023 08:26

Its tough to feel guilty.

Its shit that the NHS doesn’t routinely vaccinate for it, but it’s very easy to get privately (I know there have been supply issues recently, but in general that’s the case for anyone who can afford it - for us it was about £150).

It’s a horrible disease and I don’t know why we see it as routine when it’s easily avoided.

Prahdeepx · 12/04/2023 08:29

Did you not get her vaccinated against chicken pox?

cocksstrideintheevening · 12/04/2023 08:30

DD's 'mother spot' was right in the middle of her forehead. This was 10 years ago, I didn't even know you could vaccinate. Both kids were so ill with it one ended up in hospital.

Anyway dd's scar was massive, genuinely a crater. It's faded over the years but I get where you're coming from.

cocksstrideintheevening · 12/04/2023 08:30

Prahdeepx · 12/04/2023 08:29

Did you not get her vaccinated against chicken pox?

Pointless comment

FlounderingFruitcake · 12/04/2023 08:31

What’s done is done. It’s not your fault that the NHS doesn’t vaccinate and that it’s expensive to get it privately. They’ll fade in time.

ittakes2 · 12/04/2023 09:02

The world health organisation recommends vaccinating as standard and Australia and the US provide free chicken pox vaccinations to their children. Not your fault - I am sure they will fade with time. try paw paw ointment.

Original poster

gjox · 12/04/2023 11:38

thanks everyone. i think because its still so new im focusing on it too much. i didnt vaccinate as i read its more dangerous to get as an adult and read something about shingles so after some advice decided against it

OP posts:

Original poster

gjox · 12/04/2023 12:50

this is what my husband said

OP posts:

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 12:52

Prahdeepx · 12/04/2023 08:29

Did you not get her vaccinated against chicken pox?

Clearly not don't be so mean

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 12:52

cocksstrideintheevening · 12/04/2023 08:30

DD's 'mother spot' was right in the middle of her forehead. This was 10 years ago, I didn't even know you could vaccinate. Both kids were so ill with it one ended up in hospital.

Anyway dd's scar was massive, genuinely a crater. It's faded over the years but I get where you're coming from.

Yeah what's with them getting a mother spot!

FlounderingFruitcake · 12/04/2023 13:40

gjox · 12/04/2023 11:38

That isn’t true FYI. Not that you’re remotely to blame for believing the NHS, but a) there’s a shingles vaccine and b) they haven’t found this to be a problem in the US where they’ve been vaccinating for 27 years (or any other countries where it’s been routine for ages). Again, definitely not your fault, but just wanted to put that out there for anyone else reading and that might be considering the vaccine.

Your DD will be fine, mine has a scar on her forehead from tripping in the school playground. It happens. Most kids don’t make it to adulthood totally unblemished and unscathed. I know easier said than done but try not to focus on it.

Flip