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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really upset about ds chicken pox scars

58 replies

ditsydoll · 29/04/2014 22:46

Dd had cp 2 weeks ago, she has a few lolittle marks left and a crater on her back, nothing major but my poor beautiful 10 month old ds had them in his eczema on his face and he's full of little craters on his face and chin. I know it's shallow but I'm heartbroken about his beautiful little baby face :(

OP posts:
candycoatedwaterdrops · 29/04/2014 22:50

I think YANBU to be a little miffed but heartbroken is really OTT.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 29/04/2014 22:53

Try some bio oil. His little skin will shed, grow, and stretch and they'll probably hardly be noticeable in a few months' time.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 29/04/2014 23:00

I know it sounds daft, but it's hard to see scars on his gorgeous little face. He's even had them in his eyes, such a horrible nasty virus.
Will bio oil be ok on sensitive skin such as eczema?
Thank you saga, I'm hoping they will fade a little as they're just all over his chin and forehead.

OP posts:
EverythingsDozy · 29/04/2014 23:00

I've heard siblings often get them worse than the child that got it in the first place because the first child would have been exposed by a friend or someone like that but the sibling is constantly exposed to the virus so it is worse. Not sure how true that is, just thought it was interesting.
I have friends who's DDs had horrific cp, it was just about everywhere you can imagine and they were both so poorly. You wouldn't imagine it now, they haven't a noticeable scar on them. They are young, their skin will fix itself! He may have the odd scar but I've never heard of a child yet that has been permanently disfigured because of cp.

crazynanna · 29/04/2014 23:04

DD had horrific CP scars when she was a baby. They covered her shoulders and upper back and I remember thinking she will never show her shoulders when she hits her bikini days. Aged 15 now, and they have completely gone and have been for some years even with her eczema

whois · 29/04/2014 23:05

At 10 months it's unlikely that he'll be scared for life from CP. plenty of young skin to shed and regenerate.

I know you're upset now but I bet you can't even see them in 6 months.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 29/04/2014 23:07

candy don't be mean.

OP they will fade hugely, try not to worry too much. DS1 had several quite deep pox on his face when he had CP, and for some months afterwards the scars were very visible - I look back at photos and they are very clear.

He was 3.5 when he had it, and now just over 2 years later I can't see them at all.

With your DS being so little, his skin has got so much growing to do, they will all fade out I'm sure. Just keep it moisturised - I would be wary of bio-oil with eczema, just use his usual cream.

Original poster
ditsydoll · 29/04/2014 23:20

Thanks everyone, have been covering his skin in oilatum (have laid off his steroid cream while he's had co as I didn't want to make the sky n more sensitive)
His skin is pretty thin because he has to use the steroid cream often to reduce the eczema when it flares up. Poor little chap :(

OP posts:
PeachyParisian · 29/04/2014 23:51

Agree with bio oil suggestion, wish it had been around when I had CP as I have 2 very noticeable scars on my forehead. Can't say they detract from my overall beauty Wink so YABU because you can do something about it!

Original poster
ditsydoll · 30/04/2014 00:10

Just had a look on bio oils FAQs page and it shouldn't be used on cracked skin, or babies... So I can't use that because of ds eczema but will continue to keep it moisturised and hth

OP posts:
PandaFeet · 30/04/2014 00:23

Both my kids are just over cp. It put my youngest in hospital for three nights.

Seeing their pure and perfect skin so scabby and mottled is breaking my heart so YANBU. I know its unlikely they will have permanent scars, but still.

SixImpossible · 30/04/2014 00:37

One of mine has cp scars, despite not scratching and not having had any infected spots. He scars very easily. I totally get the way seeing scars on your baby's face upsets you.

I don't think ds will ever lose his scars completely. They have faded, but the shapes/lumps/pits etc are still there. I just have to accept them as part of who he is. He's probably going to acquire more over the years!

Morloth · 30/04/2014 00:45

Poor baby.

They will fade.

But I know what you mean, I take any and all scars on my perfect babies very personally!

Bettercallsaul1 · 30/04/2014 01:15

It is completely understandable that you feel like this, OP - I would feel exactly the same way.

We have a very primitive need to protect our babies from all harm and when something unavoidable like this happens, we feel it to the core. The thought of anything marring our baby's perfection is devastating.

But, as others have said, the scars will almost certainly vanish completely, such is the regenerative power of infant skin.

Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed of your distress or minimise your feelings - they are the completely natural feelings of a loving mother.

TraceyTrickster · 30/04/2014 01:21

my (olive skinned, mixed heritage) daughter had C badly at 10 months, -a really severe case and they were on her eyelids in her ears.
She is now 6 and I can see the occasional lighter spot on her skin- which I think shows up due to her skin colour. But they can only be seen in some light.

Ultimately though marks on the skin is not life changing (having just been talking to a mum whose child has severe life limiting condition)

BrianTheMole · 30/04/2014 01:22

They'll fade. My dd had cp at age 2 and she picked at the spots and left big craters there. At age 6 they have completely gone.

zoobaby · 30/04/2014 02:15

You could Google to see if Rose Hip Oil is safe for LOs. I had a particularly painful and angry-red-looking scar on my forehead. It definitely made a difference to the appearance and, if nothing else, certainly soothed it.

MrsSeanBean1 · 30/04/2014 02:43

CP is such a nasty disease. Really puzzled as to why we don't vaccinate here like they do in many other countries (and where it is then usually a very mild illness)

Mim78 · 30/04/2014 03:01

Not meAnt unsympathetically but on a ds they will look fine as he grows up.

Caterina99 · 30/04/2014 03:33

My DH had horrendous adult chicken pox a few years ago and the scars were awful. Now he has a few that are visible, but the majority of them have completely gone. If they can fade in an adult then I'm sure they'll be gone really quickly in a young baby.

MrsMook · 30/04/2014 03:56

Ds1 had it a year ago at 2. He was covered, but very little sign of it now. DS2 was 2my and I'm not sure if he has any scars.

The craters that Db was left with as a teenager have filled in and faded..

candycoatedwaterdrops · 30/04/2014 07:36

Alibaba Where was I mean? Christ on a bike! She asked if she was BU, I said YANBU to being upset but YABU to heartbroken. Sometimes getting things into perspective when you can't see the wood for the trees can be helpful, ya know?

DoJo · 30/04/2014 08:59

My son has a scar on his head from his forceps delivery, so it has been there since he was born and although it was a bit of a shame, it's a part of him now although barely noticeable after two years. I can understand how you feel, but try not to worry as they will fade in time and you will stop noticing them as well.

TwoNoisyBoys · 30/04/2014 11:07

My DS2 caught it from DS1 when he was about 14 months and had it much worse Hmm He was covered in scars.....but now, nothing, not one little mark. (He's 8 now, btw) Don't worry.......they'll fade.

Purplepoodle · 30/04/2014 11:10

They will fade and grow out, don't worry.

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