Chicken pox scar

[MimiDuncan]

Hi All,

This Chiristmas my 4 years old daughter contracted chicken pox and gave it to he’s 4 month old brother sad

We tried everything to separate them, but did not work.

He managed to scratch one of he’s blister on the side of he’s nose, ( it’s on he’s nose bridge next to he’s eye ) which became inflamed, and probably infected.

We called south doc ( our gp wasn’t open due to Christmas) who prescribed an antibiotic cream.

The scab was huge and when it fell off it left a quite big and deep crater type of scar on he’s nose sad

My heart nearly stopped and since then I can not stop blaming myself that I should have done something differently .

Our gp never mentioned the vaccine, and had no idea that it can leave such a nasty scar(s) (my mum also never told me about the scars as I had none from it, I guess I was lucky)

My question would be are these scars are fading, filling in by time or staying forever?

Also as he will grow this scar will stay the same size or it will grow, stretch will him?

The scar around 4-5mm long and quite deep also sad

I know worse things happening and I should feel very lucky to have only one scar but what mainly bothers me that it’s on he’s nose.

I wouldn’t mind if it would be somewhere else on he’s face.

Thank you in advance!

I have a scar that sort of size from chicken pox! It looks tiny on my adult face. It is on my cheek. Doesn't bother me in the slightest and I don't think anyone has ever commented on it.

We had our dcs vaccinated against chicken pox, but then dd ran into a table and now has a scar on her forehead! Can't win.

I felt awful about that too, as if it was my fault. I think it's natural for mums to feel like that. But dd doesn't even notice it. It's just part of her face to her. It is about a cm and a half long but nobody really comments on it, including dd, who doesn't even know it's there.

So, I really wouldn't worry too much, hard as that is .

Wellity thank you very much for you kind words 🥰

May I ask that your scar was growing, getting bigger with you, or stayed the same size?

I am really hoping it will fade a little bit for him, and he won’t be bothered from it.

The scar is on he’s nose bridge right next to he’s eye, and it’s quite red and deep as well at the moment :(

I should’ve checked more informations about the vaccine, but my gp never mentioned it to me which makes me more frustrated 😔

My 14 year old son still has a scar from chickenpox as a baby. It's not red but he had a small indentation/crater on the side of his face. It's visible but not particularly prominent if that makes sense.

I was too little to remember my scar being any bigger or more obvious tbh, as I had chicken pox as a very young child. It is currently the same colour as the rest of my face, which I assume faded from red .

In answer to your specific question, it's probably stayed a similar size but he has quite a pea head so might look smaller on a larger head!

Thank you everyone!

I have one above each eyebrow. They were deep apparently (I was only 3) As I grew they sort of stretched out, making them less deep. No one has ever commented

My youngest got pox at 4 months old, got it very badly and was on antibiotics. He’s got a few scars on his face now he’s 2.

Rediculous that they don't immunise kids in the UK, like they do in... Oh, every other country.

Suzie81

It is actually so frustrating.

Only Uk, and Ireland are the ones who are not vaccinating against chicken pox.

They are not even giving informations about the complications etc

Most parents don’t even know about the vaccine.

I wish I could go back and vaccinate!

On the other hand I am trying to look the good side of it, as I’ve read that the vaccine only last for 10+years, and if they get it while they are old then it can cause much more damage and more complications.

Yes we choose not to vaccinate against it unless they got to 5 and hadn’t had it yet as thought natural immunity may be better and last a lifetime. Especially for girls who may become pregnant when older.

Scaring wise my sons has defo faded on his face and unless I look for them I wouldn’t see it.

I would try not to worry, even if there is a scar it can be his/her battle wound story.

Just to counter the information given above...

I think that is the official line; that we don't vaccinate children here, because the worry is that they may get it more severely later. But in other countries where they vaccinate, they have not had this problem. Immunity seems fairly strong when they have the two doses close together. When dcs are about to start university, we wi have their immunity tested and a booster given if needed; a bit like they do for mumps when young adults start university. So, I think it's not entirely clear that the decision not to vaccinate is because doing so would be more dangerous.

I read an article which said that the main reason they don't vaccinate children here is actually to protect the elderly. If they are exposed to chicken pox, it gives them some protection from shingles, I think.

It's obviously fine if your dc gets it fairly mildly and the worst that happens to them is a small scar or two, but it can actually be very serious in some children. My dad has been a hospital doctor for circa 50 years, and I asked him about it. He said absolutely go for the vaccine. Obviously, that is just one opinion and everyone will make their own choice, but I just wanted to give the other side of the argument as it were.

patient.info/news-and-features/should-your-child-have-the-chickenpox-vaccine

I still have a scar on my inner arm which was the 1st chicken pox blister I discovered age 11. That was 30yrs ago and its still there!

Are you aware of silicone gel and strips to reduce scars? You'd need to check with a pharmacist, or check online whether they can be used on a baby though. It comes in a tiny tube and you only apply the thinnest amount over the scar. Or, it comes in a strip (like a clear plaster) which gets left on the skin for a certain amount of time (possibly all day). If its a bumpy area like the nose, the gel is likely better and wont get pulled off as easily as a plaster.

I know it needs to be used for months, but some people have had great results, especially from a newish scar. Do check the age limitations on using it though. you can buy it online, or from boots, superdrug etc. Here is just one brand:
www.boots.com/dermatix-silicone-gel-15g-1-tube-10088181

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/may/15/real-reason-british-public-chickenpox-vaccine-shingles

My daughter was hospitalised with chicken pox 4 years ago. I wish I'd got her vaccinated, her scars were horrific- proper deep holes.etc. 4 years on the holes in her nose have gone- they looked like someone had dug them out with a small spoon! The ones on her cheeks etc mostly gone. The ones on her forehead are much much better but we may see a dermatologist when she's a bit older for the 3 deepest ones. What I am trying to say it that it was devastating but it has really really improved. People really don't notice her scars now and hers were all infected and deep, black, no space between spots etc. Their faces grow too and what is prominent now will become less so as he grows. Good luck.

Thank you