BCG scar popped 2nd time on my 4 month old's arm

[Puddingmama]

Hi, first time poster and long term lurker here.

We're based in the UK here and as my first born baby boy is a mixed race baby, he was offered the bcg vaccine at 3 weeks old, we delayed his vaccine until he was 6 weeks old as the hospital suspected he had RSV at 3 weeks which turned out to be nothing. That initial scare at 3 weeks old of having to stay with him in hospital for 2 nights being kept monitored had really put me on edge when it came to his health and now I second guess anything relating to his health.

Onto the bcg vaccine, when he first had it he didn't cry and it did not affect him one bit and he barely had a bump nor was it red. Fast forward to 14 weeks old, I notice his bcg scar getting a bit red and swollen so I called our GP and she said that it was normal and it may pop and ooze - if it did then ring them up again. It did pop at 15 weeks or so, we were told to keep the area and put a dressing over it.

16 weeks old and he was still oozing so we went in to see a nurse and they antibiotics and the scar eventually dried up at 17 weeks.

He's currently almost 18 weeks old, the scar has popped again this morning and oozing a little, GP did say that this was normal and it could happen again and again until the scar finally closes up. I should feel comforted by this but I can't help but feel worried again. We will be contacting our GP again if the scar doesnt dry and scab up after a few days to ask if antibiotics is required again.

I get that this scarring issue is normal but would love to hear other mums on their experiences with the BCG vaccine? How did you cope with the scar popping if it did for your babies?

I probably would have been less worried and panicky if our GP service didn't text me follow up information about sepsis right after our appointment with the nurse..

I'm sorry you've not has any replies.
I'm not sure I'll be much use. Whilst I remember as a teen lots of oozy scabby BCG scars, neither of my kids got any form of reaction when vaccinated very early (I can't remember the exact age, but it was before their first set of vaccinations). And so neither child has a noticeable scar, unlike my pock-mark.

I'd keep on with the GP - or maybe ring the clinic where the vaccination was done?? We had to go to the hospital, as they didn't/couldn't do it at the GPs

DS1 had the BCG as a newborn as we lived in central London at the time. I do remember it was quite juicy (over a decade ago now) but those photos look really red and angry. In my experience health care professionals are always happy to see little babies if you have a concern, even if it's just to put your mind at rest. Maybe see if you can get him booked in tomorrow?

Congratulations on your lovely baby, hope your mind can be put at rest soon!

My little one had the BCG at the beginning of July and it looked similar to your little ones.
It initially healed and then started popping and oozing repeatedly. My GP said it could take several months to heal.
I'm sure they'd be happy to check it for you again, my little one has had a few rounds of antibiotics and some steroid cream to help it to heal. It's always worth getting it checked, I hope it heals up soon!

I would get that checked again I think - DD didn't have BCG but I did as a teen and while they were scabby and a bit gross, your DS's looks quite red and angry, and the redness under the skin looks a bit dodgy to me. It may be fine, or he may need some more antibiotics.

Hi my three year old had a bcg which filled then drained at least three times over a period of about 6 months. Had it checked a few times by both gp and tb nurse and although unpleasant to look at was reassured each time that it was within normal spectrum of reactions to the vaccine. I was really worried it wouldn’t heal but it eventually has! So definitely keep an eye on it and get it checked out but it can be normal. I’ll attach some pics of what his looked like at points

Thanks everyone for the support, I spoke with our GP twice over the week and sent her some pics of what it looks like recently, it had burst with a bit of pus, scabbed, burst again and scabbed again since in the space of a week. She said that it's normal and it may keep popping until it fully dries up which could take months. Antibiotics will only be needed if it looked like the initial pic from 14th Nov where it looked like a hole.

I feel a bit more relieved and happy that he's not in pain at all. 😊

Hi! My son had pus 2 times this week in his BCG vaccin that he had 2 months ago
We have been to to A&E last night and they said that is normal and I just have to keep it dry and clean, but I'm still a bit worried that is still a big hole in his arm and they said is ok. I just want to know please if your son vaccin had been better after some weeks or did you go to another doctor? Should I be warried about the hole and check with another doctor? Thank you!

Hi! How's the BCG looking now? Xx

I know this is an old thread but my little one had the BCG 6 months ago and still looking very big and swollen ( tiny yellow fluid stains on vest when she gets dressed) does not seem to bother her but how long until it goes down? Doctors have been no help as they ' do not see BCGS often' but said it's not infected just very swollen

Hi ByDB, we actually went to see the specialists that gave him the bcg infection start of January. When they saw his arm they said it was completely normal and to imagine it like baking a cake, the injection site will keep rising and popping like cake mixture until it’s ready. They also said not to cover it up and it’s fine wash it with water but no going into pools or swimming, eventually it will completely close up and heal which may take over a year. The important thing is that it doesn’t hurt for him. His arm has since popped two more times, but no longer swollen, just a tiny red dot.

How long did it take to no longer be swollen? Glad it's looking better now ! X

Hi f12, the specialists did say every baby is different on how they react to the bcg injection and it may take up to a year for it to completely heal. My son has his bcg in September and it’s only stopped pusing about 3 weeks ago and not swelling anymore. I booked appointments with the nurses and gps, the best advice they gave me was to get in contact with the people that administered the bcg, we had the old letter and gave them a ring, they were able to see us within a day and gave us lots of reassurance. As they are the specialists with bcg, do you think you can get in contact with them as they will be able to help quite quickly.