First time dad - Scratch on face how is best to heal?

[TennisMad93]

Hi all - new to the forum so not sure how this fully works but when changing son I noticed a large red scratch under his eye.

Is this a normal thing to happen? It’s under his eye and didn’t know whether I should ring HV for advice how to treat it.

Not sure if it’s superficial and wondering if it will scar? Any advice for first time dad is gratefully appreciated as don’t know many others.

Probably from his nail. Tiny bit of sudocrem on it will sort.

Just looks like they’ve scratched it- file their nails and pop a bit of sudocrem or similar on it.
No need to call anyone, it’ll disappear in a couple of days

Thanks both. It’s still a bit red (not as much as before).

Will it take a couple of weeks to heal and will it scar? Thanks in advance

No it won't scar - it'll vanish literally like magic I imagine in 24 hrs

Just leave it. Don’t put cream on either. Babies scratch their faces all the time. Check nails for sharp edges, and if you find one, gently gently file with a nail file.

When my babies did this I was amazed how quickly they vanished. Babies have magic skin healing powers.

Their tiny nails can be really sharp, totally normal and superficial.

It will heal in a few days I wouldn't put anything on it just cut or file babies nails

Thanks all for the reassurance. Don’t know many parents in my network so handy that I could make a post.

First time it has happened so was surprised but my main concern was whether it would scar his face as it’s quite big (wide) for a scratch I thought.

But judging by responses looks like it’ll heal quickly with no scar?!

Yes it will heal fast and leave no scar. Just be vigilant with nails because they scratch their faces a lot😅

Thank you. Was just concerned at the size of it and was unsure when researching whether or not is was superficial as it can be hard to tell?

It’s literally nothing. Just leave it be and it’ll heal. Gently file baby’s fingernails if they look / feel sharp.

Apologies haven’t had it happen before and it looked big and red that’s all. Didn’t know how long it takes to heal and disappear hence the post.

I’m considering using mitts however heard it can impact development but wondering whether I should do this at night time.

The redness has reduced surrounding the scratch has gone, which is a good thing I think, but the line is still visible but thinking it’s going to take a good week for it to go away

We used to be able to buy scratch mittens, soft mittens made of flannelette or similar.
One of mine used to scratch her face and I used the mittens for her, it happens as they wave their arms around but can't really control them.

Keep his nails short too without jagged edges.

The mark will go.

It’ll be just fine, and heal nicely. I put scratch mitts on my son at naptimes and bedtime for probably 5 months, he used to absolutely claw at his face something terrible and I couldn’t bear to see all the scuffs and scratches. He had eczema so I guess it was rather itchy!

It happens all the time. I found mitts pretty useless. My babies did this all the time. One scratch would heal and then they’d go and do it again. Take a couple of days to go.

Yes, they do larger sizes for older children and even adults with eczema who scratch themselves in their sleep.

Thanks all for reassurance - just don’t want it to scar that’s all! Typical first time parent worries I guess and impatient with it healing!

That’s interesting. Did it ever scar? Think we will have to use mitts potentially.

It won’t scar.

It’s easy to catastrophise when you’re a new parent, but I promise you won’t be obsessing like this when your second child scratches their own face 😊

What on earth is with all these posts about tiny scratches on faces at the moment, and with the obsession with scarring?!?! It's like the third one recently!

Goodness, it's a tiny superficial scratch and it'll heal just like a scratch on your own skin. There will be worse injuries in the future 😂

Mama of four kids here!

All scratched themselves (and a rogue broken bit of wood on a bloody Moses basket to one's face!).

It will heal and it will be fine 🙂 no scar

We didn't use mittens because a) they fall off all the time and b) I felt like it would stop them being able to explore textures, sensations etc - no idea if that's scientifically a thing but my gut said no them.

Wait until they're toddlers and older and covered in random scratches and bruises!

Mitts come off too easily, little ribbed socks are good and you can get sheepskins that have inbuilt little mitts that fold over. If mums breastfeeding, a little bit of breast milk wiped on helps heal due to the nutrients and vitamins. Congrats on your baby.

That’s true! I appreciate my post sounds anxious to people but it’s because my OH thinks it’s going to scar which in turn makes me worry!

I thought this. To the point I did wonder if it's all the same person posting.