Smallpox is a common disease that most children suffer at school age. It usually takes up to two weeks, and the redness that remains after the pustules persists for some time. However, they sometimes leave behind deep and dark marks. Ointments, proper care and dermatological procedures will help get rid of scars. The key to a quick recovery will be regularity and patience, because the results can be expected up to several months.

Where do chickenpox scar come from?

Where do chickenpox scar come from?
Where do chickenpox scar come from?

From generation to generation, mothers pass on the most important commandment of a parent who has a smallpox patient at home:

Just do not let him scratch your pimples, or they will leave scars!

However, sometimes smallpox scars appear on the baby’s body, regardless of whether he scratched them or not. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the tendency to scarring. The most common complications of smallpox eczema occur when a pimple is infected with bacteria. This infection disrupts the structure of the skin, leaving an unsightly scar

How can I protect my child from smallpox scars?

It may seem that you are left to helplessly throw up your hands and wait for what fate will bring. Unfortunately, this is a bit similar, but there are ways to minimize the potential “gifts” from smallpox

  • Above all, protect your baby from the sun! Unhealed traces of smallpox are discolored by exposure to sunlight.
    Trim your child’s nails.
  • Change bedding and clothing frequently.
  • Make healing baths your daily routine. For example, with the addition of a solution of potassium permanganate, flax seeds or oatmeal – these agents have an antiseptic effect and soothe itching.
  • Do not use additional dryers. Doctors increasingly recommend leaving the skin without drying agents. The only form of prevention is the disinfection of the skin with special antiseptic agents that do not contain alcohol, which prevent the development of bacteria.

In children, the skin has a great ability to regenerate, and most often, over time, scars diminish, brighten and become almost invisible. The entire process takes about 2-3 months, unless secondary changes such as bacterial super infection occur. It is best to follow the rule – dry and clean. In addition, it is worth taking care of prevention in the form of chickenpox vaccination, which provides not only effective, but also long-term protection.

How to get rid of smallpox scars – dermatological treatments

Smallpox scars can persist for several months after getting sick. Traces disappear gradually. Small scars can quickly disappear on their own, but unfortunately, some traces of smallpox take the form of concave (atrophic) scars.

You can deal with them with specialized dermatological treatments such as dermabrasion, deep chemical peels, or fractional laser (ablative and non-ablative). The problem of dermabrasion and chemical peeling is a very individual reaction of the body to these procedures. Some may develop complications in the form of new, deeper scars. In addition, dermabrasion or deep chemical peels can be painful and often involve having to stay at home for a day or two due to flaky skin.

Treatment with radio waves or ablative or non-ablative lasers are a better, less invasive and more delicate solution. Dermatologists recommend that it is good to act relatively quickly after scar formation to effectively heal atrophic scars. However, keep in mind that the baby’s skin undergoes natural transformations all the time and traces of smallpox can fade up to 2 years.

Ointments for smallpox scars – work fast!

  • Therefore, so that your child’s skin does not remain scarred for life, you can use ointments and oils for scars, which accelerate healing and stimulate the skin to repair damaged epidermis. The ointment should be applied up to several times a day. For better healing of scars, you can apply a bandage with ointment at night.
  • Ointments based on onion extract work well in this role – it has a bactericidal effect and gives the effect of lightening the scar (the onion likes to sensitize, also check its fragment for an allergic reaction before applying the ointment to the whole body).
  • Also, good are products that stimulate the production of collagen in the skin (restore the epidermis). Silicone-based ointments work well, but their effectiveness depends on how soon they are used after the scar has formed. The silicon’s contained in the preparations moisturize the scar well and prevent excessive growth of scar tissue.
  • In addition, vitamin E ointments are best used immediately after an illness.
    All the above treatments can last up to several months after dimpling and are not 100% effective. After two months of use, you can see a slight improvement.

Natural home remedies for smallpox scars

Natural home remedies for smallpox scars
Natural home remedies for smallpox scars

However, in the case of smallpox scars, home remedies can only be an adjunct to medication.
Recommended for home use:

  • Coconut oils – moisturize and form collagen (use 2–3 times a day)
  • Lavender oils – accelerate healing (use twice a day)
  • Aloe Vera – moisturizes and removes scars (use at least twice a day)

You will have to wait for the visible effects to appear, they will appear after about 2–3 months of regular use.