My 2 year old daughter fell on a toy with a sharp edge 4 weeks ago. It was deep but I didn't take her to the ER because it stopped bleeding after 5 minutes or so.
I didn't think it needed stiches but now I don't know if it would have helped to get them because there is a scar there now.
I want to remove it or at least improve it because its right on her cheek on the front of her beautiful face. Will it fade over time naturally? I'm using mederma and silicone pads. What more can I do?
These types of scars on the cheeks can be improved with fractional laser and pulsed dye laser as the best two options.
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It would be best to wait 1 full year to see how much the skin and scar remodels itself; no doubt it will improve with time alone (sunscreen is important too). Massaging the scar and silicone gel sheeting is modestly helpful.
Hard to say whether stitching it up from the beginning would have been better, so I wouldn't beat yourself over that. I would meet with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss the treatment options now and for down the road (some procedures can't be performed on a squirming toddler).
Even if she had stitches, there would still be a scar. As Dr. Aldea has said, massaging the scar with VitE or Mederma will help and you should give it a year and then have it looked at by a plastic surgeon. Most of the time, no revisions are needed. Remember that scar revision is not scar removal.
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Unfortunately, a scar is permanent and cannot be erased or improved.
Moreover, at this time in its healing, you have to wait and see how it would turn out. Over the next 8 months, the scar will constantly re-model itself until it takes it final form. Only at THAT time will you know how the scar looks.
If you think the scar looks horrible once it matures, you may consider having it worked on. That would involve operating on it, removing the old scar and trading it for a nicer scar.
Personally, I would not do it until her growth spurt is over and only if she is emotionally bothered by the scar. As much as you may be bothered by the scar now, it WILL look a lot better. If your daughter is not bothered by it, I would leave it alone.
Dr. P. Aldea
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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