Which vaccines may leave scars?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, a scar refers to a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. Vaccines such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), varicella (chickenpox) live vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine may leave scars. When receiving these vaccines, one should pay attention to possible local skin reactions and consult a doctor for professional medical advice when necessary. For existing scars, it is recommended to seek professional medical assistance for improvement.
Generally speaking, a scar refers to a cicatrix. Vaccines such as bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) live vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) combined vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine may leave cicatrices. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. BCG Vaccine
Primarily used for the prevention of tuberculosis. After newborns receive the BCG vaccination, redness and swelling typically appear at the injection site, which may subsequently form a scab and eventually leave a small cicatrix. This is a normal reaction following BCG vaccination and also one of the indicators of successful immunization.
2. Varicella Live Vaccine
This vaccine is used to prevent infection by the varicella-zoster virus. Due to the potential irritability of the vaccine on the skin, tiny cicatrices might appear at the injection site after vaccination.
3. DTaP Vaccine
This is a combined vaccine primarily used for the prevention of diseases such as pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus. Because a deeper subcutaneous injection might be required during administration, a cicatrix may be left at the injection site.
4. MMR Combined Vaccine
This vaccine can prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine is usually administered at the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. If the local muscle layer is thin, a cicatrix may develop after vaccination.
5. Hepatitis B Vaccine
This vaccine is used to prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus. Since the recipients of the hepatitis B vaccine are mostly infants and young children who may not cooperate well during vaccination, more severe local tissue damage might occur, thereby leaving a cicatrix.
During the administration of these vaccines, attention should be paid to possible local skin reactions, and medical advice should be sought when necessary. Additionally, if the resulting cicatrices affect appearance or cause psychological distress, professional medical assistance can be considered for improvement.
