United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, its been 4 weeks since primary surgery. Thomas will be set free of his brace tomorrow. He does not cry as often as he did before. We also have a new tooth this morning its odd though he cut an eye tooth on the top and has only 3 on the bottom. My little one just has to be different. He is 6 months old and doing well. Just wanted to let all of you .I have been out of touch for about two weeks. Whats good to use for the scar massages? Thanks carron

I'm so glad to hear Thomas is doing well and just about finished with the immobilizer. Phew. We used a Vitamin E oil (very thick stuff) for Elizabeth's scar massage. Her scars healed nicely; you can hardly notice the scars on her calf and her neck scar is pretty good too.

I'll keep Thomas in my prayers as he recovers function from primary. I hope the teething isn't too bad!

Carron... so glad to hear that this time has passed for both of you!

About scar massage, I understand that TCH has said not to use Vitamin E - but Lisa never told me why. It could be because many kids are allergic to the wheat germ oil it's in? I'm not sure - so you may want to ask them.

There are some specific for scars preparations - Mederma, Scargo ,etc. then there are also regular massage preparations (but again watch out for nut oils, too). Burts Bees makes a nice apricot oil which is just beautiful - formulated for babies. And then there is Weleeda - they have calendula oil and arnica oil. They also have calendula cream.

Natural products sound best because anything on the skin gets somewhat absorbed - but if your little one has allergies you have to be really careful.

Broach it slowly and softly and work your way in to a deeper massage movement ok?

-francine

Our therapist gave us some pads that looked like the sticky hands you get from the gumball machines. The pad sticks on the scar for awhile before the massage to keep the skin soft.
I also heard vitamin-e wasn't good for under a certain age. I think you can overdose on vitamin-e. It can cause more problems than what you started with!!!
Hope this helps.
T.

Carron,
Matthew had surgery the beginning of October. We were advised by TCH to use vitamin E as well as our pt and ot. Matthew's scars are doing really well.
Cindy