United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm confused by the recent messages about not using vitamin E on scars. We were told by a BP OT at TCH to use cocoa butter or vitamin E on Nicole's scars. I use a cocoa butter lotion that also contains vitamin E. It has always worked well for us. Francine, you said that TCH says not to use it. When did that change? On the post MQ instructions on your site, it says vitamin E or cocoa butter. I'm confused and welcome any comments. Thanks. -Tina

hi tina... I heard about a year ago or maybe less that TCH said not to use vitamin E. Actually Lisa asked me for some alternatives.... I never did get an answer why not the E - so I'm assuming that the wheat allergy may have cause issues with many babies. But it's just an assumption. The protocol sheet was from when maia was 19 months...that was a LONG time ago.... I should put the date on there actually...

-francine

Tina.... if the cocoa butter with E works for Nicole then use it...obviously it's not causing a problem right? it's been a long time since her last surgery - so I wouldn't worry about it

Hello. My son had the mod quad @ TCH last Aug (2000) and I was told to use the vitamin E oil for massage and we did. He never reacted to it the scar looks great one year later.

I used Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil Gel with Vit. E and Aloe for Gabrielle's scar. Also Eucerin cream on occation. I don't know about the Vit. E thing. But my family can not believe how Gabrielle's scar looks. You really have to look to see it. It even looks good at the top of her neck where she has baby fat folds. She also has very fair skin and Lisa D. said they tend to heal better than dark skin. It's like God knew and did not give her my very dark skin or my husbands Mexican skin. Thank goodness for Grandpa's Scottish gene!

I'll ask about the vitamin E thing...

Maia's scar was beautiful UNTIL her incision got infected - weeks later. Her primary scar looks like somebody sewed her up with a fish hook and her secondary scar is keloided. I did the massage all the time, many times a day. So the scars themselves are very flexible and pliable...but they still look like hell. It seems that every spot where it became infected, is where the scar went out of control. Dr. nath is going to try some other things for this next surgery to try and avoid this outcome.

-francine

For primary they told us vit e, six months later they said Eucerin and Mederma. Fortunately Katie's looks pretty good BUT we have to fight to do massage...