What should I do if the newborn has abscesses after receiving BCG vaccine?

Vaccines are something very common in people's daily lives. Usually, newborns need to be vaccinated. In this case, vaccines are mainly used to avoid some physical diseases. So for some phenomena, it is necessary to go to the epidemic prevention station to get vaccinated on time every month. However, some newborns may be found to have abscesses on their bodies after receiving BCG vaccination. When this happens, parents are naturally very worried, thinking it is a reaction caused by physical discomfort or allergies. So what should we do if a newborn baby has abscesses after receiving BCG vaccination?

This condition may be a reaction to the BCG vaccine. If redness, swelling, and purulent infection occur. Be sure to use iodine to disinfect and apply isoniazid ointment when necessary. Do not get the area wet or take a bath at this time.

Vaccination reaction

The reaction after BCG vaccination is different from that of general vaccinations. Usually about 3 weeks after vaccination, redness and swelling will appear at the vaccination site, which will gradually soften in the middle and form small white pustules. After the pustules rupture, pus will be discharged, and it will take 1-2 weeks for a scab to form. After healing, a round scar may remain.

The above process generally lasts about 2 months. After vaccination with BCG, the lymph nodes near the vaccination site (mostly the axillary lymph nodes) will often swell. This is a normal reaction. As the vaccination site heals, the swollen lymph nodes will disappear on their own. Hot compresses can be used to promote its disappearance. If an abscess is formed, you can ask the doctor to use a syringe to extract the pus to promote healing. It generally does not affect the child's health. If there are local pustules or ulcers after BCG vaccination, there is no need to apply medicine or bandage. But the area must be kept clean and clothes should not be worn too tightly. If pus flows out, wipe it gently with sterile gauze or cotton. Do not squeeze it. It will heal and form a scab naturally in about two to three months on average. Wait for the scab to fall off naturally and do not pick it off prematurely.

Reaction 1: Within 2-3 days after intradermal BCG vaccination, there will be slight redness and swelling on the skin at the vaccination site. This is a non-specific reaction and will disappear quickly. About 2 weeks later, there will be local red and swollen papule-like lumps, which sometimes soften into small white pustules and then rupture on their own to form superficial ulcers, generally no larger than 0.5 cm, with a small amount of pus, and then gradually scab over, leaving a slight scar after the scab falls off. This lasts for 2-3 months and is a normal reaction to BCG.

Reaction 2: A very small number of people may experience severe rash, purpura, shock and other abnormal reactions after BCG vaccination. See a doctor for treatment in a timely manner. In addition, the following reactions may occasionally occur during vaccination:

⑴ Lymph node inflammation: About 1-2 months after vaccination, lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and above and below the clavicle become enlarged (greater than 1.0 cm). In cases where the reaction is too strong, the lymph nodes will be obviously swollen, and abscesses or ulcers may form, or there may be small pus scars at the vaccination site. The reaction to intradermal injection is often stronger than that to the scratch method. In addition, those who have a positive old tuberculin (OT) test may also have a stronger reaction after vaccination.

⑵ Lupus-like reaction: related to the residual virulence of the tuberculosis strain. ⑶ Scar: Scar protrusions are formed due to abundant granulation tissue, sometimes appearing as keloids. This is more common in those who are vaccinated by direct skin scratch without OT testing.