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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Birth Marks That Look Like Smallpox Vaccine Scars A Concern?

Hi, thank you for reading. Female here, aged 21 with no chronic illnesses. I have a couple of marks on my body that look exactly like smallpox vaccine scars, but I know I didn t get that vaccine. Also, the marks are in some unconventional places. One is to the right on my lower back, one is on my inner thigh, one below the right of my ribcage, one under my left breast, and one is on the inner side of my left knee. I first noticed them when I was 4 or 5 while in mt swimsuit. My childish mind chalked them up to ladybug bites (at the time they were the size of a ladybug and looked like the underside of the beetle). When I was a little older, I decided they were birthmarks and never gave them much more thought. Now, I m not so sure. I had a couple of people tell me they ve never seen birthmarks that look like the smallpox vaccine scars, and researching online pretty much told me the same thing. I don t remember much at all from when I was a child unless something triggers a memory, so is it possible that this is really just a bunch of random scarring?
Mon, 2 Jul 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

It seems you are not sure whether the scars you have are birthmarks or vaccine scars. You need to be examined by a GP. Some birthmarks go away some do not. Vaccine scars may get lighter with time but do not disappear. Take vitamin B12 along with Zinc & iron for your general health condition. Sometimes, moles & other skin scarring get better or disappear. I don't think these scars hurt you so if you can stop bothering. But you do have the option of cosmetic surgery, so get examined. You may want to get rid of some if not all.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Are Birth Marks That Look Like Smallpox Vaccine Scars A Concern?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. It seems you are not sure whether the scars you have are birthmarks or vaccine scars. You need to be examined by a GP. Some birthmarks go away some do not. Vaccine scars may get lighter with time but do not disappear. Take vitamin B12 along with Zinc & iron for your general health condition. Sometimes, moles & other skin scarring get better or disappear. I don t think these scars hurt you so if you can stop bothering. But you do have the option of cosmetic surgery, so get examined. You may want to get rid of some if not all. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.