How to Reduce Frankenstein-Like Scars After Your Child’s Otoplasty

Even though your toddler may want to dress up as Frankenstein for Halloween, the last thing that you want to do is give them scars that make them look like Frankenstein year round. If your child needs to have an otoplasty from Dr. George Philip Smith, we will do our best to ensure that the scars are as hidden and concealed as possible, but it’s also your job to make sure that you follow a few suggestions so that they don’t get worse. Let’s take a  closer look.

Have Them Wear Their Headband

When we send your child home from surgery, we will place a thin gauze headband over their ears to help the stitches stay in place and to reduce swelling. Depending on your child’s age, it may be more difficult to get them to wear their headband, or it may be just as simple as making sure that they don’t take it off. If you are having a hard time getting your toddler to keep their headband over their ears, try to have them decorate it with fun stickers or even fake ears so that they look like an animal; that way you can get them more excited about keeping it on.

No Touching Or Rubbing

When things start to heal after your child’s otoplasty, it can start to itch and become irritated. However, the more they pick at the scars while they heal, the more likely the scars are going to get worse. Try to keep an eye on them and make sure that they don’t touch or rub their ears too much. Even though having them wear their headband should help, it isn’t necessarily scratch resistant. If your child is old enough, consider making a chart where if they go a few hours without touching their ears, they get a sticker. After they get 10 stickers, then they get to go to the store and pick out a cool new toy.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Luckily, now that temperatures have died down, there are fewer fun things to do outside. If you can, try to keep your kids out of the sun while their ears are healing because the sun will only darken scars and make them more apparent.

To learn more, contact our Staten Island office today and call us at (718) 608-1111.