The deeper truth:
In most cases, this scar is the result of the BCG vaccine, which was developed to protect against tuberculosis (TB)—a disease that once killed millions worldwide.
The vaccine is typically administered in infancy or early childhood. Because it happens so early, most people have no memory of the injection or the healing process. The event fades from memory, but the mark remains.
Importantly, the scar is intentional, not accidental. The BCG vaccine is given just under the skin rather than deep into the muscle. This triggers a localized immune reaction, sometimes forming a small ulcer that eventually heals into a scar.
Nothing went wrong.
The body did exactly what it was meant to do.
Misconception #2: “Only people from poor or rural backgrounds have it”
In some cultures, the scar has been unfairly linked to poverty, rural living, or outdated healthcare systems. As a result, people with the mark may feel judged or labeled.
The deeper truth:
The BCG vaccine was rolled out as part of national public health programs, not because families were poor—but because tuberculosis was widespread and deadly.