A three-year-old boy from southern China who was once cruelly nicknamed “Mickey Mouse” due to the balloon-like growths on his head has made a stunning recovery following surgery to treat a rare skin condition.
The boy, identified only as Qibao, was born in Fujian province with several large, dark moles covering his scalp, a result of a condition called congenital naevus, per Derm Netz. The rare disorder, caused by an overgrowth of pigment-producing cells, can significantly affect both physical appearance and emotional wellbeing.
Doctors in Shanghai told Qibao’s parents that the moles could be surgically removed, but first, the skin on his head would need to be stretched to ensure there was enough tissue to cover the areas post-removal.
Footage shared by his family during the early stages of treatment showed Qibao with two prominent, balloon-like skin expanders on either side of his head, a heartbreaking image that led to hurtful taunts from others.
Despite the emotional toll, his family pushed forward. “We wiped away our tears and moved on,” said Qibao’s mother, Ms. Chen, via The Daily Mail.
Five months later, Qibao’s treatment has been declared a complete success. Surgeons successfully removed the moles, and post-operative videos show the little boy, now bandaged but beaming, playing joyfully in the hospital’s nursery.
Qibao’s resilience and transformation moved thousands across Chinese social media. One Douyin user wrote: “This boy is so brave, and so is his mum. I cried watching this.” Another added: “I was teased for how I looked, too. This really hit home.”
Congenital naevus affects roughly one percent of newborns, though in most cases, the moles are small and often referred to as “brown birthmarks.” In more severe cases, like Qibao’s, surgical removal is often necessary, sometimes requiring full-thickness skin grafts, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia details. Alternative treatments include laser therapy or dermabrasion, which resurfaces the skin to promote smoother regrowth.
Now, with the hardest part behind him, Qibao’s story is being celebrated as a testament to medical progress and the power of love, courage, and a mother’s determination.