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Hemangiomas

in Hastings, MI

A hemangioma, also known as a strawberry mark, is a type of birthmark that is almost always benign. While they rarely require medical attention, hemangiomas can be treated if they are cosmetically bothersome, interfere with vital functions, or indicate another medical concern. A Forefront provider can discuss your concerns and tell you what your options are.

What are hemangiomas?

A hemangioma is a red or pink raised birthmark formed by collections of extra blood vessels in the skin. They most often appear on the head and neck, vary in size, shape, and color, and sometimes have a rubbery feel. They are almost always benign and usually disappear by the age of 10.

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Who is affected by hemangiomas?

Hemangiomas can affect anyone, male or female, of any ethnicity. Though the exact cause of hemangiomas is not known, scientists suspect that infantile hemangiomas are the result of flaws in the vascular development of the fetus. To date, there is no link between hemangiomas and injuries, food intake or medication; however they are more common in:

  • Female babies
  • Premature babies
  • Caucasian infants
  • Twins and triplets

How are hemangiomas diagnosed?

Pediatricians and dermatologists can usually diagnose infantile hemangioma upon visual exam. If the birthmarks are flesh colored or have a blue or purple hue, they may originate deeper below the skin and may require an MRI or ultrasound to confirm diagnosis.

What are the best hemangioma treatments?

While many hemangiomas do not require treatment, all hemangiomas should be monitored closely in case they develop complications. Some birthmarks can start to change shape or bleed, and some are located in areas that interfere with vital functions like eating, breathing, and vision.

There are several treatment options available depending on the type and location of the birthmark, including:

  • Beta-blockers, which shrink the existing hemangioma and prevent additional growth. Proponal is an oral beta-blocker that can be given at a few weeks old and is usually taken for one year. Timolol is applied topically to the surface of hemangiomas as an alternative to Proponal.
  • Oral corticosteroids, to slow the hematoma’s growth.
  • Pulsed dye laser, to heal ulcerated hemangiomas and for red vessels left behind after the hemangioma disappears. The pulsed dye laser also works well to remove residual red discoloration.
  • Surgery. Surgical excision is usually reserved for cases in which fibrous, fatty tissue or scarring remains after the hemangioma has evolved, or for hemangiomas that are shrinking very slowly and have not resolved by the time the child is about to enter school.

Do hemangiomas indicate other health problems?
Although very rare, there are some hemangiomas that could signify other health problems in infants. This is why it’s extremely important to have continued monitoring of your child’s hemangiomas.

Multiple hemangiomas. The presence of multiple hemangiomas in babies less than 6 months of age can indicate the presence of hemangiomas on the liver, which are not always dangerous but do require medical monitoring.

Hemangiomas on the lower back. Hemangiomas located on the lower back could be associated with spinal cord problems.

Large hemangiomas. Large hemangiomas on the face, head or neck may have PHACE syndrome, which causes multiple birth defects. PHACE is an acronym that stands for:

    • Posterior fossa (possible abnormal structures in the brain, especially the cerebellum)
    • Hemangioma
    • Arterial (possible abnormal arteries in the brain, neck, eye or heart)
    • Cardiac (possible heart abnormalities)
    • Eyes (possible eye abnormalities)

Who can treat hemangiomas

Forefront pediatric dermatologists are experts in all pediatric skin conditions. We can diagnose and treat hemangiomas, although initial detection of hemangiomas is often made by a pediatrician. If an infant has a hemangioma on or near the eye, our providers can recommend a pediatric ophthalmologist who can examine the child to determine how the birthmark will affect their vision. Forefront has excellent relationships with pediatricians and other specialists near our offices, making it easy to formulate a care plan that’s best for your child.

To schedule an appointment with Forefront, find a location near you today.

1 Location in the Hastings, MI area

Interested in Hemangiomas? Request a consultation with a skin specialist today.

*Treatment options may vary at each location.
Please confirm your desired treatment is offered at your preferred location when scheduling. *Age Restriction.
For patients scheduling who are under 18 years of age (19 in Alabama and Nebraska) please make sure you have permission from your parent or legal guardian to schedule this appointment.  Your parent or legal guardian must accompany you on your initial visit and on certain subsequent visits to provide appropriate informed consent.
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