Strawberry Hemangioma on Infants

When a baby develops a strawberry hemangioma, parents are often clueless as to what this growth is and what can be done about it.

A strawberry hemangioma is just one type of hemangioma, since these growths can actually appear in a variety of colors. The "strawberry" color is aptly named for the red appearance of this growth that commonly appears shortly after an infant's birth.

What causes a strawberry hemangioma? The growths are actually the result of dividing blood vessel cells. Typically, a hemangioma grows the fastest in the first year of life. This strawberry growth is located in the top layer of the skin, as opposed to other hemangiomas which can develop in deeper skin layers.

Most parents are unfamiliar with the term "hemangioma", and they typically have numerous questions regarding this skin anomaly.

• Are hemangiomas serious? In most cases, hemangiomas are not serious. Most only affect the skin, and they often resolve on their own after a few years. However, some children develop multiple hemangiomas that can actually affect internal organs. A child may also develop extra vascular tissue with a deeper hemangioma which could cause platelet problems or anemia. If this is the case for your child, your pediatrician will monitor him or her closely.
• Can a child have more than one strawberry hemangioma? In most cases, a baby will only develop one hemangioma, although some children have a combination of strawberry and cavernous hemangiomas, which are hemangiomas located deeper into the skin.
• Is a port wine stain a hemangioma? No. A port wine stain is a birthmark created by malformed and dilated blood vessels.
• How often do hemangiomas occur? They are commonly found in approximately one in every 50 babies.
• Are hemangiomas genetic? While hemangiomas are often found in several members of the same family, they are also more common in females than in males. They are more common in children with lighter skin as well.
• Will a strawberry hemangioma disappear? Strawberry hemangiomas often appear in an infant's first month of life, but by the time a child reaches school age, they typically disappear. In most cases, hemangiomas disappear by the second of third year of life.
• Is a hemangioma painful? Usually, there is no pain involved with these growths.

Strawberry hemangiomas are easily identified because of their red or purple appearance. These growths usually begin developing as small red dots commonly found on the upper torso or head and surrounded by a pale halo. As they grow, they take on a soft, raised shape. They are usually diagnosed through a physical exam, although some pediatricians prefer to use a blood test to make any further diagnoses.

If your child develops a hemangioma, should he or she be treated? In most cases, the answer is no. The growth will most likely disappear on its own. However, if the hemangioma becomes a threat to his or her health, there are several treatment options.

• Laser surgery-Physicians sometimes use laser surgery to stunt a hemangioma's growth or to remove it altogether.
• Corticosteroids-Another treatment involves steroid injection treatments. Beta blockers are sometimes used as well.

Before considering any type of treatment for your child's hemangioma, talk frankly with your doctor and get all the facts. In most cases, a strawberry hemangioma will disappear on its own. Unless it is hindering your child's vision or causing some other type of medical problem, this is the best scenario. However, if the condition could causes potential health issues, your doctor will continue to monitor its growth and provide you with any recommendations regarding its removal.

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