Hemangioma

Hemangiomas are skin lesions that mainly appear in newborns. They occur when small blood vessels in the skin multiply at an abnormal rate and cluster together. A hemangioma may appear as a bright red patch or bump on the baby's skin. In rare cases, hemangiomas may also form inside the body, for example, on the liver or in the respiratory tract.

Hemangiomas are common skin growths. They are benign and non-cancerous. They are more common in girls than in boys.

Hemangiomas form at birth or in the first few weeks of life. They grow rapidly in size over the first few months, then remain stable until the age of 1. They gradually shrink and fade by age 5 to 10 and may disappear completely or leave a small scar.

Hemangiomas don't cause pain unless they become infected, break open, or bleed.

Causes and triggers

The cause of hemangiomas is unknown. There is no way to prevent them. What's more, if a parent had a hemangioma as a baby, that doesn't necessarily mean their child will too, as hemangiomas are not hereditary.

Treatment

In most cases, hemangiomas do not require treatment. They usually go away on their own over time. Treatment may be required if the hemangioma:

• Causes functional issues such as problems with vision, breathing, hearing, diaper changes, or feeding
• Causes cosmetic issues (e.g. if the hemangioma grows too large and causes problems for the child)
• Opens up and forms a wound (also known as ulceration)
• Becomes infected

Treatment also depends on the location and size of the hemangioma. It involves removing or reducing the size of the hemangioma. Treatment options include the following:

• Medication applied directly to the hemangioma, particularly if the hemangioma is small
• Oral medication, in more severe cases
• Injected medication directly into the hemangioma
• Surgery
• Laser treatment

When should I see a health care professional?

Consult your health care provider to confirm the diagnosis. They will monitor the hemangioma through follow-up appointments. In addition, you should consult your health care provider if your child's hemangioma:

• Shows signs of infection:
  • Pain
  • Unusual redness (not typical for a hemangioma)
  • Pus
  • Fever
• Forms a wound or opening
• Bleeds
• Affects bodily functions such as vision or breathing
• Causes issues with feeding or diaper changes
• Causes cosmetic issues