FAQ

WHAT IS A HEMANGIOMA?

An infantile hemangioma is a benign growth comprised of blood vessels appearing at the surface of the skin at or shortly after birth. It traditionally appears as a red blemish on the skin that can grow in depth and width.

Hemangiomas have been called "strawberry marks" for their red, rubbery appearance.

WHAT IS THE GROWTH EXPECTANCY FOR A HEMANGIOMA?

The proliferative phase refers to continued growth of a hemangioma for the first 5-8 months of infancy. At this point, a resting phase or plateau is reached where no visible changes occur. Involution (shrinking) begins anywhere from 12-18 months where the hemangioma begins to flatten and gradually fade in color. Most hemangiomas will resolve between the ages of 3 and 10.

ARE HEMANGIOMAS COMMON?

Hemangiomas appear in roughly 4-10% of infants. Prevalence is more common in caucasian females.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD'S HEMANGIOMA NEEDS TO BE TREATED?

Consulting with your pediatrician or dermatologist is the best way to assess whether or not treatment is necessary, along with which types would be recommended.

While most hemangiomas will resolve on their own, topical agents, oral beta-blockers, laser treatments and surgery are considered in cases where the location or size of the hemangioma could potentially pose a concern.

FAQ

HOW IS TREATMENT DETERMINED?

Treatments chosen depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and overall health. It will also depend on how severe the hemangioma is along with its size and location. Small hemangiomas often involute on their own and usually do not require treatment.

It is possible that treatment is needed if your child has a hemangioma near his or her eyes or airway. Treatments include, but are not limited to, steroids, blood vessel embolization (injection), laser and/or surgical procedures.

I OFTEN SEE 'HEMANGIOMA' AND 'VASCULAR MALFORMATION' APPEAR IN THE SAME TEXT. ARE THEY THE SAME?

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations are the same in that they are both benign growths that appear at birth or shortly thereafter. They are also comprised of blood vessels growing at the surface of the skin.

They differ in that hemangiomas grow rapidly early on and begin to shrink on their own, often without treatment. Vascular malformations grow slowly throughout life and often will need to be addressed with some sort of treatment.

WHAT CAUSES HEMANGIOMAS TO APPEAR?

While the cause of hemangiomas is unknown, in some cases the gene may be inherited from one or both parents.

ARE THERE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH HEMANGIOMAS?

Absolutely! Having a child with a hemangioma can have social and psychological impacts on you and/or your child. Thanks to social media, there are several Facebook groups and Instagram pages supporting parents and caregivers of hemangioma babies. Your child's doctor is also a great resource to get in touch with other parents.

I'm always happy to share my experiences and listen and learn from others, so please don't hesitate to drop me a line! I encourage other parents to welcome questions and use them as an opportunity to educate. If we respond defensively, we inadvertently stifle people's courage to ask questions. When questions cease to be asked, conversations dissolve. When conversations dissolve, awareness dies. The more we encourage dialogue, the more we can raise awareness on how just how special our babies are.