Hemangioma on Infants and Children

Do you have red wine or strawberry colored dark protruding patches on your skin? Well, these patches are probably hemangiomas. Many infants suffer from this condition immediately after birth. Hemangiomas on infants and children can be very common but usually they do not pose any threat. Since they are benign, it is not necessary to treat them unless they are in the location that can impair vision. However treatments are available for whom they are aesthetic concern.
Want to know more about hemangiomas? Continue reading to know about this condition, its causes and treatments.

What are hemangiomas?

A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels on or under the surface of the skin. It may look like strawberry and this is the reason that it’s usually known as strawberry birthmark. These marks most frequently appear on the face, neck and ears. Hemagiomas are of two types depending on where they are formed. These types are:

·         Capillary hemangiomas – they appear on the outermost layers of the skin and may not require treatment.

·         Carvenous hemangiomas – they are formed in deeper layers of skin and should be treated if they are interfering with eyesight and breathing or are unsightly.

These marks look painful but hardly cause any discomfort. After a short period of rapid growth, they usually shrink and fade overtime. However, it may not be the case for every infant or child.
Hemangiomas usually develop during infancy and both boys and girls can have them. They are however more common in:

·         Girls

·         Infants having low birth weight

·         Premature infants

·         Infants with Caucasian background

In some cases, these birthmarks are hereditary. However, they may also occur spontaneously as the exact cause is not known.

Treatments for hemangiomas

Corticosteroids and laser therapy are usually used to treat hemangiomas. Read on to know how these treatments work.

Corticosteroids

If hemangioma is growing quickly, corticosteroids help slow or stop their growth. Corticosteroids can be applied topically, taken orally or injected into the skin. Corticosteroid treatment can treat hemangiomas but certain serious side effects are associated with it.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is considered the most helpful treatment for hemangiomas. It can be used to remove large hemangioma that is uncomfortable. Laser treatments can also be used to completely diminish the remains of hemangiomas.

How the procedure is performed?

Laser treatment for hemangiomas is a simple treatment that is performed on outpatient basis. The steps of the procedure include:

·         Application of topical anesthetic – topical anesthetic or numbing cream is applied on the treatment area to minimize the discomfort. The treatment may also be performed without anesthetic depending the age of the candidate and location and size of lesion.

·         Introducing laser beam – then laser beam is introduced to the skin, which penetrates the skin and targets the lesion. Heat energy from laser breaks down the lesion, reduces inflammation and stimulates healing process in the skin.

·         Application of cooling gel – Finally cooling gel is applied on the treated area to minimize the discomfort.