Hemangioma

This is a raised, rubbery bump on the skin. You might see it at birth, or it may form soon after a baby is born. It can be bright red or purplish, and it can be very large. Hemangiomas often develop on the face or neck, but they form on other places, too.

Causes

What causes a hemangioma? It happens when blood vessels clump together in the skin. We don't know why the blood vessels do this.

Symptoms

If a hemangioma forms after birth, it may begin as a flat red mark on the skin. Then, it starts to grow and change. It becomes spongy, and sticks out from the skin. Eventually it stops growing. In most cases, a hemangioma slowly shrinks and disappears with time. This usually happens by the time a child reaches five to ten years of age.

Treatment

Because hemangiomas tend to go away on their own, they usually don't need treatment. But some interfere with vision or breathing, or cause some other problem. And they can be embarrassing. These hemangiomas are treated with medications or with laser surgery. For more info, talk to your doctor.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.