Treatment for birthmarks

A birthmark is diagnosed based on appearance and therefore diagnostic tests are not usually needed. While the vast majority of hemangiomas will start to shrink on their own after one year, some may leave the skin deformed or stretched. In these cases, plastic surgery may be an option to improve the appearance of the distorted [...]

Complications of birthmarks

Some hemangiomas can be life-threatening or cause severe problems. They may interfere with eating, breathing or eyesight and need to be treated.
Occasionally, a hemangioma can break down and develop a sore. This can lead to pain, bleeding, scarring or infection. Depending on where the hemangioma is located, it may interfere with a child’s vision, breathing, [...]

Causes and risk factors of birthmarks

A birthmark is an abnormally dense group of extra blood vessels. It is not clear what causes the blood vessels to group together. Some research suggests a link between birthmarks and certain proteins produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
Risk factors of birthmarks
Birthmarks are more common among females than males. They are reported to be more [...]

Different types of hemangiomas

There are three main types:

A superficial hemangioma (strawberry mark) is red and appears on the surface of the skin.
A deep hemangioma is usually blue or purple in color and occurs deeper in the skin.
A mixed hemangioma has both superficial and deep parts.

The pediatrician will monitor the hemangioma during routine checkups. Contact the child’s doctor if [...]

Hemangiomas

Birthmarks that are pink or red are commonly capillary hemangiomas. They are a collection of tiny blood vessels. In newborns, they are most evident when the baby cries. Common locations are on the mid-forehead, the eyelids, just above the nose, between the nose and the upper lip, and on the nape of the neck. These [...]

What Are Birthmarks? What Is A Hemangioma?

A birthmark is a persistent visible mark on the skin that is evident at birth or shortly after. The exact cause of most birthmarks is unknown. Some are thought to be the result of a localized imbalance in factors controlling the development of blood vessels.