1. It's a Bright Red Birthmark
A strawberry hemangioma may not even be visible when a baby is born. It's called a birthmark, but most of the time, it doesn't appear until the new baby has reached a month old or even two months old. It can also keep increasing in size for several months. It's bright red in coloring, so it's easy to see where the "strawberry" in the name comes from. Even though up to 3% of babies are born with or develop a strawberry hemangiomas, more baby girls than boys have these bright red birthmarks.
2. Shapes Will Vary in Strawberry Hemangiomas
The shape of the strawberry hemangiomas can vary from baby to baby. It's easy for doctors to tell parents what it is quickly, as it's very distinguishable, being slightly raised from the surface of the skin with very clear or defined edges. It forms because blood vessels pile up together or group in a close proximity right under the skin. Although it can appear anywhere on the body, it's most often discovered on areas of the face, on parts of the chest, across the back and even found through the hair into the scalp area.
3. Give It Time and It'll Be Gone
Parents can be relieved to know that the health risks of the strawberry hemangioma are low if any. There's really no treatment required. It's flat when it's first noticed and grows to its peak size of about two to three inches. Most of these strawberry hemangiomas fade away by the time a child turns five but sometimes as late as nine years old.
4. Better Call the Doctor
Occasionally, a strawberry hemangioma might shrink too quickly and could leave a raw sore, which can bleed or become infected. This situation requires the attention of a doctor. If one is located around your child's eyes, ears and nasal area, your doctor needs to monitor the growth size to make sure that it is not causing any vision, hearing or breathing problems for your child.
5. Talk to Your Doctor About Options
If a strawberry hemangioma is particularly large, in a location that is going to interfere with the formation of your child's features or is causing emotional distress to your child, parents may discuss options with a doctor. There are some risks involved in using laser surgeries or corticosteroid medications, so the pros and cons of doing anything about it should be discussed with your doctor.
