Understanding infantile hemangiomas: A guide for new parents
The Bachelor‘s Irena Srbinovska and Locky Gilbert’s newborn daughter, Ava, appears to have one on her forehead.
Also known as strawberry naevus birthmarks or capillary haemangiomas, infantile hemangiomas are a common, benign (harmless) vascular tumour that typically appears in babies shortly after birth.
It appears that The Bachelor’s Irena Srbinovska and Locky Gilbert’s newborn daughter, Ava, has a little hemangioma on her forehead.
Although they might look like a cause for concern at first, hemangiomas are generally harmless and often require no treatment at all.
These birthmarks usually show up as bright red, raised bumps, looking a lot like a strawberry. While they can show up anywhere on the body, they are most often found on the face, scalp, chest or back.
The good news is that most infantile hemangiomas don’t cause any problems and tend to shrink and fade away on their own as the child grows.
What causes infantile hemangiomas?
The exact cause of these hemangiomas isn’t well understood, but they stem from an abnormal growth of blood vessels.
Doctors usually diagnose them based on their appearance, but sometimes they might use imaging like ultrasound or MRI to get a better idea of the hemangioma’s extent, especially if it’s in a tricky spot.
After a year the marks usually start to decrease in size. They usually disappear by the time children are 10 years old, but they can leave loose skin in their place.
How are infantile hemangiomas treated?
Most childhood hemangiomas won’t require treatment, but if one’s big or in a tricky spot like over an eye, nose, lips, or genitals, your child’s pediatrician or specialist will want to check it regularly, especially during the first year, when the brthmark is growing.
The frequency of medical visits depends on its size, location, and any associated issues. If the hemangioma starts causing problems, treatment may be suggested.
Your little one might need to take oral beta blocker medicine to halt growth and avoid complications. Sometimes, for those early or thin marks, a beta blocker gel can do the trick right on the skin.
Laser treatment is another option, especially if the hemangioma is treated early. But this can be uncomfortable and your child may need a few sessions to get the job done.
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