Hemangiomas are red bumps that grow on the baby's skin These lumps are formed from a collection of blood vessels that grow abnormally and become one.
Hemangiomas are classified as birthmarks that often appear on the face, neck, scalp, chest, and back of children aged 18 months and under. Hemangiomas are nothing to worry about, because they are not cancerous and can go away on their own. However, treatment is needed if the lump causes vision and breathing problems.
In addition to the skin, hemangiomas can also grow on bones, muscles, or organs in the body. This article only discusses hemangiomas that grow on the skin.
Symptoms of Hemangioma
Hemangiomas are red, rubbery lumps that can grow anywhere, including the face, neck, scalp, chest, back, and even the baby's eyes. The lump that forms tends to be only one, except in twins, the lump can be more than one.
Hemangiomas can appear at birth or months later, and grow rapidly until they protrude into the skin. Then, the hemangioma will shrink slowly.
Most hemangiomas disappear by the time the child is 5-10 years old. However, the color of the skin on the former hemangioma will still be different from the color of the surrounding skin.
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Any lump that appears on the baby's body needs to be consulted by a pediatrician, to ensure that the lump is not caused by a dangerous condition.
Take your child to the doctor immediately if the hemangioma ruptures or gets injured, as this can cause bleeding and infection.
In addition, hemangiomas can cause problems with vision, hearing, breathing, and smooth bowel movements in children, although this is rare. Immediately consult a doctor if these symptoms appear.
Causes of Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas form when tiny blood vessels grow abnormally, and gather together. It is not known what triggers this condition, but there are several factors that can increase the risk of hemangiomas, namely:
- Female gender
- Born prematurely
- Have a low birth weight
- Experiencing developmental disorders while in the womb
- Having a genetic disorder that runs in the family
Diagnosis of Hemangioma
Hemangiomas can be identified only through a physical examination. However, if the lump looks abnormal or causes sores, the doctor will perform a blood test or examine a tissue sample for the hemangioma.
If there is a suspicion that the lump is caused by another condition, the pediatrician may order additional tests, such as a Doppler ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. This additional examination can also be done to see how deep the hemangioma grows under the skin.
Hemangioma Treatment
Most hemangiomas don't need to be treated, especially if they don't cause any symptoms other than a lump. This is because the hemangioma will go away on its own, as the baby grows.
If the hemangioma causes problems, such as impaired vision or breathing problems, and causes sores, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Beta blockersFor severe hemangiomas, doctors will prescribe beta-blocking drugs in the form of a drink, such as propranolol.
- CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, is used by patients who do not respond to beta-blocking drugs. This drug can be given as a tablet, topically, or by injection directly into the hemangioma.
- VincristineDoctors only give medicine vincristine if the hemangioma causes problems with the baby's vision or breathing. This drug is given by injection every month.
In addition to drugs, hemangiomas can be treated with laser therapy. This method is only used if the hemangioma is large enough to cause pain.