Hemangiomas
Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumors in infants, often appearing as a bright red or bluish raised area on the skin. They typically begin to show up within the first few weeks of life and go through a growth phase for several months before slowly shrinking over time. Most hemangiomas are harmless and resolve on their own, but some can cause problems depending on their size, location or rate of growth.
The signs and symptoms of hemangiomas vary. They may appear on the skin’s surface (superficial), deeper under the skin (deep) or both. Parents might notice a red spot growing rapidly often on the head, neck or face. Hemangiomas can sometimes interfere with important functions if they’re located near the eyes, nose, mouth or airway. In rare cases, they may ulcerate (break down) and become painful, infected or bleed.
If a hemangioma is growing rapidly, located in a sensitive area on the head and neck or causing functional problems our team at ENT for Kids can help. The workup typically includes a physical exam, and in some cases imaging such as ultrasound or MRI to determine the depth and extent of the lesion. The first-line treatment is oral propranolol, a beta-blocker medication that can significantly reduce the size and color of the hemangioma. This medication is generally safe and well-tolerated, but treatment is monitored closely with follow-up visits and sometimes heart monitoring in young infants.
Other management options with our physicians include pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy, which can help lighten residual redness or treat ulcerated hemangiomas and surgery in rare cases where the lesion doesn’t shrink well on its own or leaves behind extra tissue. With timely evaluation and proper management, most children with infantile hemangiomas do very well.
If your baby develops a rapidly growing red or bluish birthmark, please reach out to us at ENT for Kids to arrange a consultation.