What is it?

(This is information I received at our first dermatologist appointment. I am posting it as a way to educate. 

It is not to be used as medical advice. Please see a professional to answer questions or receive care.)

What is a hemangioma?

A benign tumor of dilated blood vessels. It is also the most common tumor in infants. 

How many children are affected?

In Caucasians, hemangiomas are seen in 1-2.5% of newborns and it increases to 10-12% by one year of age. In African-Americans, 1.4%. Females are affected more often than 3:1. 

How long does it last?

Hemangiomas grow from birth to 6 months (rare cases to 20 months). Growth can happen very quickly. It usually starts to shrink at 6 to 18 months. It can last up to 5 years. Shrinking is a very slow process. The cycle is rapid growth first 6-8 months, slowing down 6-12 months, and shrinking 12-18 months. 

When does a hemangioma need surgery?

All hemangiomas are different (different sizes, different areas of the body) so there are different results. Usually you wait for it to shrink before evaluating for surgery. The final appearance can be normal skin or excess sagging skin. Surgery can be considered before the child starts school to minimize teasing. 

What about Rose?

Rose's hemangioma started a few weeks after birth. It began very small and then grew larger. At about six months we noticed that the hemangioma had stopped growing but was not shrinking. For Rose it has affected her left ear (completely closing the canal) and caused drooping in her left eye. She has had a few lesions develop in the crease between her ear and head. We provided relief by being careful to not pull on her ear while dressing her and put vaseline in the crease. Rose has a combination of a surface hemangioma and deep hemangioma affecting her gland below her ear. Further research is continuing but it is thought that when the body does not have enough oxygen in certain areas, it will send blood vessels to increase the oxygen. However, when the baby is born, the body doesn't have an "off" switch and so it continues growth.