Q. What is it?
A. It's medical name is haemangioma. It's caused by a proliferation of immature blood vessels and forms a raised red mark resembling a strawberry.
Q. Is it always a red mark?
A. No, sometimes you can get other types which develop deeper under the skin and can look like bluish swellings. These can be called Cavernous haemangiomas.
Q. Are they more common in boys or girls?
A. Boys and girls can have them but they are more common in girls and pre-term babies. Some children can have several marks.
Q. How are they treated?
A. Most disappear by the time a child is five without any treatment. They often grow quite quickly until the baby is one they then become static and shrink over the next few years.
Problems.
Because they are a collection of blood vessels they can bleed. Most bleeds can be dealt with by applying firm pressure with a dressing or wad of tissue.
If the birthmark affects the babies feeding or vision or breathing your GP may refer your baby for treatment. Treatments include, laser therapy, injected corticosteroids, or surgical removal.
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