Hemangioma - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

A hemangioma of skin is a bright red, cherry-colored rubbery outgrowth of skin that contains blood vessels under or over the skin. It can occur as a birthmark at the time of birth or may occur in the first two weeks of birth. In some children, it develops when they are in the womb. A hemangioma may look like a wine-colored, rubbery growth that protrudes out of the skin. It can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly, occurs on the chest, back, face or scalp. 

Hemangiomas may look painful, but they do not cause any pain. Moreover, they are not cancerous, therefore, mostly shrink on their own. The infantile hemangioma- one that occurs in babies seldom needs any treatment because it fades away with time. However, if it interferes with activities like seeing, breathing, or other bodily functions, you may need to get a treatment done. 

Treatment of hemangioma depends on various factors like the place it is growing at, size of the hemangioma, either it is ulcerated or not. On the basis of these factors, the healthcare providers will decide the treatment. 

Symptoms 

The hemangiomas of the skin appear as a red or blue-purple outgrowth that appears as raised lesions or tumors on the skin. In children, it may be present at birth but can also occur in the several first months of life. They can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly occur on the chest, back, face or scalp. Also, they may look painful, but they do not cause any pain. Usually, a child has one hemangioma at a time, but it may occur at more than one place too. 

Hemangioma, during the first year of your child, may look like a spongy, red, rubbery-looking bump that protrudes out of the skin. After that, it mostly reaches the rest phase when it stops growing, and finally, it starts to shrink and disappear. Most of the hemangiomas start at the age of 5 and go away by the age of 10, on their own. However after they vanish, the skin may look slightly discolored or raised. 

Causes 

The hemangioma is a result of the clumping of blood vessels that show up as bright red outgrowth. But what causes the clumping of blood vessels is still unknown. 

Risk factors

Female babies who are born prematurely and are white in the race are at risk of getting a hemangioma. 

Complications 

The complications of hemangioma are rare. However, they may occur if it develops at the sensitive position or grows rapidly. It can cause;

• Bleeding due to ulceration 
• Breathing difficulty if it appears on the nose or throat and is large in size
• Changes in vision if it is on the eye
• Pain and infection if it bursts out

Conclusion 

A hemangioma of skin is a bright red, cherry-colored rubbery outgrowth of skin that contains blood vessels under or over the skin. It can occur as a birthmark at the time of birth or may occur in the first two weeks of birth. In some children, it develops when they are in the womb. A hemangioma may have looked like a wine-colored, rubbery growth that protrudes out of the skin. It can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly occur on the chest, back, face or scalp. Treatment of hemangioma depends on various factors like the place it is growing at, size of the hemangioma, either it is ulcerated or not. On the basis of these factors, the healthcare providers will decide the treatment.