BIRTHMARK EVALUATION & TREATMENT SPECIALIST IN OMAHA 

WHAT IS SKIN HEMANGIOMA?

SKIN HEMANGIOMA

A skin hemangioma is a birthmark that is usually found on newborns and infants but can occur in adults. They are often bright red but can be flat bumps, patches, faint red marks, or even bluish marks. They usually grow quickly and fade slowly, but they can go away on their own. For infants, many hemangiomas will fade by the time a child is 5 years old, but sometimes that won’t happen until they are 10 years old. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE OR MY BABY HAS  SKIN HEMANGIOMA?

Usually, the bumps are easily visible on the skin and can appear at birth. However, most form in the first month of life. The red to blue bumps are commonly flush with the skin or slightly elevated and frequently on the face, scalp, chest, or back. 

The best way to know for sure if your infant has skin hemangioma, versus another vascular malformation, is to schedule an appointment with our birthmark evaluation and treatment specialists in Omaha. 

SKIN HEMANGIOMA CAUSES

Their cause isn’t known, but they are common, benign (not cancerous), and are caused by extra blood vessels in the skin. Hemangiomas are not hereditary, or passed down from the parents, and little is understood about why they form. 

SKIN HEMANGIOMA TREATMENT IN OMAHA

While very few hemangiomas become cancerous, some can be disfiguring, causing patients to seek cosmetic care. The location of the mark can impede important bodily functions, like vision, hearing, or breathing. They also may bleed or become sores if bumped or injured; all of which are causes to visit a doctor. 

Our birthmark evaluation and treatment specialists at Omaha’s MOD Dermatology will ask about the history of the lesion, including when it formed and how it has changed over time, and if there is any pain associated with it. While most skin hemangiomas can be diagnosed visually, some may need biopsy or blood tests. 

The birthmarks can also be confused with other vascular malformations. And because treatment can vary significantly depending on the lesion type, a doctor’s examination is important. Some treatment options include observation, medications like beta blockers or anti-inflammatories, or laser treatments. Our Omaha birthmark evaluation and treatment specialists can diagnose and help with your little one’s skin hemangioma. 

Schedule an appointment today with MOD Dermatology to determine which skin hemangioma treatment at our Omaha clinic is right for you or your child.