Patient's question:
My friend had a baby half a month ago. Later, she heard that the baby had a hemangioma in their mouth. She didn't expect such a disease to appear in someone around her, and it made her very anxious. Could you please ask the experts if this hemangioma is serious and how it should be treated?Doctor's answer:
Hello, there are 5 common types of hemangiomas, not all of which require treatment. Some will resolve on their own. Please review the following descriptions to determine which type your baby has, and then proceed with appropriate treatment.Guiding Suggestions:
Orange Spot: Present at birth, with varying sizes, appearing orange-red or pale red, not elevated above the skin surface. The color fades upon light pressure and darkens during crying. Orange spots are commonly found on the forehead, upper eyelids, and occipital region. They usually resolve on their own within a few months after birth and do not require treatment.
Red Nevus (Port Wine Stain): Also known as a port wine stain. Present at birth, appearing as pale red or dark red patches, which do not fade under pressure and are not elevated above the skin surface. Located in the dermal layer, composed of a network of capillaries. After birth, red nevi grow proportionally with the body but do not expand further. They cannot resolve on their own. While they primarily affect appearance, they pose no other harm. Cryotherapy may be used if necessary.
Capillary Hemangioma: Most commonly found on the skin, with the highest prevalence on the occipital region, face, limbs, and back. Many appear on the lips and tongue. Capillary hemangiomas vary in size, ranging from small (a few millimeters) and slightly elevated to large enough to cover a significant portion of the face or limbs. They are usually present at birth and grow rapidly within the first 6 months, then gradually stop growing after 1-2 years. They affect appearance and carry the risk of severe bleeding if damaged. Parents should monitor them closely. If the hemangioma is small, grows slowly, and is not in a exposed area, it may resolve on its own after stopping growth. If it grows rapidly and significantly affects appearance, immediate treatment should be considered, such as isotopic ointment application.
Cavernous Hemangioma: Can occur in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, or even internal organs like the liver and kidneys. They appear purplish-red, with dilated, tortuous small veins around them. They feel soft and elastic, shrinking under pressure and returning to normal after releasing pressure. This type of hemangioma grows with the infant's age and may become very large and deep, severely damaging appearance and disrupting normal tissue. Once diagnosed, immediate treatment is required, such as injection with sclerosing agents or surgical excision.
Strawberry Hemangioma: Most commonly found on the limbs, with many branching, dilated blood vessels on the surface and surrounding area, appearing like a strawberry. The affected skin may be dark red or purplish, and sometimes a pulsating blood vessel or vascular murmur can be felt. Early surgery is recommended for this type of hemangioma. Elastic bandages can also be used to wrap the limbs to alleviate symptoms such as pain.
Lifestyle Care:
We hope your child grows up healthy!