Strawberry birthmark

amother

Tue, Dec 21 2021, 11:35 pm

my 2 month old has a strawberry birthmark on her back. it seems to have grown significantly since we showed it to the Dr at 2 weeks old. I have an appointment next week at the pediatrician and I also booked at the dermatologist. just wondering other people's experiences. do they generally remove them ?

all is good

Tue, Dec 21 2021, 11:42 pm

My daughter was born with one on her cheek. It was very small at first, then grew bigger & redder over abt a year. Since then it's been shrinking & becoming much lighter in color. She's 4 now kah. It may go away completely, but if it's still there when she's a lot older & is not ok with it, we'll probably consider removing it. But I assume each case is different.

Momima

Tue, Dec 21 2021, 11:54 pm

My dd has one on her forehead was told that only remove if it interferes with something else and hurt important body parts. Also was told that if wait for it to go on it's own then won't have scaring, removing would. We went with the motto as long as it doesn't bother her socially we won't touch it. Bh she is 5 it's still there but way lighter and it doesn't bother her one bit.
The dermatologist can give you creams but I've heard that doesn't do much.
Good luck!

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 12:01 am

Hemangiomas should not be removed. Please see a pediatric dermatologist who specializes in hemangiomas (most likely someone affiliated with a major pediatric hospital) for the most up to date and least invasive treatment. My daughter took propranolol for her hemangioma. However, if the hemangioma is only a cosmetic issue and likely to go away on its own, they'll probably recommend not treating it.

amother

Salmon

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 12:48 pm

My almost 2 month old has one on the back of his neck. I'm not planning on doing anything about it. Hoping it will go away or get lighter over time but if not maybe he will just rock the longer hair look. 😋

I'm wondering- do they continue to get bigger and bigger? Or at this point is this probably the size it's going to stay (until it G-d willing goes away...).

amother

Maize

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 12:53 pm

You need a vascular doctor who specializes in these to tell you what type it is. Most pediatricians don't really know, and it's easy to get it wrong (some dermatologists do know). The vascular doctor will look at the type, where on the body it is, and what it's near and tell you if removal is recommended, and if so, how. Most removals don't involve surgical excision- it could be injection, laser, etc.

I took my six week old baby in for a mark on her knee that took three zaps if a laser to take off. And we never had to deal with it again.

amother

Puce

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 1:19 pm

amother [ Maize ] wrote:

This
You want to make sure it’s truly a hemangioma and not a different vascular malformation.
Where are you located op?

mintgreen

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 1:27 pm

My 8 month old baby had one in back of his ear. I'm not planning to do anything because it isn't noticeable. I do think that it's starting to get lighter

amother

Daphne

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 1:36 pm

amother [ Amethyst ] wrote:

Can I ask which country you live In and whether the propranolol helped?

amother

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:24 pm

I'm in lakewood. it's on the center back, over the spine. it's not a cosmetic concern since it's mostly covered but I do notice it growing and becoming more red and that's concerning to me

amother

Puce

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:26 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I'm in lakewood. it's on the center back, over the spine. it's not a cosmetic concern since it's mostly covered but I do notice it growing and becoming more red and that's concerning to me

Does your insurance cover a visit to CHOP?

amother

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:27 pm

amother [ Puce ] wrote:

Does your insurance cover a visit to CHOP?

I have private insurance. I have to check. who do u recommend ?

amother

Amethyst

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:28 pm

US
Yes, it helped tremendously. To my knowledge, at this point it's the gold standard treatment.

amother

Puce

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:28 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I have private insurance. I have to check. who do u recommend ?

https://www.chop.edu/centers-p.....ogram
We see Dr. Adams- she’s top vascular doc in the world- but we have something much more complex than a hemangioma.

amother

Puce

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:32 pm

Op, call Tressa Hobart- she’s out until Monday though and she’ll tell you if you should see a hematologist or dermatologist or they can schedule for both together.
Tressa- 267-426-9188 ext 1

amother

Brown

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:33 pm

I have a baby with a hemangioma right under his eye. Right now we are being monitored every few weeks by an eye specialist and a hemangioma specialist but the plan is to leave it alone. It gets bigger up to a certain point and then shrinks and fades by around 4 years old..

amother

Puce

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:33 pm

amother [ Amethyst ] wrote:

US
Yes, it helped tremendously. To my knowledge, at this point it's the gold standard treatment.

Amethyst, who treated your child?

amother

Maize

Wed, Dec 22 2021, 2:35 pm

It's worth making the appointment now and then thinking about it. My doctor is in Manhattan, if you want. He often recommends removal from an area that will get a lot of friction, and/or if it's encroaching on other needed space.