Cause Treatment Of Strawberry Birthmarks
Birthmarks are exactly what the word says, marks present on the skin at birth or shortly after a baby is born. There are many different types of birthmarks, but one of the most common is called hemangioma. They are also referred to as cavernous or capillary hemangioma depending on how deep they are, and nevus vascularis.
What are Strawberry Birthmarks
While there are different types of birthmarks, strawberry birthmarks are normally identified by a number of noticeable features. Some of the most common are:
While most children have only one, some children end up with two or more, and in very rare circumstances, they can be on internal organs as well. It is believed that they affect more girls than boys. They are also more likely to occur in light skinned babies than dark skinned ones.
While there are different types of birthmarks, strawberry birthmarks are normally identified by a number of noticeable features. Some of the most common are:
- They are usually red, lumpy and raised, that is, they are not flat on the baby’s face.
- In many cases they are soft and may actually look like a strawberry, especially because of the color.
- In most cases, they do not appear until around the 1st week after birth. Some appear as late as one month after the baby is born.
While most children have only one, some children end up with two or more, and in very rare circumstances, they can be on internal organs as well. It is believed that they affect more girls than boys. They are also more likely to occur in light skinned babies than dark skinned ones.
What causes Strawberry Birthmarks
It is believed that strawberry birthmarks are more common in premature babies. Statistically, about one in every 20 babies will have strawberry birthmarks. They are the result of a collection of blood vessels or the over growth of blood cells during development of the fetus. This profileration of blood cells results in the red color. Although most are red, hence the name, some can be a deep purple.
It is believed that strawberry birthmarks are more common in premature babies. Statistically, about one in every 20 babies will have strawberry birthmarks. They are the result of a collection of blood vessels or the over growth of blood cells during development of the fetus. This profileration of blood cells results in the red color. Although most are red, hence the name, some can be a deep purple.
Can Strawberry Birthmarks be Prevented
There is no evidence that these birthmarks can be avoided. Unlike some old wives tales, they are not as a result of something the mother saw or touched. In fact some birthmarks seem to have a genetic connection as other members of the family may have the same birthmarks.
There is no evidence that these birthmarks can be avoided. Unlike some old wives tales, they are not as a result of something the mother saw or touched. In fact some birthmarks seem to have a genetic connection as other members of the family may have the same birthmarks.
Treatment of Strawberry Birthmarks
In most cases, strawberry birthmarks are not treated. In fact, most will disappear by themselves by the time the baby reaches 6 months old.
Luckily, if they do not disappear by 6 months, most will do so by the time the child reaches 5-years old. Some may last until the child is around 9 years old. There are a few cases where it never goes away completely. However, some strawberry birthmarks, especially those close to or over the eyes may be removed to prevent vision trouble. Those formed close to or over the nose and mouth can also lead to breathing problems if left untreated. Some parents opt to remove them because the child is uncomfortable with how they look.
If the decision is taken to treat these hemangiomas, the most popular methods are:
• Laser treatment is most often used to reduce these birthmarks. Even if the birthmark disappears on its own, sometimes laser treatment is used to clear up residual redness and speed healing of any resulting lesions.
• Plastic surgery is often used to reduce the size of strawberry birthmarks. Surgery is generally the last resort and is used when the hemangioma is in a dangerous location and nothing esle works. The procedure is also useful in repairing areas where the birthmark goes away by itself but leaves the skin damaged.
• Injections involve the use of corticosteroids to shrink the blood vessels.
• Cryosurgery is used to freeze the birthmark, thus effectively destroying it.
Parents with children with strawberry birthmarks should do the necessary research to determine whether or not to leave it alone or get treatment. In some cases where the birthmark disappears by itself it may still be necessary to get plastic surgery. This is normally needed when the skin where the hemangioma was, is left with a slight mark, or the area is thin and sagging.
There are two schools of thought on treatment options, those who say let it naturally disappear and those who believe its best to start treatment as soon as the condition appears.
In most cases, strawberry birthmarks are not treated. In fact, most will disappear by themselves by the time the baby reaches 6 months old.
Luckily, if they do not disappear by 6 months, most will do so by the time the child reaches 5-years old. Some may last until the child is around 9 years old. There are a few cases where it never goes away completely. However, some strawberry birthmarks, especially those close to or over the eyes may be removed to prevent vision trouble. Those formed close to or over the nose and mouth can also lead to breathing problems if left untreated. Some parents opt to remove them because the child is uncomfortable with how they look.
If the decision is taken to treat these hemangiomas, the most popular methods are:
• Laser treatment is most often used to reduce these birthmarks. Even if the birthmark disappears on its own, sometimes laser treatment is used to clear up residual redness and speed healing of any resulting lesions.
• Plastic surgery is often used to reduce the size of strawberry birthmarks. Surgery is generally the last resort and is used when the hemangioma is in a dangerous location and nothing esle works. The procedure is also useful in repairing areas where the birthmark goes away by itself but leaves the skin damaged.
• Injections involve the use of corticosteroids to shrink the blood vessels.
• Cryosurgery is used to freeze the birthmark, thus effectively destroying it.
Parents with children with strawberry birthmarks should do the necessary research to determine whether or not to leave it alone or get treatment. In some cases where the birthmark disappears by itself it may still be necessary to get plastic surgery. This is normally needed when the skin where the hemangioma was, is left with a slight mark, or the area is thin and sagging.
There are two schools of thought on treatment options, those who say let it naturally disappear and those who believe its best to start treatment as soon as the condition appears.
Cause Treatment Of Strawberry Birthmarks
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