April 17, 2015
A hemangioma is a buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs that is not normal.
Back to TopAlternative Names
Cavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus
Back to TopSymptoms
- A red to reddish-purple, raised sore (lesion) on the skin
- A massive, raised tumor with blood vessels
Most hemangiomas are on the face and neck.
Back to TopExams and Tests
A hemangioma may occur with other rare conditions. You may need other tests to check for related problems.
Back to TopTreatment
Superficial or "strawberry" hemangiomas may not need treatment. They often go away their own, the appearance of the skin returns to normal. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove the small vessels.
Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and block vision can be treated with lasers or steroid injections to shrink the mass. This allows vision to develop normally. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas may be treated with steroids either as oral medicines or injections into the hemangioma.
Taking beta-blocker medicines such as propranolol may also help reduce the size of a hemangioma.
Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)
Small, superficial hemangiomas often disappear on their own. About half go away by age 5, and almost all disappear by age 9.
Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional
All birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by the health care provider during a regular exam.
Hemangiomas of the eyelid may cause problems with vision must be treated soon after birth. Hemangiomas that interfere with eating or breathing also need to be treated early.
Call your doctor if a hemangioma is bleeding or develops a sore.
Back to TopPrevention
There is no known way to prevent hemangiomas.
Back to TopReferences
Habif TP. Vascular tumors and malformations. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology . 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 23.
Morelli JG. Vascular Disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 642.
MOST POPULAR - HEALTH
- Well: The Look of Love Is in the Dog’s Eyes
- Well: The Right Dose of Exercise for a Longer Life
- Irwin Schatz, 83, Rare Critic of Tuskegee Study, Is Dead
- Blood Test Shows Promise as Alternative to Cancer Biopsy
- Sex, Dementia and a Husband on Trial at Age 78
- Well: Treating Sleep Apnea May Ward Off Memory Decline
- Well: Ask Well: Do I Need an Annual Physical?
- The New Old Age: The Tangle of Coordinated Health Care
- Reactions: A Lively Comment Discussion About Dementia and Sex
- Levi Watkins, 70, Dies; Pioneering Heart Surgeon Pushed Civil Rights