Hemangiomas

alli83185

our sweet little girl developed a hemangioma on her left cheek about a week after birth. She's now 7 weeks and it's grown to about 1 cm in length. We've been to a dermologist and he was less than helpful in explaining anything about hemangiomas, involution patterns, or treatment options. I've researched a little about the use of Timolol gel for hemangiomas but our dermatologist said that medication is still on trial and not commercially avalible. We live in Southern California; I was wondering if anyone has some insight/wisdom/encouragement.

erinboehme

I have two nieces who had them on their faces and one niece with a giant one on her bum. They were not treated, but went away on their own. Some took longer than others - and I'm talking about at least a year.

VioletandRose

My daughter has a hemangioma on her calf/ankle. It is quite large, about 3 inches high and wraps around her leg about 3/4 of the way. She's 4 weeks old, it started out looking like a light black & blue mark when she was born, now it is dark pink. Right now it is flat, not raised. Her ped wants her to see a dermatologist due to it's size, to see how deep it goes, but seems fairly confident that it will not pose a problem, as it's not near an eye or an airway. The birthmark has already grown/gotten darker a good deal since birth. I was told it will grow for several months, then get smaller (involute) and should disappear by school age. There are topical medications that can be given, or if necessary, IV treatment with beta blockers. Apparently it was discovered that beta blockers can aid in shrinking hemangiomas. That would require a hospital stay for a few days. 

midge519

My daughter had one on her back. At about 18 months it suddenly "grew" 2cm in 3 months so we were sent to a dermatologist. At the time my ex was in the military so we went to Balboa Hospital in San Diego and he explained that they have a life cycle so to speak. They show up in the first six months usually and will grow until about a year year and a half. At that point they will stretch will the body but shouldn't actually grow. Usually around 5-10 years old they will turn from red to like a violet and the body will start to recirculate the blood back into their body and they will slowly go away. He said typically they want them to go away on their own, if they aren't posing risks, because the marks left behind are almost always less than a surgery will leave. My daughter is now almost 6 and hers is almost completely gone.

megggles

As someone mentioned above, treatment is usually with beta blockers and therefore not typically recommended in cases where parents want it treated for cosmetic reasons. When the risks of the hemangioma outweigh the risks of putting a baby on beta blockers, only then will they usually treat.

My baby also has one on her face and I know what a bummer it is to have this beautiful baby with a bright red spot on her perfect little face. Hang in there!

icedrop10

My advice is to get a second opinion. I am in San Diego and my LO has a hemangioma on her forehead.  Her dermatologist at Kaiser has had experience treating hemangiomas and was not at all hesitant in prescribing the Timolol drops because of its location on her face.  We picked up the Timolol drops that same day at the pharmacy.  The drops are only really effective when the hemangioma is small so it's important to start treatment early.  We simply place 2 drops on her hemangioma in the morning and evening.  The progress is slow but noticeable and we have not encountered any side effects.  Even her pediatrician says it's safe.  

alli83185

Thank you all for your input. I was so disappointed with our dermatology appointment. The only treatment option he gave us was laser. Of course I'm not going to do laser treatment on my 8week old! It has grown and I am concerned as its 1cm away from her eye. I'm familiar with Tomolol but my doctor told us he can't prescribe it to us because it's still being researched. I don't think I believe him...

MrsL32

My DD has one as well, on her back right over her spine. She has an u/s on Monday to make sure it's not attached to her spine, and we saw a dermatologist last week. It sounds like meds might be an option depending on how it grows, but for now we are just monitoring it.