A strawberry mark, or a hemangioma, can be startling when it begins to grow on your child. Hemangiomas are a noncancerous growth of blood vessels that can develop anywhere on your child. While most hemangiomas require no treatment, there may be a time when a birthmark becomes uncomfortable or is in an area that is sensitive. While a red birthmark may be no big deal on your child's leg, it may be a bigger problem if the birthmark is across your child's face. Talk with your child's doctor if you are concerned about a birthmark that is developing in order to discuss your treatment or removal options.

The Formation of Hemangiomas

Skin hemangiomas will form on the top layer of skin or on the fatty layer below the skin. They may look like red spots at first, and over time, they can become raised. There is nothing you could have done differently to prevent this formation. Medication can be used to slow the growth of the birthmark. You can also leave it alone, or you can talk with a surgeon about having the birthmark removed. Most birthmarks of this type will eventually fade in color and won't pose any sort of cosmetic problem for your child.

When a Hemangioma is Disfiguring

One of the most common surgical sites to remove hemangiomas is the face. When your child develops a birthmark that is disfiguring, this is when you want to be aggressive about treatment. While it may not bother you if your child has a birthmark across their cheek, it's important to take into consideration what this might do to your child over time. Hemangiomas grow, and this means you can't completely predict what it will look like as your child gets older. Surgical removal is an effective way to reduce any disfiguring that may be caused. You'll want to talk with your doctor about the benefits of removal and what the scar may look like.

Hemangiomas or strawberry marks are relatively common, and they mostly not dangerous for the person who has them. When the birthmark is in a sensitive area, such as on the face, it is worth consulting with a surgeon to discuss removal. When your child's birthmark gets easily irritated or infected, it is also important to consider removal. As your child gets older, it may become more difficult to remove a birthmark without causing more extensive scarring.