Hemangioma - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
By ScanSkinAI Editorial Team✓ Reviewed for medical safetyLast updated June 2026
A bright red birthmark that appears at birth or in the first weeks of life. It's made up of extra blood vessels in the skin. Infantile hemangiomas typically grow during the first year and then gradually shrink and fade.
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Quick Answer
A hemangioma is a common, bright red birthmark made of extra blood vessels in the skin. Often called a strawberry mark, it usually appears shortly after birth. These birthmarks typically undergo a rapid growth phase during a baby's first year, followed by a slow shrinking process that can take a few years. Most hemangiomas are harmless and fade away entirely on their own without treatment. However, if the birthmark is very large, starts to break open, or is near the eyes, mouth, or airway, medical treatment is necessary.
Clinical Context
Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of infancy, affecting 4-5% of infants. They undergo a characteristic lifecycle: appearing in the first weeks of life, growing rapidly until 6-12 months (proliferative phase), then slowly involuting over 3-10 years. While most require no treatment, about 10-15% need intervention due to location, size, or complications. Propranolol has revolutionized treatment for high-risk hemangiomas.
Symptoms
- Bright red, rubbery bump (superficial)
- Appears at birth or first weeks of life
- Rapid growth during first 6-12 months
- May be raised or flat
- Bluish color if deeper in skin
- Slow fading over years
Severity & Progression
Causes & Risk Factors
- Abnormal blood vessel growth
- More common in premature babies
- More common in girls
- Genetics may play a role
- Placental abnormalities linked
Treatment & Management
Most hemangiomas require only observation ("wait and watch") as they will naturally regress. High-risk hemangiomas - those affecting vision, breathing, or feeding, very large, ulcerated, or significantly disfiguring - require early treatment. Oral propranolol is now the first-line treatment and is remarkably effective at slowing growth and promoting regression. Topical timolol may help smaller, superficial lesions. Pulsed dye laser treats residual skin changes. Surgery is reserved for complications or residual tissue after involution.
- Often no treatment needed (observation)
- Beta-blockers (oral propranolol - first line)
- Topical timolol for superficial lesions
- Pulsed dye laser for residual changes
- Corticosteroids (now rarely used)
- Surgery for complications or residual tissue
Red Flags & Complications
Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Ulceration (painful, can scar)
- Vision obstruction (amblyopia)
- Airway obstruction (subglottic hemangiomas)
- Disfigurement
- PHACE syndrome (large facial hemangiomas)
- Heart failure (large or hepatic hemangiomas)
Self-Care Tips
- Take photos to monitor growth
- Protect from trauma
- Keep ulcerated areas clean
- Use petroleum jelly on ulcerated lesions
When to See a Doctor
If hemangioma interferes with vision, breathing, or feeding, if it becomes ulcerated, if it's very large, or if located on the face
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a hemangioma look like when it first appears?
It usually appears in the first few weeks of life as a bright red, rubbery bump on the skin's surface. If the extra blood vessels are deeper in the skin, the mark might look somewhat flat or have a bluish tint. They often start small but can grow surprisingly fast during your baby's first six to twelve months before eventually slowing down.
What causes a baby to develop a hemangioma?
Hemangiomas occur due to an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin, though doctors do not completely understand why this happens. We do know they are not caused by anything a mother did during pregnancy. They are most common in girls, twins, premature infants, and babies with a low birth weight. Genetics and certain placental abnormalities might also play a role.
Will my child need treatment for their birthmark?
Most children will not need any treatment at all. Doctors usually recommend a watch and wait approach because these birthmarks naturally shrink and fade over several years. However, treatment is needed about ten to fifteen percent of the time. If the hemangioma is causing complications, your doctor might prescribe oral propranolol, which is highly effective at slowing growth, or topical medications.
How long does it take for a strawberry mark to go away?
The lifecycle of a hemangioma is distinct. After the rapid growth phase during the first year of life, the birthmark enters a resting phase, followed by a slow shrinking period called involution. This fading process takes time, typically happening gradually over three to ten years. Once fully faded, most children only have minor skin color changes or none at all.
When should I be worried about a hemangioma?
You should contact a doctor if the birthmark is located in an area where it could interfere with vision, breathing, or feeding. You also need to seek medical care if the skin over the hemangioma breaks open and forms a painful ulcer, which can lead to scarring. Very large, rapidly growing marks, or those covering a large part of the face, also need prompt evaluation.
Is a hemangioma a type of skin cancer?
No, hemangiomas are completely benign, meaning they are non-cancerous tumors. It is very common for parents to worry when they see a rapidly growing lump on their new baby, but a hemangioma is simply a cluster of extra blood vessels. They do not spread like cancer or pose a threat to your baby's general health unless they physically block an essential function like sight or breathing.
How should I care for my baby's hemangioma at home?
The best home care is simply protecting the area from scratches or trauma, which could cause bleeding. It is also helpful to take clear photos of the birthmark regularly to track its growth for your doctor. If the skin does break down or ulcerate, gently keep the area clean and apply petroleum jelly to help it heal, following any specific wound-care instructions from your care team.
How can ScanSkinAI help with monitoring my baby's hemangioma?
ScanSkinAI can be used as a helpful screening aid to log and track visual changes in your baby's birthmark over time. You can use it to securely evaluate photos of the hemangioma to share with your pediatrician during check-ups. However, please remember that our AI is an educational tool, not a diagnostic one. It cannot replace a professional medical assessment or prescribe necessary treatments.
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Medical References
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.