(See also Overview of Skin Growths Overview of Skin Growths Cells of the skin and underlying tissue may accumulate and cause growths. Growths may be raised or flat and range in color from dark brown or black to skin-colored to red. They may be present... read more and Overview of Growths and Malformations of the Vessels Overview of Growths and Malformations of the Vessels Growths and malformations of the vessels (angiomas) are collections of abnormally dense blood or lymph vessels, usually located in and below the skin, that cause red or purple discolorations... read more .)
Hemangiomas of infancy are very common. Hemangiomas also develop during middle age and later, especially on the trunk.
Hemangiomas of infancy (also called strawberry or infantile hemangiomas)
These angiomas are the most common tumor of infancy, affecting 5 to 10% of infants by 1 year of age. Hemangiomas of infancy develop soon after birth and tend to enlarge rapidly during the first year of life. After 12 to 18 months, they begin to shrink. Most hemangiomas disappear by age 10, although the skin that remains is often slightly discolored or scarred.
Hemangiomas of infancy grow within and under the skin. They cause the skin to bulge and become bright red or, if they are very deep, bluish. Most deep hemangiomas grow between ¼ and 2 inches (0.5 and 5 centimeters) across, although sometimes they grow much larger. More than half occur on the head and neck. Sometimes, hemangiomas develop in organs, such as the liver (see Hemangiomas of the Liver Hemangiomas of the Liver A hemangioma is a noncancerous liver tumor composed of a mass of abnormal blood vessels. (See also Overview of Liver Tumors.) In the United States, about 1 to 5% of adults have small hemangiomas... read more ).
Hemangiomas of infancy do not cause pain but occasionally break open (ulcerate) and bleed. Hemangiomas around the eye may grow large enough to block vision, which can lead to permanent vision loss if uncorrected. Hemangiomas may also block the nose or throat, which can block breathing.
Doctors may do magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a strong magnetic field and very high frequency radio waves are used to produce highly detailed images. MRI does not use x-rays and is usually very safe... read more 
(MRI) if the hemangioma seems to be blocking the nose or throat or another important structure.
Typically, hemangiomas of infancy completely shrink by the time the child is 10 years old. Because hemangiomas of infancy usually go away on their own, doctors may not treat them when they first appear unless they grow rapidly, block vision or breathing, ulcerate, or are cosmetically distressing.
When treatment of hemangiomas of infancy is required, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids that are applied to the skin, injected, or taken by mouth; laser treatments Using Lasers to Treat Skin Problems 
; or propranolol applied to the skin or taken by mouth. Hemangiomas that have ulcerated are treated with compresses, medications that are applied to the wound, and dressings. Surgical removal is usually not recommended because the vast majority of hemangiomas go away on their own and there is less scarring when they are left alone. For older children in whom the hemangioma has shrunk to the greatest degree, surgery may improve the appearance of the skin.
Cherry angiomas
Cherry angiomas are very common in adults. They usually appear as raised, red blood vessel growths on the torso and can number from a few to dozens.
Cherry angiomas are harmless. If they are bothersome, a doctor can remove them with an electric needle or scalpel.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
propranolol |
HEMANGEOL, Inderal, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL |
