Birthmarks - red

Alternative Names

Treatment

Many capillary birthmarks (strawberry hemangiomas, cavernous hemangiomas, salmon patches) are temporary and require no treatment.

The nevus flammeus type of hemangiomas may require no treatment unless they are disfiguring, psychologically distressing, become painful, or change in appearance.

Permanent lesions may be disguised with cosmetics, especially those designed to be concealing or covering, such as Covermark.

Oral or injected cortisone may be used to reduce the size of a hemangioma that is growing rapidly and obstructing vision or vital structures.

Permanent birthmarks may be treated with cryotherapy (freezing), surgical removal, or laser surgery. They are usually not treated unless they cause unwanted symptoms, or until a child is at least school age. However, port wine stains on the face should be treated at a young age with a yellow pulsed-dye laser (for best results), to prevent the often profound psychosocial problems they cause.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Birthmarks rarely cause problems other than cosmetic changes. Many birthmarks resolve spontaneously by the time a child is of school age, but some are permanent.

Possible Complications

• Emotional distress because of appearance
• Discomfort or bleeding from vascular birthmarks (occasional)
• Scarring or complications after surgical removal

When to Contact a Medical Professional

All birthmarks should be examined by a health care provider to determine the prognosis (probable outcome), course of action, and possible complications.