Anyone out there have a child with hemangioma?

Question

My daughter is 8 months old and has hemangioma on her lip and I have had so many options on what to do and I would like to hear from anyone who has been through this before.

The options I have been given are steroids, plastic surgery, or leaving it alone and it might go away.

Only serious answers please. And thanks ahead of time.

The place has quit growing and has actually started to fill in with her skin color. It has got any bigger since October of last year.

Answer 1

My daughter's hemangioma started when she was 3 weeks old. Hers was on her left cheek and partially over her neck coinciding with strawberry marks over her face, neck and ear. She seen a pediatric surgeon and because of where her's was positioned surgery wasn't a very good option. She would have been paralyzed on that side of the face. It grew until she was around 18 months old ( got quite large!!) , then it stopped! Her specialist said it would shrink and that it would be unnoticeable by the time she started school. She is now 9 years old and the only time you can see it is sometimes in pictures and sometimes in the mirror. She started a new school this year and the teachers never noticed it until the school pictures came back!! Her strawberry marks are gone now and the bluish tinge to her skin there is also gone. Plastic surgery is an option for her still, but it is not recommended until she is done growing and that is only if she has loose skin where it was. I would hold off on any surgery, I am glad I did!! I know it's hard on you, but if it is not bothering your daughter I would leave it alone and let nature take it's course. The hardest part you will have is the inconsiderate people you will come across when you are out!! Believe me, I had many comments said right to my face about my daughter and also had children and parents pointing and staring at her. Good luck with any decision you make, but remember even though she has this she is still a beautiful little girl!! Who cares what strangers think!!!

Answer 2

Ooh, my little boy had one under his armpit as a newborn. Since his was under his armpit, it wasn't noticable to everyone like a facial hemangioma. His did disappear own it's own with no surgical intervention needed.

If I had been in your situation, I think I would have seriously considered the surgery. If I remember correctly, they can go away on their own, but they can also grow. I think I would get a 2nd opinion with a plastic surgeon and find out more about having it surgically removed.
My son also has had a birthmark since he was born (on his chest) that we are going to have removed this summer by a plastic surgeon. I don't think I would trust just a general surgeon to operate on my child for something like that.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi
I work in Peds. Sometimes they do go away with out any treatment, but it is impossible to tell that.

If I were you I would get a Plastic Surgeon's opinion on the Hemangioma because they see them all the time. Getting the opinion it not an obligation for surgery.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Hello..my daughter has one on the back of her head. The first year it was big, bright red and very noticeable. She is 3 now and of course her hair covers it but it is now flat and a lighter pink. I would not worry so much about it now and give it a couple of years and see if it reduces on its own.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what this is but if it is what I think it is then my little baby has one on her tummy. My doctor said that it would go away sooner or later.

Answer 6

I know a friend whose son had one on his forehead and it was really big and as he has gotten older, it has gotten smaller and smaller. Now it is barely visible.