Overview
Hemangiomas are a type of growth that appear as red or purple lumps on your skin. They’re made of rapidly dividing cells of blood vessel walls (endothelial cells). They may be present at birth, or become noticeable during infancy. Although hemangiomas are most common in infants and children, adults can develop them too. In fact, about 75% of people aged 75 and older have cherry hemangiomas.
What is the difference between a hemangioma and a birthmark?
Hemangiomas are a type of birthmark. There are two types of birthmarks: red and pigmented. Hemangiomas are red birthmarks that are vascular (originating from blood vessels).
Is a hemangioma a tumor?
Yes, but not all tumors are cancer. A tumor is a growth of tissue that’s swollen and can appear as a bump on your body. Non-cancerous tumors don’t spread to other parts of your body and aren’t life-threatening. Hemangiomas are a common, non-cancerous tumor that can be removed without the risk of coming back after surgery.
What are the types of hemangiomas?
The two most common types of hemangiomas are:
Capillary
Capillary hemangiomas appear on the outer layers of your skin.
- Infantile hemangioma (strawberry hemangioma): These blood vessel growths are common tumors of infancy, affecting up to 12% of babies by their first year. Infancy hemangiomas look like red bulges on the skin that normally grow to between one-quarter to 2 inches in size. Infancy hemangiomas typically grow quickly, and then shrink and fade.
- Cherry hemangiomas: Cherry hemangiomas are small, dot-like, raised red blood vessel growths often found on your torso. They’re very common in adults, especially as they age. Cherry hemangiomas usually form in groups of a few to dozens.
Cavernous
Cavernous hemangiomas form in deeper layers of your skin, often around your eye.
- Cavernous hemangiomas often appear on eyelids, the eye surface or in the eye socket. They look like clusters of wide blood vessels that are dark red to blue when they first appear on or under your skin.
- These hemangiomas can affect eye development and lead to vision problems like amblyopia, glaucoma and cataracts.
Who do hemangiomas affect?
Anyone can get a hemangioma at any point in their lifetime. They’re common in:
- Infants.
- People assigned female at birth (they’re more likely to have hemangiomas than people assigned male at birth).
- White infants (they are at higher risk).
- Premature infants.
- Middle-aged adults.
How common are hemangiomas?
Around 10% of babies are born with a hemangioma.
Is a hemangioma life-threatening?
Hemangiomas slowly disappear over time. The majority aren’t life-threatening.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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