Hemangioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hemangioma?
A pediatric dermatologist, a skin doctor for children, often treats hemangiomas. A pediatrician, a children's doctor, can check a new birthmark first. If the hemangioma is near the eye, an eye doctor may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a hemangioma?
A hemangioma is a growth made of extra blood vessels. The most common type in children is infantile hemangioma, also called a strawberry mark. It is benign, which means it is not cancer. It forms when immature cells that should make blood vessels form a tumor instead.
The focus here is infantile hemangioma. Other types exist, such as congenital hemangioma, which is fully formed when the baby is born.
Infantile hemangioma tends to appear between the ages of 3 to 6 weeks and is usually not seen at birth. It often gets bigger for about 5 months and then stops growing. It slowly fades over the next several years, but a red mark or loose, wrinkled skin may remain.
Symptoms
An infantile hemangioma can grow anywhere on the body, but it most often appears on the skin of the head and neck. Signs can include:
- An area of spidery veins or lighter or discolored skin, which may be the first sign.
- A firm, warm, bright red-to-crimson spot that may look like a bruise.
- A blue or purple lump under the skin, if the growth is in the fat below the skin.
- An ulcer, which is a sore that can be painful and can lead to bleeding, infection, and scarring.
A hemangioma in an organ may cause no symptoms. Near the eye, it can cover the eye and cause a serious eye problem. Near the mouth, it can make it hard for a baby to eat or breathe.
Causes and who gets it
Infantile hemangioma is caused by changes in how blood vessel cells grow and divide. Often, the exact cause of these changes is unknown.
It is more common in girls, premature babies, and twins, triplets, or other multiple births.
How doctors diagnose it
A physical exam and the child's personal and family health history are usually all that doctors need to diagnose infantile hemangioma. If it looks unusual, the doctor may do a biopsy, which means taking a small tissue sample. An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to make pictures, may be done if the growth is deeper inside the body or covers a large area.
Babies with five or more hemangiomas on the skin should have a liver ultrasound to check for a liver hemangioma.
Treatment
Most hemangiomas fade and shrink without treatment. Treatment may be needed if a hemangioma is large, causes other health problems, or is in an area where it could cause serious problems if it grows.
Options include:
- Beta-blocker medicine, such as propranolol.
- A beta-blocker applied to the skin, for a hemangioma in one area.
- Laser surgery, for a hemangioma that has an ulcer or has not completely gone away.
- Surgery, for a hemangioma that has an ulcer, causes vision problems, has not completely gone away, or is on the face and has not responded to other treatment.
Propranolol is a heart medicine that dermatologists often use for hemangiomas. The FDA has approved it for babies with a high-risk hemangioma. It can stop a hemangioma from growing and can shrink one that is growing.
Common side effects in babies include diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and cold hands and feet. More serious side effects can occur, including low blood pressure that does not go away within a few hours, low blood sugar, and a slow heart rate.
When to see a doctor
A hemangioma near the eye or mouth can cause serious problems, so it is best to treat it when it starts to grow.
If the birthmark bleeds, hurts, itches, or becomes infected, call your health care provider. If your baby is taking propranolol and eats less than usual, wheezes, or seems unwell, call your child's dermatologist.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your baby has severe trouble breathing, bluish or grey skin, or bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can look at a new birthmark, refer your child to a pediatric dermatologist, and help coordinate follow-up visits.
Common questions
Is a hemangioma cancer?
No, infantile hemangioma is a benign tumor, which means it is not cancer. It forms when immature cells that should make blood vessels form a tumor instead.
Does a hemangioma go away on its own?
Yes, most hemangiomas fade and shrink without treatment. An infantile hemangioma often grows for about 5 months, then slowly fades over several years. A red mark or loose, wrinkled skin may remain.
When does a hemangioma need treatment?
A hemangioma may need treatment when it is large, causes other health problems, or sits where it could cause serious problems if it grows.
What medicine treats a hemangioma?
Beta-blockers such as propranolol are a common treatment. Propranolol is a heart medicine that the FDA has approved for babies with a high-risk hemangioma. Low blood sugar and a slow heart rate are possible serious side effects.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Childhood Vascular Tumors (PDQ) Patient Version
- American Academy of Dermatology - Heart medicine can clear strawberry birthmarks
- MedlinePlus - Birthmarks
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
