Strawberry mark

Strawberry mark or Infantile Hemangioma is a type of birthmark that appears at birth or in the first or second week of life. It looks like a raw strawberry and can appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly on the face, scalp, chest or back.

Description

A strawberry mark is a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth or in the first or second week of life. It looks like a raw strawberry. It can appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly on the face, scalp, chest or back.

Causes

The cause of strawberry marks is currently unknown; however, recent research indicates a possible link to a protein called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). Some researchers believe that strawberry marks can be caused by pieces of placenta that have become lodged in the developing baby's skin.

Treatment

Most strawberry marks disappear by the time a child is 9 years old, with nearly all gone by the age of 10. If a mark is very large or is growing rapidly, it may need to be treated. Treatment options include laser surgery, corticosteroid medications, and beta-blocker medications.

See also

• Birthmark
• Hemangioma
• Vascular malformation
• Port-wine stain
• Sturge-Weber syndrome