here is no need to leave a hemangioma alone if you are conscious about it. Nevertheless, hemangiomas are not usually removed for beautifying reasons. There are many ways you can treat a hemangioma and the most efficient would be removing the hemangioma for good. It is important to note that removing the blood vessels tumor through surgery is not suitable for all hemangiomas. It is only applicable if the growth is interfering with the patient’s vision, breathing, and feeding. In addition to that, if you want the surgical procedure, it is best to have it during the involution phase to reduce the risk of the hemangioma growing back. The removal of a hemangioma is dependent on a few factors such as the size, the location and any complications it has caused.
Symptoms of Hemangiomas
A hemangioma is described as a red birthmark that is round or oval shaped and raised above the skin surface. They are common among children and barely cause any health problems unless they start bleeding or form ulcers. Typical hemangiomas do not show any symptoms when they are growing or even thereafter. But, if they grow into large ones, or are situated in a sensitive area, or are many, then they may exhibit some symptoms. The most common symptoms is a small bump on the skin, which is usually the onset of the growth of the hemangioma. Coloration is yet another symptom, which helps identify the location of the tumor. The deeper the hemangioma is underneath the skin, the darker the appearance on the skin surface.
Can You Remove a Hemangioma?
There are various treatment methods for hemangiomas. One of them involves corticosteroids which are meant to slow down or stop growth. They can either be given an ointment to apply, an injection or medication to be orally taken. Laser treatment is yet another viable option where the goal is to remove the hemangioma for good. It is also ideal for other improvements such as slowing rapid growth, reducing redness and scar revisions. Laser treatment also sets the stage for further treatments if the need arises. Surgery removal of a hemangioma is primarily done for functional purposes, whenever it is causing any obstruction. In cases of persistent hemangiomas, multiple treatments may be needed to fully cure the tumor. Treatment options need to be specialized for each patient because different hemangiomas need to be managed in unique ways.
The Surgical Procedure for Removing a Hemangioma
To remove a hemangioma through a surgical procedure, an incision must be made to access the mass of blood vessels. The hemangioma tissue is removed through the incision made on the skin surface, then the surgeon stitches up the healthy skin left behind. Scarring is imminent after the surgery, but it is dependent on the size and location of the mass. Surgery can also be performed after the hemangioma has subsided, yet there still remains residuals of the growth. It is meant to correct what has been left after the involuting stage is over and improve the physical appearance of the affected area. The timing of a surgical procedure is influenced by various factors including the child’s age as well as their weight. The most important one though is whether the hemangioma is interfering with the child’s way of life.
Conclusion
Hemangiomas usually shrink with time and treatment is never necessary. There is the option of removing a hemangioma, but that relies on whether it is impacting the functionality of the baby. Surgical procedures and use of laser therapy are the most common ways of removing hemangiomas and they are often successful. There’s no need to remove small-sized hemangiomas. But, if they are large and on sensitive areas, then removing the growth is necessary to improve the life quality of the child. As a parent, it is important that you are aware of the risks of the treatment your child will undergo. Make sure you observe the closed up incision after surgery and offer the best primary care to your baby.
- Cleveland Clinic – Hemangiomas Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17802-hemangiomas
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