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Capillary hemangiomas, or strawberry marks, are red birthmarks that usually fade by 12-15 months. They are caused by abnormal blood vessels near the skin’s surface and are more common in premature girls. Treatment is only necessary if they cause vision, breathing, or eating problems. Laser surgery and steroids are common treatments. Most marks fade by school age, but some persist into adulthood and can be treated cosmetically.
A capillary hemangioma, also called a strawberry mark, is a red birthmark that is present at birth or develops within the first six months of life. Most of these marks begin to fade when the baby is between 12 and 15 months old, and some of them disappear completely. These birthmarks are more common in girls and children born prematurely. Most capillary hemangiomas don’t cause problems, although they can cause vision problems if they’re on or near the eye, or breathing problems if they’re near the nostrils or mouth.
Blood vessels that develop abnormally near the surface of the skin are responsible for the formation of a capillary hemangioma. The exact underlying cause of the condition is not known, but these types of birthmarks are extremely common. A milder form of the mark, often called a stork bite, appears on 30 to 50 percent of babies. A capillary hemangioma can appear anywhere on the body but usually goes away on its own. Treatment is only needed for signs that cause problems with vision, breathing, or eating.
Doctors examine all birthmarks on newborns to make sure they aren’t a more serious skin condition. A capillary hemangioma is usually easily diagnosed by its appearance, but doctors may perform a biopsy if they suspect another skin condition or a deeper birthmark. These red marks are superficial, meaning they occur in the topmost layers of the skin. They usually cause no symptoms beyond appearance, but sometimes a capillary hemangioma can cause discomfort. Bleeding in the area of these marks is often heavier due to more densely packed blood vessels under the skin.
If a capillary hemangioma occurs near the eye or nostril and is causing problems with vision or breathing, a doctor may suggest treatment to reduce or remove the birthmark. Injecting steroids into the hemangioma or applying a topical steroid cream can narrow the blood vessels and prevent the mark from spreading. Laser surgery to reduce or remove the mark is another common form of treatment that typically works well with few side effects. In severe cases a doctor can eliminate the mark completely, although this is reserved for situations where other treatment options have failed.
Most capillary hemangiomas fade by the time a child reaches school age, but some persist into adulthood and can create self-esteem issues due to their appearance. Heavy cosmetic concealers can reduce the appearance of these marks. In some cases, birthmarks can be faded or removed with medical procedures for cosmetic reasons, although this is usually not necessary because the marks are usually very slight by the time a person reaches adulthood.
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