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Steps To Take When Your Child Is Born With A Port Wine Stain

29 May 2017 by Hugh Larson

A hemangioma, also commonly referred to as a port wine stain, is a birthmark that may be present at birth, or one that may develop a few months after. It is typically either pink, red, or a reddish purple color and can be found on any part of the body, although Stanford Children's Health reports that 60 percent of them are usually found on the head and neck area. There are a few steps parents will want to follow if their child is born with a port wine stain. 

Get a Doctor to Examine the Hemangioma

The first step parents will need to take is to have the port wine stain examined by a physician. While most hemangiomas are harmless, some can cause problems depending on their location. For example, a port wine stain near the eye or on the forehead can indicate a rare disorder called Sturge-Weber Syndrome. If it's directly on the eyelid, the child can suffer from glaucoma. 

Sign Up for Laser Treatments

The sooner parents sign their children up for laser treatments the better the chances are of making the port wine stain less noticeable. Toddlers may require general anesthesia, however, older children will find local anesthesia is all they need to feel comfortable during the procedure. The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation states that several pulsed dye laser treatments are needed and that these sessions take part every four to eight weeks until the desired outcome is achieved. 

Hydrate and Monitor the Hemangioma

Since port wine stains tend to get dry, it is important for parents to keep them hydrated with a moisturizing lotion. This can be done after each bath. At that time, it is also a good idea to examine the hemangioma. This type of birthmark is prone to bleeding if it is scratched open or injured in any way. Always contact your doctor if your child complains that the port wine stain is itchy or sore, or if you notice any changes in the birthmark. 

Talk With Your Child About the Port Wine Stain

Hemangiomas, just like other birthmarks, can cause a child to become self-conscious. Parents will want to talk with their kids to let them know the birthmark is something that makes them special and is a part of who they are. Parents can then go on to discuss possible situations that may arise when playing with other children in the neighborhood, and how to best handle those situations when they come. 

Contact a center like Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati to learn more.

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