Introduction

In some babies, red to purplish-blue marks or bumps appear on the skin in the first few days or weeks after birth – often on the scalp, neck or face. These are commonly known as “strawberry birthmarks,” but the medical term is hemangiomas (or “infantile hemangiomas” in children). They are benign (not cancer) growths of blood vessels that are generally harmless and don’t usually have to be treated.
Infantile hemangiomas grow in the first few months after birth and then go away again on their own over several years. But they sometimes cause problems – for instance, if they’re very big or are in difficult places on the body, like on the eye. Then there are various treatment options.
There are also other common types of reddish birthmarks called “port wine stains” and “salmon patches”. It is usually difficult for non-experts to tell them apart.
Adults can develop hemangiomas too, such as “senile hemangiomas” (also called “cherry angiomas” or “Campbell de Morgan spots”). These growths normally don’t go away again.