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Why do these fascinating red marks always appear on babies?
On the skin of many newborns, we often see a red mark called "strawberry nevus." Most of these small tumors begin to grow rapidly within a few weeks of a baby's life and become more noticeable over the next few months. Although these moles look bright, they are actually a benign blood vessel tumor called an infantile hemangioma. But why do these charming red marks appear so frequently on babies?
Infant hemangioma is one of the most common benign tumors, with an incidence rate of approximately 5% to 10% of births. These conditions tend to appear on a baby's head or neck, showing a vibrant red color.
The cause of infantile hemangiomas is not yet clear, but some studies have pointed out that it may be related to enhanced estrogen signaling. This red mark usually appears within a few weeks of birth, grows rapidly, and eventually stops growing at about 5 months of age before entering a shrinking phase that may last several years.
According to experts' observations, these marks may appear as red scratches or patches in the early stages of development, and later become more obvious, especially on areas such as the face and neck. Although this appearance may be cause for concern for some parents, doctors generally recommend that these marks disappear on their own without treatment unless they affect basic functions such as vision or breathing.
Certain conditions of infantile hemangioma may cause pain, bleeding, and ulceration. While most of these moles cause no problems, in rare cases, overly large hemangiomas can tax the heart, leading to high-output heart failure.
According to statistics, women, white people, and premature babies have a higher chance of suffering from infantile hemangioma. The specific symptoms of these red marks may vary depending on the size and location of the tumor, but superficial hemangioma are usually bright red and smaller cases usually do not require treatment.
As for diagnosis, doctors will mainly determine based on appearance and medical history. If the situation is unclear, further testing may be done using ultrasound or MRI. Experts say hemangiomas usually grow rapidly in the first few weeks of a baby's life, then go through a period of slow growth and finally a shrinking period.
If hemangiomas occur in the mouth, eyelids, or other sensitive areas, they can cause more serious complications. Therefore, timely monitoring and treatment are necessary. Of course, most hemangiomas in babies will disappear naturally over time, but this is not the case in all cases.
Some special cases may require treatment with medications, such as propranolol or steroids. Surgery and laser treatments may also be considered in certain circumstances.
It is worth noting that although there are certain standard procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of infantile hemangioma, each baby's situation is different, so individualized monitoring and treatment are required based on the specific situation.
As research continues, many potential causes and treatment options for infantile hemangiomas are still being explored. So, what unknown mysteries are actually hidden behind these charming red marks?
