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When Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Mole?

After

Moles, more uncommonly known by their medical term “nevi”, are odd skin growths that can trigger various concerns. People can be born with moles or develop moles throughout their lifetime. Moles are not at all uncommon, and the vast majority of them are benign and completely harmless. Some even consider strategically placed moles a “beauty… Continue reading

Involuting and Non-Involuting Infantile Hemangiomas

Doctor Diagnosis

Infantile Hemangiomas are vascular formations that are fully formed at birth. As with all vascular formations, they involve an abnormal formation or grouping of blood vessels. In a hemangioma, the cells forming the blood vessels multiply aggressively and form a benign tumor that contains smaller blood vessels. These vessels have thinner walls and blood flows… Continue reading

Is Scratching a Mole Dangerous?

Inspecting a Mole

It is amazing how many old fables continue to persist, especially those relating to healthcare. One of these that we occasionally encounter at the Vascular Birthmark Institute concerns the dangers of scratching at moles. Some patients have told us their mother or grandmother warned against scratching a mole because it caused the mole to become… Continue reading

When Should an Infantile Hemangioma Be Treated?

Before

Birthmarks, also known as vascular anomalies, are common in newborn babies. Of these, approximately 90% will disappear within the first year of life. This is perhaps why many pediatric healthcare specialists advise parents to not have birthmarks evaluated by a vascular specialist. However, around 10% of children do develop birthmarks that can pose risks of… Continue reading

Beta Blockers to Treat Infantile Hemangiomas

Vascular Tumors

Infantile hemangiomas are a type of vascular birthmark, meaning they are composed of blood vessels. These non-cancerous birthmarks are typically discovered either at birth or shortly after birth. Over half of all hemangiomas occur on the head or neck and they are three times as likely to occur in females. Premature infants also see a… Continue reading

When Should I Consider Surgery for My Child’s Birthmark?

Doctors Reviewing Medical Files

Birthmarks develop and appear on many children for a variety of reasons. Some are immediately evident at birth, while others may appear days or even weeks later. Some birthmarks grow over time while others eventually fade away. Certain types of birthmarks can become problematic and require some form of treatment or even removal. Knowing the… Continue reading

What If My Child Has Excessive Nosebleeds?

Group of Teenagers

Nosebleeds are rarely a cause for serious concern. Children are known to be inquisitive and experimental by nature, and sticking objects into their nose is a common occurrence. Other common causes for periodic nosebleeds are dry air or allergies. In these cases, parents usually discover the cause of the nosebleeds and can solve the issue,… Continue reading

Treatment for Lymphatic Malformations

Before Lymphatic Malformations New York NY

The body’s lymphatic system is a network of tubular channels and organs that help eliminate waste, toxins and other unwanted materials. The lymphatic system transports a fluid called lymph that contains infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. Lymph is transported to organs and then through lymph nodes in various locations. These nodes remove sources of infection… Continue reading

Do Venous Malformations Grow?

Diagnosis of Venous Malformations New York NY

Venous Malformations are the most common type of congenital vascular malformations, occurring in 1-2 out of 10,000 births. Venous malformations develop in a child prior to birth and can occur anywhere on the body. They are believed to result from abnormal or problematic development of the veins during pregnancy and are not caused by drug… Continue reading

Diagnosis and Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas

Vascular Tumors

Babies being born with some type of birthmark are more common than many parents realize. An estimated 10% of all babies have some sort of noticeable birthmark. One type, known as an Infantile Hemangioma, occurs in 5-10% of all newborn babies. Vascular birthmarks like these involve extra collections of blood vessels in the skin. The… Continue reading