Propranolol medicine
- A beta-blocker medicine traditionally used to treat high blood pressure can now be used to treat certain hemangiomas.
- It can soften the lesion, reduce the color and limit its growth by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the flow of blood through them.
- Various pre-tests will be given to your child to make sure this treatment is suitable for them. Once cleared, they will receive their first dose, which may be increased over time and be taken multiple times a day.
Laser therapy
- Short bursts of laser light are used to lighten the color of the birthmark, shrink the birthmark or cause it to stop growing. Takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on the birthmark.
- Commonly used to treat a variety of birthmarks that are close to the surface of the skin, to lighten the appearance or improve the texture of port-wine stains, and to treat hemangiomas, especially those on the face or those that are bleeding or ulcerated.
- Can cause pain/slight stinging sensation. Young children may need to be given a general anesthetic or other medicines so they do not move during the treatment. May need to be broken into multiple treatment sessions, depending on patient’s pain tolerance.
Sclerotherapy
- A substance is injected into a vascular malformation in order to form a blot clot. The clot will stop the flow of blood through the blood vessel and sometimes the blood vessel will be destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.
- Used to treat vascular malformations, specifically venous and lymphatic malformations. Can also be performed in advance of surgery to control or prevent bleeding.
- This is an outpatient procedure.
Excisions
- Some vascular birthmarks require surgical removal, such as deep hemangiomas that may damage surrounding healthy skin.
- The surgeon will consider many factors when determining if an excision is appropriate, including the location of the birthmark.
- This is an outpatient procedure and is done under local anesthesia.
- Sometimes it can be completed in one surgery and sometimes multiple surgeries are required.