What should I do if a child has a hemangioma on their foot?

Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
Updated on January 18, 2025
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The child has a hemangioma on their foot, and parents can temporarily observe it as some hemangiomas may heal on their own, so there is no need to rush into treatment. Moreover, a hemangioma on the foot usually does not affect the child's health, as it is neither itchy nor painful, and it does not affect the appearance either.

If the hemangioma grows very rapidly, and it has not receded by the time the child is five years old, consider using injections of sclerosing agents or surgical treatment options to remove the hemangioma.

If the hemangioma is small and not growing rapidly, parents may not need to undertake any special treatment, as a hemangioma on the foot does not affect the body nor does it impact appearance.

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Is a hemangioma in the nose dangerous?

Nasal hemangiomas are primarily caused by congenital or acquired vascular malformations. The risks associated with them include the following points: First, the vessel walls of hemangiomas are imperfect and prone to bleeding. Excessive bleeding can lead to hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, significant bleeding can cause blood to flow back into the respiratory tract, leading to coughing fits and even the risk of suffocation. Second, although hemangiomas are benign in nature, a few of them possess the biological characteristic of expansive growth. This characteristic can damage surrounding tissues, such as destroying the wall of the vessel and the structure of the tumor, thereby exhibiting malignant-like biological behavior. Therefore, active treatment is necessary.

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What should I do if there is a hemangioma on my tongue?

Hemangioma is a benign tumor that occurs in blood vessels, and the specific etiology and pathogenesis are not clear clinically. The tongue is a common site for hemangiomas. For hemangiomas on the tongue, it is necessary to comprehensively assess based on the type of hemangioma, location, depth of tissue invasion, the proximity to surrounding tissues, and the patient’s own physical condition, among other factors, to determine the most beneficial treatment method. Currently, the clinical treatments for hemangiomas include surgical treatment, radiation therapy, local sclerotherapy, laser treatment, or pharmacotherapy. Currently, there is no single clinical method that can completely treat all types of hemangiomas. For hemangiomas on the tongue that do not affect the overall function of the tongue, conservative treatment can be considered. For hemangiomas that have caused tongue ulcers, medication can be given to protect the mucous membrane of the tongue and promote faster healing of the ulcers.

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Is it normal for a child to have hemangioma?

It is not normal for children to have hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are usually caused by congenital vascular malformations and may also be caused by hereditary factors resulting in true hemangiomas. However, regardless of the case, they are considered abnormal. Hemangiomas can be divided into two types: true hemangiomas and vascular malformations. True hemangiomas have a certain possibility of self-healing, so parents can temporarily observe. If the child does not heal by themselves after the age of five, timely treatment should be administered. Once a vascular malformation occurs, if it is not treated, it may persist throughout life. If it grows in some inconspicuous places on the skin surface, treatment may not be necessary. However, hemangiomas in the internal organs should receive enough attention and be treated as soon as possible.

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Is a hemangioma a tumor?

Hemangiomas are formed by the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells during embryonic development and are commonly seen in congenital benign tumors or vascular malformations of the skin and soft tissues, mostly observed at birth or shortly after birth. The residual embryonic vascular endothelial cells, active endothelial-like embryonic buds invade adjacent tissues, forming endothelial-like cords, which after canalization connect with existing blood vessels to form hemangiomas. The blood vessels within the tumor form a separate system, not connected to surrounding blood vessels. Hemangiomas can occur throughout the body; those occurring in the oral and maxillofacial regions account for 60% of all hemangiomas, followed by 25% in the trunk and 15% in the limbs. Therefore, some hemangiomas are congenital benign tumors, while others are caused by vascular malformations.

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Do hemangiomas in children pulsate?

Children's hemangiomas do not exhibit pulsation. Hemangiomas are benign tumors and can be categorized into true hemangiomas and vascular malformations. However, regardless of the type, hemangiomas generally do not show any obvious symptoms, neither pain nor itchiness. Those that grow on the surface of the skin are easily noticeable due to their obvious location. However, hemangiomas that develop in internal organs usually cannot be detected by oneself; they are typically found during physical examinations. Hemangiomas on the skin surface almost have no impact on children, but those growing in internal organs can be more dangerous if they grow large and rupture, possibly even threatening life. Therefore, if an internal organ hemangioma is discovered, it is crucial to treat it promptly.