How to determine if a red spot is a hemangioma

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on January 11, 2025
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In clinical settings, to determine whether red spots on the skin are hemangiomas, it is advised to visit a hospital and seek the expertise of an oncologist or a dermatologist specializing in vascular surgery for proper diagnosis. For small red spots on the skin, one can apply local pressure to see if the redness fades, returning to a normal skin color, which could indicate that the spots are hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are relatively common benign vascular tumors. In most cases, they do not cause symptoms clinically and are due to endothelial cell abnormalities in the vessels. Symptoms such as pain might occur only when the hemangioma is large enough to cause compression.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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Will hemangiomas in children regress?

Hemangiomas in children may regress, but the likelihood is relatively low. Hemangiomas are a congenital vascular malformation and usually do not have a severe impact on the child's health. However, if the hemangioma is located in more visible areas such as the head, face, neck, or arms, it can affect the child's appearance. Moreover, if the hemangioma grows large, it may also rupture, posing a risk to health. It is recommended to observe the hemangioma if there are no related symptoms initially. If the child is around five or six years old and the hemangioma has not regressed, consider consulting a reputable hospital for surgical treatment.

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Written by Yan Chun
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Can people with hemangioma drink alcohol?

Hemangiomas are benign tumors of the blood vessels. It is advisable for patients with hemangiomas to abstain from alcohol, as drinking is a harmful stimulus. Prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to hardening of the vessels, which may easily cause rupture and bleeding of the hemangiomas, leading to adverse consequences. Therefore, once hemangiomas are detected, it is recommended to reduce or avoid alcohol consumption. Although hemangiomas are generally benign tumors and often do not cause significant damage to the body, some hemangiomas, due to their specific growth location and size, can sometimes lead to rupture and bleeding or affect bodily functions, thereby significantly impacting the quality of life. Such cases may require active surgical treatment, administration of sclerosing agents, or certain medications and physical therapies.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Is a hemangioma initially a red spot?

Hemangiomas indeed start as a red dot, and as the condition worsens or the hemangioma grows, some may gradually form patch-like appearances or well-demarcated lumps that rise above the skin. A primary characteristic is that the color of the hemangioma disappears when pressed, and the skin color lightens. When the external pressure is reduced or released, the hemangioma refills with blood and turns dark red or purple-red. This characteristic is very important for the diagnosis of hemangiomas. Therefore, patients with hemangiomas must seek early and timely consultation, examination, and treatment in dermatology (cosmetic science) or surgery.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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The difference between lipomas and hemangiomas

Lipomas and hemangiomas are not the same disease and are not directly related. Lipomas generally occur in superficial parts of the body, sometimes in the muscle layer. Lipomas typically have a complete capsule and exhibit a lobulated shape. They are usually soft, and patients do not exhibit obvious local symptoms. On the other hand, hemangiomas often occur in solid organs, including liver hemangiomas, spleen hemangiomas, and kidney hemangiomas. Hemangiomas can also appear in superficial areas, such as the skin where they can form strawberry-like lesions, causing discomfort due to their appearance. However, most hemangiomas do not tend to enlarge and are benign, requiring no special treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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What should be done about infantile hemangiomas?

If an infant has a hemangioma, it is first necessary to assess the location and size of the hemangioma. Currently, the main treatments for hemangioma include: Firstly, oral medications such as Xin De An, which is commonly used for cardiovascular issues, can gradually reduce the size of the hemangioma. Although it is an oral medication, it is essential to conduct electrocardiograph and echocardiogram examinations before taking the medication, and the treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a hospital doctor, followed by regular observation. Secondly, topical application of certain eye drops may gradually reduce smaller hemangiomas. Thirdly, surgical treatment is used for particularly large hemangiomas to completely eliminate them. Another method is to treat older children with laser or plasma therapy; this is generally performed when the child is older, and the local treatment is quite effective.