How to Get Rid of Cherry Hemangiomas

Cherry hemangiomas, sometimes also called strawberry marks, are a type of vascular birthmark, according to Children’s Hospital Boston. The mark is the result of an overgrowth of the endothelial cells that are inside blood vessels. Many hemangiomas, especially those in children, resolve themselves over time and do not require specific treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. In rare cases, cherry hemangiomas on the eyelids can hamper vision and must be removed. Removal for most people is a cosmetic concern rather than a health threat.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the best way to get rid of your cherry hemangiomas. Most adults who have the vascular birthmarks experience only very tiny red spots on their trunk, where they are not noticeable, according to Christine Hamori, a provider of cosmetic surgery and laser therapy in Massachusetts.

• 2

  Take corticosteroid medications to get rid of your cherry hemangiomas. The medications may be taken by mouth or injected into the tumors themselves. Your doctor will determine which steroid therapy will be appropriate for your health.

• 3

  Try more aggressive treatments to get rid of unsightly cherry hemangiomas. Therapies including injecting the cancer drug interferon into the lesion or laser therapy to fade the coloring of the marks can be effective in some cases, but are controversial, according to Children’s Hospital Boston. Patients must choose whether the possible side effects of medications or complications such as scarring will outweigh the psychological effects of leaving the hemangiomas alone

• 4

  Opt for surgical excision for large cherry hemangiomas that impede a bodily function. Hemangiomas that occur around the eyes or nose can interfere with sight or respiration and should be removed in order to restore function of the organ involved.