Strawberry birthmark

[Trace38]

My 3 week old has a raised lump on her trap about the size of a peanut that I've been told is a strawberry birthmark. It's tight on the top of her scalp and it's growing. I'm really worried that it's going to continue growing and wanted to hear from parents whose children have one to see how big it got / how long it grows before stopping and also whether there is any treatment for them? Thanks

[Trace38]

Scalp, not trap!

[Obloquy]

Usually they reach maximum size within three months.

You might want to read some of the work done by Dr. Swee Tan who is a Malaysian-New Zealander who specialises in strawberry birthmarks and their treatment. He has won many domestic and international awards and prizes.

But strawberry birthmarks usually shrink on their own and are gone by adulthood, treatment is often not necessary.

[wallywobbles]

My daughter had one on her eye just under her eyebrow and one on tummy. Eye one disappeared by 2 and tummy much later. I think they fade quicker with more exposure. See a dermatologist and they'll tell you what's what.

[Tomboyinatutu]

I had a strawberry birthmark on my face when I was born, it didn't get very big and was gone by the time I was 5

[Obloquy]

Yes, I forgot to ask, who told you it was a strawberry birthmark? If it was a medical professional can you ask them for some advice or for a referral? And if it was a friend or family member, consider consulting your GP or a dermatologist.

[Trace38]

I'm worried about how big it will end up if it's growing like this for another two months :( I'm quite an insecure person and I know it will affect me.

[Trace38]

It was the health visitor - I haven't seen the GP yet but will be soon.

[Obloquy]

Don't worry too much! Strawberry birthmarks are benign, not cancerous, and if it's on her scalp it won't affect her vision, breathing or speech (i.e. it's not on her mouth, nose, or around her eyes).

Most likely the only issues are cosmetic. Your GP should be able to give you some more information and put your mind at rest.

[winchester1]

Out son had loads both eyes grew as he did for a while and are gone now at two. Back of his neck were similar.
He has raised ones on his shoulder and lower back they grew a little again as he got bigger they remained relatively the same size on him. They are still there and we've been offered they could be removed but I think that's his decision when he is older, they are part of who he is after all he may like them.
They are already so small on him I can imagine as an adult they will be barely noticeable.

My sister has one on the side of her face which has never bothered her and I assume she has decided to keep it at some point.
(I'm not in the UK.)

[Trace38]

Thank you - I hope so.

[Trace38]

Thanks Winchester. i was googling last night and read about some babies whose scalp mark grew to the size of a tangerine and that has filled me with dread.

[milkingmachine1]

My daughter was born with one on her leg and by age 1.5 years it was completely gone. You can only see very tiny specks of red where it was on her leg.
No disrespect to your health visitor but I think you should get it checked by your GP or a dermatologist too. I'd want reassurance that it is in fact a strawberry birthmark.

[winchester1]

My sisters on the side of her face is about the size of an orange and people don't notice or say anything. Its a non issue for her at least. As kids it was never really talked about its just her birthmark and part of her so nothing to discuss.
I think parents attitudes can go a long way to make things like this non issues for kids. Logically why would it matter if you had a tangerine size birth mark on your scalp?
Of course check with your GP but try to stop thinking the worse and enjoy your baby.

[Trace38]

Thanks Winchester. When I say tangerine sized, I mean as a lump. It wouldn't matter at all if it was flat, but it's a growing lump. It concerns me for aesthetic reasons as I don't want her to be stared at. :(

[P1nkP0ppy]

Don't worry op.
DD had one on her forehead, it started off small and grew for the first few months until it was about the size of a 2p piece. It then stated fading and disappeared long before she started school.
If it's a strawberry mark it will disappear; a birthmark (?naevus) won't go.

[Trace38]

This is what it currently looks like...

[Trace38]

Hi Pink, did it grow outwards like a lump?

[winchester1]

Ok sorry, ds two that are raised stopped growing quickly and as I say the Dr has said they can be removed if he or we would like it done. Maybe you could look into if that's availably privately in the uk to put your mind a rest that you/she will have that option later.

[dratsea]

Will go, merry Christmas.

[anotherbusymum14]

My daughter had a strawberry birthmark on her nose. Now 11 yrs old and I cannot remember when I last saw it probably before age 5. I think it just got less and less as a baby. Try not to worry about it :)

[P1nkP0ppy]

Yes Trace, it was raised above her forehead by about 4-5 mm? And very noticeable because she didn't have that much hair, I got fed up with people asking if she'd bumped her head. Once her hair grew I rarely registered that it was there, and as I said before, it had gone by the time she was 5 or so.

I'm sure your GP will be able to advise you, good luck.

[neversleepagain]

One of my twins had one on her head and it grew to be quite big, raised and angry looking. At one point it was the size of a two pound coin and very prominent. She is now 3.3 and it is flat on her head and tiny. You can't see it at all now that she has hair.

At their 6 week check up the gp told me there was nothing to worry about and that it would be completely gone by the time she is 8. He told me to be careful not to knock it as it would bleed a lot. They are quite common in twins and premature babies.