Nevus flammeus type of hemangiomas may require no treatment unless they are disfiguring or psychologically distressing, or unless they develop new symptoms such as pain or change in appearance. Oral or injected cortisone may be used to reduce the size of a hemangioma that is growing rapidly and obstructing vision or vital structures. They are usually not treated unless symptomatic , or until a child is at least school age. However, port wine stains on the face should be treated at a young age with a yellow pulsed dye laser for best results and to prevent the often profound psychosocial problems caused by the port wine stain . Birthmarks rarely cause problems other than cosmetic changes.
Many birthmarks resolve spontaneously by the time a child is school age, but some are permanent.
Hemangiomas are vascular tumors made of tortuous, dilated blood vessels. They may not be apparent at birth, but appear shortly afterward. They then undergo a rapid growth phase during which their size may increase dramatically. The final stage, called involution, may require years to achieve. During this period, the hemangioma shrinks in size and finally disappears.