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The
Condition
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Vascular lesions occur when blood vessels become
enlarged (port-wine stains) or too many blood vessels
have grown in one area (hemangiomas). The most common
types of vascular lesions are the following:
This is a kind of vascular birthmark that is
characterized by different types of blood vessel
growth. Hemangiomas become apparent within the first
few weeks since birth and grow rapidly for about a year.
The two most common types of hemangiomas are the
following:
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Strawberry hemangiomas – This type of hemangioma looks
like a slightly raised and strawberry-red mark. It can
develop as soon as birth and can occur anywhere on the
body.
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Cavernous hemangiomas – This type is described to be a
bluish-colored mark that becomes apparent just after
birth and can be seen anywhere on the body.
A
port wine stain, also known as nevus flammeus, is
described as a flat, pink, red, or purple mark that is
apparent at birth. This type of vascular lesion
commonly appears on the face, arms and legs.
Additionally, port wine stains continue to grow as a
child ages. Unfortunately, these stains stay visible on
the body and often require treatment if it has grown on
the eyelid or forehead (like on Mikhail Gorbachev’s).
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Treatments Available
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Vascular Specific Laser Treatment
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Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What causes vascular lesions?
A:
The abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin is
pointed to be the cause of the appearance of vascular
lesions. Though these commonly appear at birth, there is
also a possibility that such lesions develop in the latter
part of life. Vascular lesions can also suddenly appear,
persist for a certain amount of time, and then disappear
again. Such an event may occur upon reaching puberty or
having pregnancy, which are two big physiological changes
that a person may go through.
Pigmented birthmarks, on the other hand, are different
though. Two of the most commonly known forms of pigmented
birthmarks are port wine stains and venous plexi intricate
networks of veins. Port wine stains are pinkish-red and
flat in texture, and may have a darker shade to being purple
in color as a person ages. Port wine stains commonly appear
on the face but can also be visible on any part of the
body. Port wine stains may even grow larger and more
conspicuous in the latter part of life, developing into a
darker and thicker stain or forming vascular bumps. On the
other hand, venous plexi are those that are thin in density,
light blue in color, and may either be flat or raised.
The
third type of vascular lesion is hemangiomas. These may
develop after birth and consist of many tiny blood vessels
that are bunched together. This type of vascular lesion
occurs in up to two percent of newborn babies, but as many
as twelve percent of the babies develop them by age one.
Hemangiomas mostly occur in girls. Also, this type has the
capability to change in size, and most of them disappear
completely by age 10.
Q:
What is a port wine stain?
A:
Also called naevus flammeus, a port wine stain is
characterized by a red or purple birthmark, which can affect
about 3 out of every 1000 babies. It is a kind of blood
vessel birthmark which is exhibited at birth as a uniform
flat red, purple or pink mark on the skin, frequently on one
side of the body, usually the face. They are congenital
overgrowths of small blood vessels in the skin. Port wine
stains are more widespread in girls as boys, and they may
darken with age, thicken with raised bumps (papules) or
ridges and increase in size proportionally to the child's
growth. They develop with the individual and do not improve
over time. They can appear on any part of the skin surface
but cause most concern when they affect the face.
Q:
What are the causes of port wine stains?
A:
Port wine stains are rooted from an abnormal development
of blood vessels in the area of the skin where they are
present. They are not inherited and are not related to
anything that the parents may have done during
pregnancy.
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