Raspberry the Strawberry Mark
Oct 2nd, 2007 by Nola
When Sun was born, being early and small, they whisked her away from me before I could hold her. But before leaving the Delivery Room, my husband got a good look at her and held her. As the doctor was completing my caesarian section, and I was doing all I could not to panic about having major surgery while being wide awake, I focused all my attention on my daughter. As CS gazed at her for the first time, I heard him ask the nurse, “What’s that on her leg?” WHAT? I thought. What’s WHAT on her leg? Ohmygod! What’s wrong with her??? The nurse very calmly responded, “Oh, that’s just a birthmark.” I could breathe again.
Then the nurse handed Sun to my husband and he brought her to me to see. Then Sun was removed for testing for hours. We waited and waited to see her. When they finally wheeled her in and put her in my arms, the first thing I did was unwrap her and look at her leg. I wanted to be damned sure no one swapped babies on me. And maybe there was another one that looked as cute as her (although that is hard to imagine!), it would be rare for that baby to also have Sun’s unique birthmark. Her mark was there–dark red, almost purple, like a bruise, and smooth on her skin. I thought it’d clear up in a few days. Here’s what it looked like then:
It did not clear up. Instead, it turned from a deep red to a bright red and the skin raised and got bumpy. It is large and takes up a good bit of her left shin. It is technically called a hemangioma and is more commonly referred to as a strawberry mark due to its bright, angry red color and the raised texture of the skin. We were told that best case scenario it would grow and then slowly (over a period of years) disappear.
We were told to “keep an eye on it.” And we did keep an eye on it. It started to get scabby. Did this mean it was starting to “involute” or heal or did it indicate a sign of growth? The internet suggested either could be the case. So two weeks ago we took her to a pediatric dermatologist. The doctor informed us that the scabbing was a sign of growth, aggressive growth. Such scabbing could lead to serious scarring. In an attempt to prevent that, we took the doctor’s advice and allowed her to begin laser treatment and oral steroid treatment. Today was her second laser treatment. The idea is to first stunt the growth of the mark and to rush it into the involution phase. If thereafter it is not reducing in size and color, a second treatment of lasers would be used to diminish its appearance. Here’s (two overexposed pictures, sorry) what it looks like now:
I have a lot of mixed feelings on this whole thing. On the one hand, it is just a birthmark that is not expected to hinder her ability to crawl or walk. It is superficial and not likely to cause permanent injury. Well, other than that potential permanent scarring. In a world where appearances are everything, do I want to encourage that behavior by medically eliminating her negative features? It isn’t like she has a club foot or bow legs. It’s a mark on her skin. A mark that tells me and the world that she is uniquely herself. And do I want to expose her to laser treatment and steroids? No, I do not.
But on the other hand, it is a very large mark and the scabbing is not at all attractive. And there is that very real chance of serious scarring. CS and I have both been asked many times already by perfect strangers, “What’s THAT on her leg?” “Was she burned?” I want to answer these insensitive people, “That is from me smoking (and/or drinking) while pregnant.” But I always cower and find myself defensive and giving the person a crash course on hemangiomas. We cover her leg now in public as much as possible just to keep idiots from asking us dumb questions or giving us weird looks. It is nice that we do get an occasional person who will say, “Oh, look at her birthmark” in a matter-of-fact tone. But that is the exception.
And as bad as CS and I feel when asked these questions, how bad will Sun feel when teased by other children? Kids can be cruel. And as a parent, we all want to shelter our children from needless hardship.
So for us, as bad as I feel about taking action on a mark on Sun’s skin that is not likely to ever cause her a physical problem (well, other than that risk of scarring or not dissipating entirely on its own), the decision has been made and we have taken action (and to me, lasers and steroids are moderately aggressive) because we feel it is in her best interest. We are told that she is likely to have some residual mark on her leg at the end of treatment–the texture of the skin is likely to be wrinkly. But it still saddens me that those features that are unique in us are the ones we sometimes take action to eradicate.
You should go read about Paige’s experience (http://www.theaverylaneexperience.com/) with her daughter’s hemangioma, located on her face. They also did laser treatments.
I understand how you feel. Sloan was born polydactyl, with six toes on each foot. We loved her toes, extra to kiss and love. And there was no medical reason to remove them, but you are so right, kids are cruel. She would not even been able to wear a pair of sandals without being teased. So with advice from the doctors and a lot of thought we decided to have the surgery to remove them. She is fine now, left with minimal scarring on her feet. But sometimes I miss her toes, and more than that I don’t want her to ever think we did not like her just the way she was. Bottom line, if it were not for society the surgery would have never occurred. Good luck with your decision. I am sure you and your husband will make the right choice for her.
Wow. I feel for you on this… This is one of those situations where the answer is neither easy nor obvious. My nephew has a huge birth mark (that grows long, course, black hair) that covers the majority of one side of his face. There’s no easy way to remove it, so his parents have elected to keep it. But kids can be so cruel even when there is NOTHING wrong, I worry how he’ll do. I think you’re doing the right thing based on the options and information that you have.
Kate, Sunny and Jenny, thanks for your support. It is really cool to be a part of the blogging community and get such support from people I’d otherwise not know. I do feel we are making the right decision for Sun, but it sucks nonetheless!
[...] I stopped worrying. Really. Stopped. Yeah, sure. I worry about vaccinations and Sun’s hemangioma. But that’s normal. I find that I now worry far less about work and finances and the future, [...]
Hey, my daughter has had 12 laser treatments for a hemangioma on her face. I know what you’re going through and I definitely feel for you. Anytime you want to chat about it, feel free to email me.
Paige
Thanks for sharing this. You are educating others by doing so. Now I will know what to say to my 4 year old when she points and asks, “What that?” which she will – like all children will. I would rather have an educated, truthful answer instead of shying away, pushing her finger down and asking her not to point while I mumble, “I don’t know” or call it a boo-boo.
[...] Also in the French Quarter, to the hubs about Sun’s hemangioma, “Is that a birthmark or a tattoo?” Tattoo, lady, on a five-month old. [...]
[...] EEG were good. But. (Why is there always a “but”?) But, because of her rather large hemangioma, there is the slightest concern that she could have an internal hemangioma that could be causing [...]
Hi. I stumbled upon your blog as I was searching for other blogs of parents with children having hemangiomas. My 11 month old baby girl has two strawberry hemangiomas on her torso (one about the size of the old silver dollars). She has had two pulsed-dye laster treatments so far, her next (and last) scheduled for January. She is scheduled for excision of the tissue in March! I can’t wait to dress her in tank tops. At first, I was uncomfortable discussing her hemangiomas, but now, I’m proud of what we are able to do for her. We drive 2 1/2 (not too far, thank goodness) to a wonderful surgeon at a children’s hospital in Arkansas.
Hi, I know it is 8/22/08, but wondered how Sun was doing. I was looking up raspberry marks and came across your web page. The only thing that would really concern me as a parent with a child’s birthmark like Sun’s, is the internal aspect. If the birthmark is growing externally, it is possible it is more of a tumor than that of a birthmark. My daughter had a flat dark birthmark on her butt and when she became a teenager she asked to have it removed because other girls in the locker room showers could see it. So I imagine Sun will want it removed, but while she is little the pain might be less for her to deal with. I hope you fill all of us in on your decision. Give Sun a kiss from all of us in blog world!
[...] I wrote some time ago about Sun’s hemangioma, or strawberry mark. Several of you have e-mailed me inquiring about how she’s coming along. I appreciate your concerns and wanted all to follow her progress. [...]
My daughter has one on her face and they just told us to wait and see. I love this site so we don’t feel alone. Thank you!
Hi – I just read your story and it so reminded me of my daughter – she has a hemangioma which covers her whole calf and down to half of her foot! Hers ulcerated when she was 4 months and although over the years it has greatly improved she still has some lumps on her heel! She is now 8 years old. We chose not to have treatment to regress it because it had ulcerated and would only help it by about 3 weeks and I could not bear my 4 month old going under general anaesthetic (personal choice) but I did raise her to be mega confident and cool about her birthmark and it was never a “poorly leg” or anything like that. Now at 8 years she does get fed up explaining what it is to new kid so she just tells them some fairies put it on her at night or such stories and all these kids she meets want one too!!!!! Good luck with your little one, and remember its all these things that make them unique. I always say to my little girl to look around at others at school and she will see all are different some wear glasses or hearing aids etc etc but then she does not know how many tears I have spent on her over the years! Its just good to harden girls up a bit to it all! Liz xxx
Hi,
i read your daughter story and your concern for her .I have those red birthmarks on my right hand;from shoulder to finger; but, it is not raised above skin .It is normal to me .
I know how it feels when some colleague inquire about it.I am 21years old and in collage.Sometimes those remarks really hurts me but my doctors told me that it is not curable.
Hopefully her treatment will cure her.
Hi, I was born w. a strawberry hemangioma on and behind my eye. I remember my mom telling me stories of how people would just stare at her when she would take me out in public places. As i got older and entered school, during kindergarden at the age of 5 is when i was first made fun of by a little boy who called me 3 eyes. To this day i have never fully recovered over this comment. It always hurt to be known as the twin with the eye thing. Now as I am entering college, i want to be able to be a surgeon to remove these tumors. It breaks my heart to see a child worse than me than i was because i know how hard it will be for them in the future. Ever since then i have wanted to be an oncologist or opthamologist to remove these tumors. I hope and pray for that baby.
Hi, Thank you for your story. My daughter is 9 months and has a very large hemangioma on her forehead and another on her eyelid. At first it bothered me that people would stare at her, but the more I became comfortable with the facts: IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE SOON and IT IS WHAT IT IS, I took great pride in educating people who were obviously interested. Most people do not mean any harm, but they can be inapropriate. My daughter just finished taking a perscription -Propanolol (high blood pressure med) to reduce the size and what a relief, taking the med resolved the hem. on her eyelid aprox 85-90%. She is currently having laser treatment every 6 weeks for the hem. on forehead but so far no change. We are optimistic, but realize it takes time. How is Sun’s leg today? Best of luck!
I was born with a strawberry on my face. I was lucky, it was about the size of a quarter and went away by the time I was around 4. My mom has told me many horror stories about taking me in public when I was young. She was stopped MANY times by idiots asking what happened to me. She also gave them all crash courses, but to this day is baffles me that people are so quick to get in other peoples business and make harsh judgements. Good luck with everything!
Don’t worry about Sun, she’ll be fine. What she needs is the love and support you would give any other child – praise her, keep her safe, tell her you love her and that you’re proud of her. Take it from someone who’s has hemagiomas on about 30% of her body (leg/arm/back). Pretty angry looking. Yes have been stared at for most of my life and no you never quite get used to it. However, you have to understand that people will look at things that seem out of the norm – it’s human nature and not always a sign of ignorance or insensitivity. I know my eye is drawn to someone walking with an odd gate or missing a limb. All I’m saying is that we can’t automatically assume that there is ill will from people that stare… Crickey, I’d never step out of the house if I believed that! However that being said – yup there are jerks out there! Luckily I’m fairly quick witted and have turned around potential embarassing situations. Finally, what I mention above – the love and support you would give any other child stands. I’ve been blessed with phenomenal parents that have always been proud of me. Although the doctors had told them that I probably wouldn’t be able to fully use my limbs – am proud to say that now in my 40′s, am still extreamly active and training for my second ironman.
Hi, I was searching for Raspberry Birthmarks and stumbled upon this. I am 14 years old and I have a huge birthmark located on the left part of my torso which extends to my back. My friends tease me and I can never wear those pretty dresses my mom buys for me. I have always wanted it to be removed but we don’t have the money to get laser treatments.
I hope Sun will be alright.
my daughter has one and she scratches it all day and we took her to get it looked at and they told us when she is in her teens whe have to get surgery done on it!
i just wish it would go away!!!!!
[...] will be three years old in a couple of weeks. You may not remember when I first wrote about her birthmark, or when I followed up on her treatment when she was just over a year old. If you do remember, or [...]