May also be called: Strawberry Nevus, Strawberry Hemangioma A hemangioma (he-man-jee-OH-muh) is a type of birthmark. Tiny blood vessels build up in an area of skin, giving it a red or purple appearance. More to Know Hemangiomas develop on the skin of babies before birth or in the first few months of life. These birthmarks can be very small or quite large and are most often found on the face, scalp, or back of the neck. They start out as flat red marks and develop rapidly into raised lesions within the first year. Over time they begin to fade, often disappearing completely when kids are between 5 and 10 years old. Keep in Mind Hemangiomas don't hurt and are generally best left alone to dissolve on their own. When they affect eyesight or present other health problems, treatment options such as laser surgery or corticosteroid medications may be recommended. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Hemangioma This is a big word for a type of birthmark. Read More What's a Birthmark? Birthmarks, also known as hemangiomas, get their name for one reason: They are marks on the skin of a lot of newborn babies! Find out more about birthmarks in this article for kids. Read More Hemangiomas: Suzanne's Story When Anna was born, she developed red spots that her parents learned were hemangiomas, benign birthmarks that she eventually outgrew. Her mother tells her story. Read More Birthmarks Birthmarks are marks on the skin that a baby can develop before birth or soon after. Most birthmarks are harmless and many even go away on their own or shrink over time. Read More Port-Wine Stains For most kids, these birthmarks are no big deal. Port-wine stains won't go away on their own, but they can be treated. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.