Will's Hemangioma

For those of you wondering what that red growth on the right side of Will's head, it is called a strawberry Hemangioma. Here's what WebMD has to say on the subject:

"Hemangiomas are caused by many tiny blood vessels bunched together and vary in severity. Typically, this birthmark can be just that, a mark, or it can grow larger and larger until treated. Hemangiomas can grow very rapidly through the first year of a child's life.

There are two types of hemangiomas: strawberry hemangiomas, which are slightly raised, red birthmarks and can appear anywhere on the body {this is what Will has}; or cavernous hemangiomas, which are a deeper birthmark characterized by a bluish color.

Most hemangiomas will go away on their own; roughly 50% resolve by age five, 70% by age seven and 90% by age nine."

The Pediatrician has told us that it is very common (we first noticed it when he was in the NICU and it has continued to grow since then) and that usually they go away by themselves around the ages of 18mo-2yrs.