What Are the Different Types of Hemangioma Treatment Options?
Hemangiomas are growths on the blood vessels that are non-cancerous. They are most commonly found in children and in young infants.
While you might panic if your child has a hemangioma, the truth is that there are plenty of hemangioma treatment options out there for you. With the right treatment, you can get rid of these growths in no time.
If you’re ready to learn about the different hemangioma treatments available to you, keep reading. We’ve put together a few treatment options for your child.
Beta-blocker Medication
One of the main types of treatment for hemangioma is to use beta-blocker medications. There are two main types of beta-blockers that are used.
Oral Beta-blockers
Oral beta-blockers are the first choice for children who need ongoing, systematic treatments. The FDA has approved Hemangeol, also known as oral propranolol hydrochloride, for use in children. If this sounds like a good option for you, you can ask your doctor how to order Hemangeol for your child.
Topical Beta-blockers
Sometimes an oral beta-blocker isn’t the best choice. In these situations, you can choose topical beta-blockers. These are perfect for small hemangiomas or for ulcerated hemangiomas that are smaller in size.
Corticosteroid Medicines
Another common treatment for a hemangioma is to inject it with corticosteroids. These steroids help reduce inflammation and prevent the tumor from continuing to grow.
Previously, Prednisone and Prednisolone were used to treat hemangioma, but these are no longer common. They are only used when patients are unable to receive other corticosteroid medications.
Laser Therapy
In some cases, laser therapy is a more appropriate option for treating hemangioma. This tends to be the case when a hemangioma is located in the top layer of the skin.
Laser therapy is also useful in reducing redness in the area of hemangioma. It improves the overall appearance of the skin on the child.
Medicated Gel
You can use medicated gels to treat hemangioma. This is a more expensive option, however, so it’s not the most popular treatment choice.
On top of that, prolonged use may be linked to the development of cancer. It’s important to talk to your medical provider before using a medicated gel to treat hemangioma.
Surgical Removal
Sometimes, hemangioma is small enough that you can have them surgically removed. Other times, the hemangioma may become so large that it must be removed to stop causing pain to the patient.
In these situations, you can use surgery to remove the hemangioma or to remove the area of the body that has been damaged by the hemangioma. Or, you can opt for a surgical procedure that ties off the blood supply to the hemangioma.
Choose the Best Hemangioma Treatment
As you can see, there are several hemangioma treatment options available to you and your child. By consulting your doctor, you’ll be able to choose the best option for your son or daughter.
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