Hemangioma

Yesterday, Parker visited DermatologyInc. in Carmel for a visit with a pediatric dermatologist.  After he woke up one night with blood everywhere, I thought it might be good to get a referral to specialist.  The doctor was great-very confident and knowledgeable. 

Here is a progression of the growth...

After measuring it and squeezing it and checking it out, she explained some things to us.  First of all, if you didn't know, a hemangioma is an abnormal build-up of blood vessels.  The blood vessels continue to pool blood in that area because the brain isn't signaling it to stop.  Many hemangiomas will eventually shrink in size on their own.  Since Parker's is right on his forehead, we have been worried about it getting hit and bleeding.  She also explained what kind he had (his was described as "focal" which is good-nothing else is going on internally health wise).  She also said his is a combination of superficial and deep, meaning part of it is growing under the skin and part above.  The under the skin part is what has caused it to raise.

After talking about why surgery isn't a good option right now (thank goodness), she prescribed Timolol.  This is a liquid that I rub on the hemangioma twice a day.  It is actually a treatment for glaucoma, but it has been shown to reduce the size of the hemangioma significantly in a pretty safe way.

So, we started today.  He goes back to the doctor in 2 months.  I will post update pics of any progress.  I am crossing my fingers that this is a easy solution and we can avoid surgery.