“Ano yang red sa noo niya?”

“Lipstick ba yan?”

“Sugat ba yan?”

Those were just a few of the questions and comments that we got whenever someone sees the red mark on Allyka’s forehead. Funny how they call this birthmark since it wasn’t on Allyka’s forehead when she came out of this world. She has baby acne and all but she didn’t have any marks on her forehead until she turned one month old.

Allyka when she was just 1 week old. No marks on her forehead at all!

I can’t remember the exact date but I know it was right after she turned one month old when a red mark appeared on her forehead. I didn’t really worry about the mark since I thought that it will just go away just like her baby acne but I was wrong. A week had passed and the mark was still there so I asked Allyka’s Pediatrician. Her doctor told us that it was just hemangioma and it will eventually go away. Okay. I felt relieved to hear that it will go away.

Two more weeks have passed but, the mark wasn’t going away! I’m a first-time mom and it pains me a lot to see the red mark on her forehead. If you’re a mom, I’m pretty sure you know what I mean! I felt guilty and stressed despite what her Pedia said that it will disappear. I avoid using Google to answer my questions but since I was really worried, I started researching about Hemangioma and here’s what I found out:

What is Hemangioma?

A hemangioma (he-man-jee-O-muh) is a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth or in the first or second week of life. It looks like a rubbery bump and is made up of extra blood vessels in the skin.

A hemangioma can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest or back. Treatment for a baby’s hemangioma (infantile hemangioma) usually isn’t needed as it fades over time. A child who has this condition during infancy usually has little visible trace of the growth by age 10. You may want to consider treatment if a hemangioma interferes with seeing, breathing or other functions.

Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemangioma/symptoms-causes/syc-20352334

There are different types of hemangiomas, one of which is called strawberry birthmark.

Allyka’s mark on her forehead is a strawberry birthmark. I was a little upset when I found out about this. When Allyka’s Pedia informed me that the mark on her forehead would disappear and not to worry about it, I thought what he meant was that it would go away after a week or two but I didn’t realize that the mark could stay on her forehead until she’s 10 years old or forever. I also felt bad that I didn’t ask more when her Pedia told me that it was a hemangioma. I just focused on the fact that he said it would disappear since it gave me the assurance that I needed.

How did we react to Allyka’s mark?

I’ll be lying if I tell you that it was just okay for me because it wasn’t. I love her just the same and she’s still the prettiest baby in our eyes but the mommy inside me can’t help but feel bad at times. Most people we’d meet will automatically look at her mark because it’s bright red and it’s in the middle of her forehead so I can’t blame them. I ended up covering the mark on her head with hairbands at one point because I just don’t want people to be talking about it. My husband was different. She doesn’t like Allyka wearing headbands to cover up her mark and would often tell me to let Allyka wear her mark loud and proud.

I, on the other hand, was worried that the mark won’t ever go away. I was worried that she’d end up being bullied by other kids when she goes to school. I was worried she’d grow up insecure.

I was worried sick for her until my husband and I realized that if we want to raise Allyka as a confident girl, we should train her to feel beautiful no matter what other people say and that’s only going to happen if we start seeing her mark as a unique part of her face instead of something awful. Birthmarks don’t make anyone less cute. Allyka’s birthmark makes her prettier and more unique so I eventually got over my worries.

How did it disappear?

Just like what Allyka’s Pedia suggested, the mark on Allyka’s forehead faded away on its own when she was around 8 months old and by the time she turned one, you wouldn’t notice the mark anymore, unless you look at it closely. The bright red mark on her forehead is now a really faded slightly dark mark. We didn’t put any cream or medicine on it nor did anything special. It just faded on its own just like what her Doctor told us. That’s what mostly happens to hemangiomas or strawberry birthmark, but there is still a small chance that it won’t go away and honestly, that’s really just okay.

Baby kulit wearing her personalized strawberry bib from Bibs Manila

Tips to Moms of Babies with Hemangioma

1. Consult a doctor – Most hemangiomas are harmless but that would depend on its location. I’ve read from somewhere that hemangiomas that are close to the eye/s need to be treated or it might affect the organ nearby.
2. Don’t let the hemangioma bleed – This is a piece of really important advice from our Pedia. The strawberry birthmark is literally made up of veins so getting it wounded may cause heavy bleeding.
3. Let the people talk – Learn the art of ignoring other people’s comments because you would hear a lot of comments and that’s unavoidable. Talking about your baby’s birthmark doesn’t always mean they don’t like it. Sometimes, comments about the mark are just initial reactions so give other people a chance too!
4. Stay Calm – I know you’re worried but don’t be. Most hemangiomas disappear by age 5, and most are gone by age 10 so you just have to be patient.
5. Celebrate your baby’s uniqueness! – A birthmark makes someone unique and special so instead of hiding it and feeling ashamed of it, celebrate your baby’s uniqueness!

I hope you learn a thing or two from this post. Honestly, I kinda miss Allyka’s ‘lil strawberry birthmark on her forehead but I’m also happy that it’s already gone. Also, some people say that her red mark is lucky because I’ve won several giveaways and raffles ever since she came in this world and I seldom win now since the mark disappeared but it’s only because I don’t join giveaway contests anymore!!! 😀

Anyhoo, regardless if your baby has it or not, doesn’t really matter to us moms! We love our babies just the same. <3

Does your baby have a strawberry birthmark too? Tell me more about it in the comments below!

Disclaimer: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, … Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider.