A “sugar bug” is a common term for a type of birthmark often seen in infants, medically known as an infantile hemangioma. These growths are non-cancerous and form from an overgrowth of blood vessels. While their appearance can sometimes be concerning for parents, infantile hemangiomas are harmless and often resolve on their own. They are considered the most common benign tumor in infancy, appearing in about 4% to 10% of infants.
Identifying a Sugar Bug
An infantile hemangioma presents as a raised, bright-red patch on the skin, often called a “strawberry mark.” These marks are usually not present at birth but become visible within the first few weeks of life. While superficial hemangiomas are bright red and on the skin’s surface, deeper ones can appear bluish or purplish and may feel lumpy beneath the skin.
These birthmarks can appear anywhere on a baby’s body, though they are most frequently observed on the head and neck, accounting for about 60% of cases. Other common locations include the trunk and extremities. They vary in size and prominence. Most infants develop only a single hemangioma, but some may have multiple.
How Sugar Bugs Develop
Infantile hemangiomas arise from an abnormal collection of blood vessels. While the precise cause remains unknown, it is thought to relate to vascular development, linked to factors like prematurity, low birth weight, or being part of a multiple birth. These growths are not inherited, nor are they linked to anything consumed or experienced during pregnancy.
The development of an infantile hemangioma follows a predictable pattern. Initially, there is a rapid growth phase, known as the proliferative phase, which occurs during the first few months of life. Following this, a slower regression phase, or involution, begins, where the hemangioma gradually shrinks, flattens, and changes color from bright red to a duller purple or gray.
When to Consult a Doctor
Specific situations warrant medical attention. Rapid growth, particularly if it occurs in a sensitive area, warrants consultation. Hemangiomas located near the eyes, nose, mouth, or airway can potentially interfere with functions such as vision, breathing, or feeding.
Another concern arises if the hemangioma develops complications like ulceration, which is a breakdown of the skin over the mark, leading to pain or bleeding. Signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or pus, also require medical evaluation. Some may leave behind residual skin changes like stretched skin or small blood vessels that can be addressed later if desired. Treatment options, including oral medications like propranolol, topical treatments, or laser therapy, may be considered for complicated cases or those in functionally sensitive areas.