Another new mom is showing off her bundle of joy on social media while proving that true beauty comes with imperfections.
At just 4 months old, Zaa’ Heir Moore has captured the hearts of more than 1,400 followers on his public Instagram page, which is run by his mom, La’ Travia. This camera-ready little guy has been photographed embarking on his latest “adventures,” such as napping, teething, and even taking his first steps.
Along with having a winning smile and beautiful brown eyes, Zaa’ Heir was also born with a birthmark on his right cheek. And people cannot stop chiming in about it:
One follower posted: “aww he is beautiful and is that a birth mark? are they gonna get rid of it or they’ll just let him grow up with it cause this will be the time to since he’s still very young . . . it may get complicated when he gets older . . . let’s put ourselves in our kid’s shoes.”
Also referred to as a strawberry mark or a strawberry patch, hemangiomas of infancy are found in at least two of every 100 babies born, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“A hemangioma is a benign growth or tumor of blood vessels,” Delphine J. Lee, MD, dermatologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., tells Yahoo Beauty.
In many cases, these reddish-purple marks are not noticeable at birth but usually appear within the first two months of the baby’s life. While these raised markings can be found anywhere on the body, they tend to form on the head, neck, or trunk.
“Typically, a hemangioma will grow and then involute — or collapse — where the cells will actually die,” continues Lee. If the mark disappears on its own, it’s likely to happen when the child is anywhere between the ages of 5 and 10. If the patch is deep or on the larger side, it can leave behind “a little sore or ulceration, which may develop into a scar,” adds Lee.
However, this skin condition may need to be treated or removed if it bleeds profusely, continues to grow at a rapid speed, or forms on or near a vital area of the body, such as the eyes or mouth.
“Sometimes they appear on what we call a beard distribution — meaning near the mouth — where it might also involve the throat,” explains Lee. “Remember that a hemangioma will grow before it fades back, so you can imagine if it’s anywhere near the airway, it could be very dangerous because it could impede the child’s ability to breathe.”
Treatment options include a beta-blocker drug, corticosteroid medications, and laser surgery, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Lee encourages parents to speak with their pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist as soon as they notice a red mark on their baby’s body. “The doctor will advise how frequently the growth needs to be examined and will discuss the treatment options, if the child should need it.”
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