Hi Fafa!
Thanks so much for your reply and reassurance. In our case, the angioma first appeared when our son was about 19 months old. It grew at an alarmingly speedy rate, and within 3 weeks it was a size of a small pea. It was blood red in color, and very clear.
This was a collection of protruding blood vesssels. Two doctors and two dermatologists later, we were assured that it was absolutely benign, but not totally harmless. Because it's in fact blood vessels, if it was trickered to bleed, it would bleed profusely. That's when it becomes a health issue.
All physicians that we saw recommended that we wait until the boy is older and the angioma stops growing before having it removed.
Our son was first aware of it when the angioma was about 5 weeks old and still growing. He started pulling on it, prompting it to change color and shape overnight! He must have pulled on it while he was alone in bed. We knew then that we had to have it removed ASAP.
Another doctor referred us to Dr. Hui. I trusted him the first minute I talked to him, but you know... being a parent, you always want a confirmation that he is indeed the best surgeon there is to operate on your child. Laser can remove the angioma, but will leave the blood vessels open, thus prone to infections and a recurring angioma. Dr. Hui suggested that we have it removed surgically.
The process will be quite short. If we started at 8 a.m., we probably could go home by noon. The thing is the boy needs to fast for about 6 hours prior to the operation. That bit is hard to cope...
Anyway, the operation has been scheduled and we're going ahead with it. Wish us luck.
Sara.