Lucie has a mixed hemangioma on her forehead which developed in the first couple of months after birth. Lucie was born with no birthmarks that we could see initially. It was around 6 weeks old I noticed a small scratch like dot on her forehead, I immediately had a gut feeling that it wasn’t just a simple scratch and that it was actually getting larger and deeper in colour. In panic I immediately researched what it could be, all evidence suggesting a strawberry birthmark as I now know it to be, an infantile hemangioma.

At Lucies 6 week check up very concerned, I mentioned to the nurse the forehead mark and was quickly dismissed, telling me it looked like a ‘very small’ hemangioma and told that the NHS would not prescribe or do anything. That it would grow possibly rapidly, and eventually disappear through infancy. I then asked, what if I went private? Would the answer be the same as the advice you’re giving? The nurse told me, yes private would probably tell you the same.

This did not sit well with me and we chose to research more, seeking an appointment with Dr Lea Solman at GOSH. In the first instant we were extremely lucky to have a zoom call appointment, which happened within a couple of weeks of initially speaking with the team. All the while, Lucie’s Hemangioma was darkening in colour and beginning to increase in size. The zoom appointment was amazing, Dr Solman put my mind at ease straight away, diagnosing a superficial hemangioma and prescribing Timolol drops to apply daily.

We started the drops immediately and within a few days noticed the colour of Lucie’s Hemangioma go from bright red to a more faded shade and so we were hopeful. We continued the drops daily. Unbeknown to us that Lucie actually had a mixed hemangioma and the deep component was now beginning to develop and show. So although the Timolol was working on the superficial part as prescribed, Lucie’s hemangioma was now gaining a raised bruise like ring around the initial dot. Again within a few weeks we chose to seek private advice, and around 4 months old visited GOSH for further advice. Again Dr Solman was fantastic and diagnosed the mixed Hemangioma. She advised as it was not rapidly growing to hold off prescribing any oral medication and continue Timolol. This was a decision we were very happy with as long as the Hemangioma stayed slow growing.

Over the next few months we noticed the deep component darkening and the superficial part lightening and fading, we think due time the Timolol. Between 5-9 months the deep part continued to grow at a slow pace, peaking around 8 months then beginning to slowly fade and reduce from then.

Lucie is currently a happy, healthy, 15 month old and her Hemangioma is much less visible, we continue to apply Timolol daily and have not chosen to treat the deep component. This has been the best decision for Lucie. Although Lucie’s Birthmark is part of her and we no longer notice, we are hopeful that over the future months and years that it continues to fade.

To anyone worrying, searching, down a rabbit hole looking for help, seek that advice as early as possible and it could help profoundly.

We are forever grateful to the BSG community and the fantastic Dr Solman and team at GOSH for their advice and care during a very worrying, uncertain time as parents.
Lydia, mother of Lucie.
April 2025.