Overview
Verrucous hemangioma is a rare vascular skin condition that is present at birth or appears in early childhood. Despite its name, it is not a true hemangioma (a common type of blood vessel growth in babies that usually goes away on its own). Instead, verrucous hemangioma is a vascular malformation, meaning it is an abnormal formation of blood vessels that does not shrink over time and tends to grow as the child grows. The condition typically appears as a dark red, blue, or purple patch or raised area on the skin, most often on the legs or feet. Over time, the surface of the lesion becomes rough, thick, and wart-like (verrucous), which is how it gets its name. The lesion can sometimes bleed, become infected, or cause pain. Unlike infantile hemangiomas, verrucous hemangiomas do not go away on their own and tend to slowly expand and thicken throughout life. Treatment can be challenging because the abnormal blood vessels extend deep into the skin and underlying tissue. Surgical removal is the most common approach, but recurrence after surgery is frequent because the deeper parts of the lesion are difficult to remove completely. Laser therapy, sclerotherapy (injecting a solution to shrink blood vessels), and combination approaches may also be used. Early and accurate diagnosis is important because verrucous hemangioma is often confused with other vascular or skin conditions, and delayed treatment can lead to larger, harder-to-treat lesions.
Key symptoms:
Dark red, blue, or purple skin patch present at birth or early childhoodRough, wart-like (verrucous) surface that develops over timeThickened, raised skin lesion that grows with the childLesions most commonly on the legs or feetOccasional bleeding from the lesionSkin infections at the site of the lesionPain or tenderness in the affected areaDarkening of the lesion over timeCrusting or scaling on the surface of the lesionCosmetic concerns due to the appearance of the lesion
Clinical phenotype terms (7)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Verrucous hemangioma.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Verrucous hemangioma at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Verrucous hemangioma.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Verrucous hemangioma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Verrucous hemangioma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Verrucous hemangioma
No recent news articles for Verrucous hemangioma.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is this definitely verrucous hemangioma, and how was it distinguished from other similar conditions?,How deep does the lesion extend, and will imaging be needed before treatment?,What treatment approach do you recommend, and what are the chances of recurrence?,How often should we schedule follow-up visits to monitor the lesion?,Are there any signs we should watch for that would require urgent medical attention?,Will my child need multiple treatments over time?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments being studied for this condition?
Common questions about Verrucous hemangioma
What is Verrucous hemangioma?
Verrucous hemangioma is a rare vascular skin condition that is present at birth or appears in early childhood. Despite its name, it is not a true hemangioma (a common type of blood vessel growth in babies that usually goes away on its own). Instead, verrucous hemangioma is a vascular malformation, meaning it is an abnormal formation of blood vessels that does not shrink over time and tends to grow as the child grows. The condition typically appears as a dark red, blue, or purple patch or raised area on the skin, most often on the legs or feet. Over time, the surface of the lesion becomes roug
How is Verrucous hemangioma inherited?
Verrucous hemangioma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Verrucous hemangioma typically begin?
Typical onset of Verrucous hemangioma is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.