Ellis Coombes is our three year old boy who has a severe facial Strawberry Birthmark, a condition known as a Capillary Haemangioma. Although quite common - 1 in 10 babies have them - it is rare for the condition to be quite so severe.
Unfortunately we cannot get treatment for Ellis in the UK, as the NHS advise that this type of birthmark will gradually reduce in size over time. However, the amount of swelling meant Ellis’ eyesight was at risk and so, like any parent wanting to do the best for the child, we sought help from experts in the USA, and are having to privately fund this treatment.
This is where we need your help as it can cost up to £15,000 per trip, dependant upon the surgery.
Jason & Debbie Coombes
About Strawberry Birthmarks (haemangioma)
Strawberry naevi can be described as bright red raised marks usually on the face and neck, caused by a large number of excess blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
Strawberry naevi usually appear in the first few weeks of life and can grow rapidly to become large, bright red and very sore. In some cases strawberry birthmarks such as Capillary Haemangioma can be severely problematic interfering with breathing, eyesight, hearing and speech, although up to 60% of all birthmarks are misdiagnosed.
The natural pattern of a strawberry birthmark is that the mark usually remains constant for a while before starting to shrink and reduce in size; usually with out treatment. Very occasionally in the case of a large strawberry naevus there will be some redundant skin remaining after the mark has reduced in size and laser treatment or surgical treatment may be necessary, but often treatment is not readily available within the UK. Instead a wait-and-see approach is preferred as the NHS advise most strawberry naevi will gradually disappeared by the time the child reaches the age of 10.