Info on Aldara (Imiquimod) for H

[mommabear]

Hi all,

My daughter (5 months old) just saw a dermatologist today for a Hemangioma on her forehead (see photo). The dermatologist suggested we trial Aldara (imiquimod) cream on it 3x week.

Anyone have any experience with this trmt? Also any feedback on trmt vs. wait and see??

Thx so much for your feedback.

[Teagan]

I'm surprised your dermatologist recommended Aldara. We saw our local specialist for our initial consultation this morning, and he also mentioned Aldara, but specifically pointed out that it hasn't been approved for children. Looking at the Aldara information on their website, it hasn't been studied much on pediatric patients.

That said, I'm not a physician, and I don't mean to sound like I'm second guessing yours. I'm just passing on what I was told so that you might inquire further if you'd like to. I'm curious what your doc says.

[nickbar]

The feedback from parents has been mixed. I would say 50% say they think it helped.

C

[mommabear]

Teagan, what has your dermatologist recommended for your child? Anything better than Aldara out there? My dermatologist has used it on her childs H with good outcomes.

In the mixed feedback from parents, Corrine, has anyone reported side-effects? Any better options.........I posted my baby's photo on my first post.

[mommabear]

Hi Corinne,

Dr. Martin Mihm, Jr. (VBF’s Research Director and Scientific Advisory Committee Chair was doing research on this drug (this is stated in the medications section of this website). Any verdicts out?

[Teagan]

The doc we saw wasn't a dermatologist. Rather than try to summarize his credentials, here's a quote directly from his site. As for what he recommended, he actually recommended Vbeam laser therapy to commence next week.

Arthur N. Falk, MD, Medical Director, oversees all clinical activities of the Center. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Falk is the Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Division of Otolaryngology at Albany Medical Center, and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery. Dr. Falk attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine, two year general surgery internship at Beth Israel Medical Center, and Residency in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He then completed an additional year of advanced subspecialty training in Facial Plastic and Craniofacial surgery at the SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY.

[mommabear]

Please keep me posted on how Vbeam laser trmt works....I'm really not sure what I am going to do at this time for my daughter.
I wish you well!

[Teagan]

If we proceed, I will absolutely keep you posted. Right now we're also scheduled to see a pediatric opthamologist next week who we've been told by many people in the local healthcare scene is VERY well respected in the community, and is very familiar with H's as well. We're going to bring up Vbeam to him and see what his thoughts are. Either way, I'll let you know what we do and how it goes.

[nickbar]

Side effects are minimum. Off the top of my head I can't think of anything stricking. It really depends on each case what route is best. Laser is definately something to look into when dealing with superfical part of hemangioma. I will get back to you about research

Corinne

[nickbar]

I heard back. Dr. Carpentiero states he is publishing a study (presented at the ISSVA meeting in Milan). About 50% of the cases it worked. All scalp hemangiomas were gone after treatment but a
moderate inflammatory reaction developed. No scarring was seen.