What Do You Know About Birthmarks?

What Is a Birthmark?

Present at birth or developing shortly after birth, a birthmark is a coloured mark on or under the skin. Some become more pronounced, whereas others fade with time. Caused by extra pigment-producing cells in the skin or by blood vessels that do not grow normally are the birthmarks. Painless and harmless are most birthmarks. They can cause complications or are associated with other conditions in rare cases. You should let birthmarks to be checked by a doctor. 

Salmon Patches

Appearing as small, pink, flat marks on the skin are salmon patches as a nest of blood vessels. In one-third of new-born babies, this condition is observed. They are seen to be prominent on the back of the neck, between the eyes, or on the forehead, nose, upper lip, or eyelids.

Patches on the back of the neck usually don’t go away as some fade as baby grows. Requiring no treatment is the salmon patches. 

Port Wine Stains

Gradually becoming darker and reddish-purple with age is a port-wine stain that begins as a flat, pinkish-red mark at birth. Most of them may get bigger and thicker too. Occurring in about three out of every 1000 babies are port wine stains caused by dilated blood capillaries.

Increasing the risk of glaucoma are those on the eyelid. Usually not, but port-wine stains may be a sign of other disorders. Including laser therapy, oral prednisone, skin grafts, and masking makeup are the treatments. 

Congenital Melanocytosis

Flat, smooth marks that are present from birth is congenital melanocytosis. They are typically blue but can also be bluish-grey, bluish-black, or brown that are frequently found on the buttocks or lower back. Most common on darker-skinned babies, they may resemble a bruise. It may never disappear entirely whereas congenital melanocytosis usually fades by school age. There is no need for treatment. 

Cafe-Au-Lait Spots

Ranging in colour from light to medium brown, which is how they got their name “coffee with milk” in French, café-au-lait spots are smooth and oval. They come to be found typically on the torso, buttocks, and legs. They are generally not considered a problem whereas Café-au-lait spots may get bigger and darker with age. Linked with neurofibromatosis and the rare McCune-Albright syndrome are having several spots larger than a quarter. If your child has several spots, consult a doctor.

Strawberry Haemangiomas

A collection of small, closely packed blood vessels is haemangiomas. Usually, on the face, scalp, back, or chest, strawberry haemangiomas occur on the surface of the skin. Often raised with sharp borders, they may be red or purple. Occurring in 2 of every 100 babies born are these.

Usually developing a few weeks after birth is strawberry haemangiomas. Before disappearing around age 9, they grow rapidly through the first year. Remaining at the site is some slight discoloration or puckering of the skin. They may need to be treated or removed when they develop near the eye or mouth or in a location that can bleed or become infected whereas otherwise no treatment is required. 

Cavernous Hemangiomas

Appearing as a bluish spongy mass of tissue filled with blood, present at birth are deeper cavernous haemangiomas just under the skin. The overlying skin may look normal if they are deep enough. Typically, appearing on the head or neck are cavernous haemangiomas. By puberty, most disappear. The possibility is of the occurrence of a combination of cavernous and strawberry haemangiomas. 

Venous Malformation

Caused by abnormally formed, dilated veins are the venous malformations. They may not become apparent until later in childhood or adulthood although present at birth. Appearing in 1% to 4% of babies, are venous malformations. Here they come found on the jaw, cheek, tongue, and lips. In other areas of the body also they may appear. They don’t shrink with time as they continue to grow slowly. Treatment may be necessary for pain or impaired function which is often sclerotherapy or surgery. 

To Conclude, A Note On Congenital Nevi

Moles that appear at birth are known as congenital nevi. Here in this case the surface comes to be flat, raised, or bumpy. Varying in size from less than an inch to over 8 inches, these moles can grow anywhere on the body. Occurring in 1% of new-borns is congenital nevi. Whereas not most of the moles are dangerous. Having an increased risk of developing into melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer are congenital nevi, especially the large ones. It is necessary to monitor all moles for changes.