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What is a birthmark?
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They can be brown, tan, blue, pink, or red. More than one in ten babies have (red) vascular birthmarks. These are made up of an increased number of blood vessels in the skin. They can be flat or raised, pink, red or bluish in color.
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What causes birthmarks?
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The exact causes of birthmarks are unknown. However, birthmarks are not inherited, nor are they caused by anything that happens to the mother during pregnancy.
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What are the different types of birthmarks?
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The most common types of birthmarks are macular (flat) stains, hemangiomas, venous lake and port wine stains.
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Hemangioma
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These marks do not usually appear immediately at birth, but become visible within the first few weeks of life. Hemangiomas are usually divided into two types: superficial (used to be called "strawberry" hemangiomas), and deep (used to be referred to as "cavernous" hemangiomas).
A superficial hemangioma is raised and bright red because the abnormal blood vessels are very close to the surface of the skin.
Hemangiomas are more common in females, more common on the head and neck, and more common in premature babies. They can be anywhere on the body.
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Macular Stains
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The most common type of birthmark is called a macular stain. They are also called "angel's kisses," when they are located on the forehead, eyelids, tip of nose, or upper lip. When they are found on the back of the neck, they are frequently called "stork bites." Macular stains are faint, mild red or pink, and flat. Angel's kisses almost always go away by two years of age, but stork bites usually persist into adulthood.
These birthmarks are harmless and require no treatment.
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Port Wine Stains
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Port-wine stains appear at birth. They are flat, pink, red or have a purplish discoloration. Port-wine stains are found most often on the face, neck, arms or legs. They can be any size. Unlike hemangiomas, port-wine stains grow proportionately as the child grows. Over time, port-wine stains may become thick and develop small bumps or ridges. Port-wine stains do not go away by themselves, and are permanent.
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How can birthmarks be improved?
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In most cases laser therapy is the best treatment for birthmarks. Several treatments are usually required, given at two month intervals to get significant improvement of birthmarks.
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What are the risks of treating a birthmark with a laser?
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An increase or decrease in skin color can occur, leaving patchy tanning or whitening of the skin. In most cases this is not permanent. Swelling, crusting or minor bleeding can occur. This is unusual and can be treated easily. Permanent scarring occurs in a small number of patients. Laser therapy is uncomfortable, but not extremely painful, as there is no cutting of the skin. General anesthesia is not required for most adults but topical anesthesia is available. However, general anesthesia is often necessary for toddlers and young children. If putting the child to sleep is required, there are some risks to general anesthesia as well as higher costs.
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