Birthmark basics

Many babies are born with random acne or spots, but these temporary blemishes aren’t considered birthmarks. Rather, birthmarks are a permanent or semi-permanent skin condition that’s present at birth or develops shortly thereafter.

There are many different types of birthmarks, but all are categorized under two main groups: vascular or pigmented.

Vascular birthmarks

Remember that famous red stain on Gorbachev’s bald head? That was actually a port-wine stain — a type of vascular birthmark. Caused by improperly formed blood vessels, vascular birthmarks affect one in 10 children born per year. Thankfully, new techniques like laser therapy can successfully treat most types of vascular birthmarks.

These are the three most common vascular birthmarks:

1. Macular stains: These go by some fun nicknames — angel kisses, stork bites and salmon patches. They usually crop up in visible areas like the nose, eyelids, forehead or upper lip. Even more disturbing for parents, macular stains get red and angry along with baby — crying and fussing can make the marks more prominent. There's no treatment available for these birthmarks. But, macular stains are very likely to fade away on their own, usually by the age of two.
2. Hemangiomas: These birthmarks can be tricky. First off, hemangiomas come in two forms. Raised red marks are called strawberry hemangiomas. Cavernous hemangiomas are bluish-colored marks that lie deeper under the skin’s surface. Secondly, they can lie in wait for several weeks after birth, suddenly appearing anywhere on the body.

   Depending on where they’re located, they can even cause problems with functions like eating and sight — some even appear on internal organs. Some hemangiomas grow exponentially, while others stay small and manageable.

   In most cases, hemangiomas go away on their own. Ninety percent of the time, they disappear by the age of nine. Since these birthmarks can cause problems depending on size and location, however, treatment with corticosteroids, lasers, and surgery are all feasible options.

3. Port-wine stains: Unfortunately, these birthmarks are usually permanent. Appearing on the face or body as red, pink or purple flat stains (hence their name), these marks can cause worry as well as embarrassment. Port-wine stains sometimes indicate other serious medical conditions. And if they appear on the eyelid, they may put your child at a higher risk for glaucoma down the line. However, these scenarios are extremely rare. Most port-wine stains are simply a cosmetic concern, which doctors can effectively treat with lasers.

Pigmented birthmarks

Pigmented birthmarks are an overgrowth of the cells that create pigment — the important substance that gives us our unique coloring. Simple cosmetic surgery can usually remove these types of birthmarks.

These are the most common pigmented birthmarks:

1. Mongolian spots: Common on darker skin, these are flat, bluish gray spots that occur on the back and tend to completely disappear as your child gets older.
2. Cafè-au-lait spots: Small, light brown patches, resembling the color of coffee. They can appear anywhere on the body and typically fade with age. If your child has several spots, bigger than a quarter, have him or her evaluated, cautions Kids Health. These might be a sign of the genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis.
3. Moles: Flat or raised, these brown, tan or black spots can be small and insignificant or large. Called "congenital nevi," they’re present at birth and can last a lifetime. Some moles carry cancer concerns, but others are harmless. If the size, shape or color of a mole changes, see a dermatologist ASAP.

How parents can help

• Focus on your child’s emotional health. Most birthmarks are painless and harmless, but "birthmarks can affect...the emotional development of a child," dermatologist Robin Ashinoff, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, tells Pregnancy & Baby. "The teasing and staring that children with birthmarks often endure makes them self-conscious and may cause them to withdraw from social contact."
• Learn all you can about your child’s type of birthmark. Will it fade with time? Does it carry any health risks? What treatment options are available? Certain types of birthmarks respond better to early intervention, so time may be of the essence. Rather than self-diagnosing, consult a physician and get the facts.
• Teach by example. You may encounter people who stare or make rude comments about your child's condition, usually out of ignorance or lack of understanding. By handling these situations with tact and grace, you’ll help your child do likewise as he or she grows older.

See also:

Heat Rash

Sunscreen and Children: What Every Parent Must Know

Soft and Sweet: Skincare for Baby