Baby Birthmarks Explained

Soon after delivery, almost every new mother avidly checks for the correct number of fingers and toes of her newborn. Included in this quick survey is a cursory skin evaluation. Imperfections in the skin are commonly called birthmarks. Birthmarks come in every colour, shape, and size and could be composed of any type tissue. Most baby birthmarks are of no medical significance, but a few may signal the possibility of important internal problems.

 

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Birthmark Removal

 

What Are the Most Common Types of Baby Birthmarks?

The following are the most common types of birthmarks:

• Stork bites or salmon patches: These are small pink or red birthmark on baby often found on the eyelids, between the eyes, upper lip and back of the neck. They are caused by a concentration of immature blood vessels and may be the most visible when the baby is crying. Most of these fade and disappear completely.You may want to read further, What You Need to Know About Stork Mark or Stork Bite?

 

• Mongolian spots: These are blue or purple splotches on the baby’s lower back and buttocks. African-American, Asian and Indian babies have Mongolian spots, but they occur in dark-skinned babies of all races. The spots are caused by a concentration of pigmented cells. They usually disappear in the first four years of life.

 

• Strawberry Hemangiomas: This is a bright or dark red, raised or swollen, bumpy area that is formed by a concentration of tiny, immature blood vessels. Most of the strawberry birthmark in babies occur on the head but can appear anywhere on the body. They may not appear at birth, but often develop in the first few months. Infantile hemangiomas are more common in premature babies, can grow in size for several months and then gradually begin to fade. While most infantile hemangiomas can get smaller during the first five years of life, they sometimes require surgery for removal. If the hemangioma is especially large or occurs near the eye, in the mouth or blocks the ear canal, our specialists will conduct an evaluation.

 

• Port-wine stains: A port-wine stain is a flat, pink, red or purple birthmark. These are caused by a concentration of dilated tiny blood vessels called capillaries. They usually occur on the head or neck. They may be small, or they may cover large areas of the body. Port-wine stains do not change color when gently pressed and do not disappear over time. They may become darker and may bleed when the child is older or as an adult.

 

• Moles: Also known as congenital nevi, these can be skin-coloured, brown or black, flat or raised and small or large. They can occur anywhere on the body. Moles can also occur in adulthood, but only moles that are present at birth (congenital) are considered birthmarks. Congenital nevi can develop into cancer later in life and the size of the nevi is important, as larger nevi are more likely to become cancerous.

 

• Cafe-Au-Lait Spots: The name of this spot appeal to have a striking resemblance to coffee. Their colour is similar to that of coffee spiked with a bit of milk. A single small lesion is of no medical significance. More than six of these spots may signal the presence of one of a number of heritable genetic diseases.

 

What Causes Birthmarks in Babies?

Although experts do not really understand what causes birthmarks, as some birthmarks are hereditary, and others are not. Not all birthmarks appear exactly at birth, but sometimes can appear much later. Depending on the type of birthmark, it may darken, fade, shrink, grow or disappear as the child grows older. Occasionally, birthmarks can signal greater underlying medical issues like nerve and skin disorders or cancer. Most birthmarks do not cause any physical harm, but some can lead to emotional or psychological distress if the blemish is viewed as unsightly or disfiguring. It is not understood why some babies have birthmarks, and others do not. While the medical community can explain birthmarks as either vascular or pigmented in their origins, there is no clear explanation as to why they occur. There is no known way to prevent birthmarks, but there are treatment and removal options for certain types.

Treatments for Baby Birthmark Removal

If a birthmark is causing an abnormal appearance or health problems, our plastic surgeons can discuss treatment options for your child. Skin City is one of the few places in the world offering treatment for birthmarks like Hairy Melanocytic Nevus, moles, Nevus of Ota, Becker’s nevus, Haemangioma, AV malformations, Verrucous Epidermal nevus and Nevus comedonecus.

With the latest laser technology and tools in Skin City’s armamentarium, we treat baby birthmarks from the root. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Skin City clinics. We’re dedicated to the medical and surgical care of infants and children so you can drop by at any of our clinics and consult our experts.

Also Read: How to Remove Your Birthmarks?

Our experience and reputation make Skin City one of the most sought-after dermatologists in Maharashtra.

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