Birthmarks are an area of discoloration along the skin present at birth, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. However, some markings develop a few weeks later, according to the Mayo Clinic, so your child may develop a birthmark soon after you bring her home. While the majority of birthmarks aren't a cause for alarm, you should still consult with your doctor to ensure that the marking isn't a sign of an underlying condition. Some of the more common birthmarks have certain characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
Macular Stains
One of the most common birthmarks is a macular stain, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. They're distinguished by an area of mild redness on the surface of the skin. They can develop almost anywhere on the body; however, macular stains are often seen as a red streak on the back of the neck. Due to their size and shape, these birthmarks are typically referred to as "stork bites." Macular stains also develop as red markings on the forehead or eyelids, lending to its name of "angel's kisses."
Café Au Lait Spots
Another fairly common type of birthmark is the café au lait spot, notes the Mayo Clinic. Unlike macular stains, this type of birthmark is brownish tan in hue or the color of coffee with cream. They're flat to the skin and are generally oval in shape. Children with this type of birthmark often have more than one. They develop almost anywhere on the body. The Mayo Clinic recommends talking to a doctor when your child has more than six of these on the body, as it can be a sign of neurofibromatosis, which is a condition of the nervous system characterized by tumor growth on the nerves, explains the National Institutes of Health.
Slate Gray Nevus
Some children are born with a birthmark known as slate gray nevus. This type of birthmark is often mistaken for a bruise, notes the Mayo Clinic, due to its shape and color. It often appears oval with bluish gray hue on the lower back, but may also develop on the arms, legs or buttocks. Many children born with this type of birthmark need no treatment. It usually fades as the person ages.
Hemangiomas
The University of Maryland Medical Center also lists hemangiomas as another common birthmark. They're classified as "strawberry" or "cavernous." A strawberry hemangioma appears red in color and is slightly raised from the skin while a cavernous hemangioma is bluish in hue. Both forms of hemangiomas grow at a rapid rate for about 12 months after birth. After this time, they remain the same size and color until they shrink and disappear. Though treatment isn't often necessary, hemangiomas near the eye, throat, mouth or groin may need to be removed to prevent problems with sight, respiration, eating and urination, respectively.
Port-Wine Stains
Another birthmark that's reddish in hue is the port-wine stain. The Mayo Clinic explains that this type of birthmark starts of pinkish in color, but progressively darkens as a child ages, turning more red or purple in tone. They're most often seen along the neck and face, but port-wine stains can develop anywhere on the body. This type of birthmark is permanent, so treatment is necessary to remove it from the skin.
Congenital Nevus
The darkest birthmark present at birth is the congenital nevus. It's deep brown in color, ranging in size from about 0.4 in to 5.5 inches, according to the Mayo Clinic. This type of birthmark usually develops somewhere along the trunk of the body or on the scalp. The presence of a congenital nevus increases your risk of skin cancer, so regular checkups are recommended to track any skin changes.
