Birthmarks are spots on your skin that do not look like the rest of your skin. A birthmark can be raised or flat, large or small, but is a different color from the rest of your skin. You may be self-conscious about your appearance due to the location of a birthmark, or it may be in a place that nobody sees. Birthmarks are common, and most often, nothing to worry about.
Types
The types of birthmarks are divided into two main groups, vascular and pigmented birthmarks. Vascular birthmarks are when blood vessel abnormalities occur, according to the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. These marks are usually pink, red or purple and include hemangiomas, a raised birthmark and port wine stain, a flat pink or red discolored patches, also called venual malformations, commonly found on the face. Pigment birthmarks occur when the skin's pigment is abnormal and more concentrated than normal in certain areas.
Pigment birthmarks include salmon patches, sometimes called stork kisses; a red stain usually located on the back of the neck near the hairline and mongolian spots, a bluish-black marking on the back or buttocks most commonly found in people of Asian descent or others with darker skin tone. Other pigment birthmarks are cafe au lait spots, pale brown or tan marks usually affecting the trunk and legs, and congenital nevi. Congenital nevi--singular is congenital nevus--is a dark brown mole that can appear anywhere on the body, and ranges widely in size.
Time Frame
The majority of birthmarks are indeed present at birth, but others can develop over time. Hemangiomas, a type of vascular birthmark, usually develop during a baby's first year, according to MayoClinic.com, while port wine stains, mongolian spots and congenital nevi are present when a child is born. Some birthmarks change in appearance as a child ages and many may be hard to detect later in life. Port wine stains are an exception to the rule; these marks darken in color as you age and do not disappear.
Causes
The cause of most birthmarks is not known other than you develop a concentrated, abnormal area of skin pigment that becomes the birthmark, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Hemangiomas result as an overgrowth of the endolethial cells in your blood vessels, but the reason for the abnormal growth is unclear. Birthmarks are not caused by injury to the mother during pregnancy, or distress during the birth process.
Treatment
Many birthmarks do not require treatment and fade in color over time. Some types of birthmarks require treatment to normalize vital functions or to improve cosmetic appearance.
Dark or very large marks such as port wine stains that may make you self-conscious can be treated with laser therapy. The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation explains that lasering port wine stains is not a permanent solution; several treatments are administered to fade the mark to a lighter color, and recurrences are common. Treating port wine stains early can prevent the skin from thickening and keep the stain from progressing to a dark purple color.
Hemangiomas, another form of vascular birthmark may require treatment, as well, if the location of the mark interferes with your life. A large strawberry mark could hamper your vision or hearing if located near the eyes or ears, for example. Cigna Health Care explains that corticosteroid medications injected into the birthmark can help to shrink the mark to a more manageable size. Hemangiomas may require surgical excision in some cases.
Other birthmarks, including cafe au lait spots or congenital nevi only require treatment for cosmetic purposes if desired; unless you show other signs of complications such as uneven borders of the birthmark, bleeding or infection, the marks do not pose a health threat.
Risks and Complications
Your birthmark may not interfere with your health and well-being at all, but there are some risks to take into consideration. MayoClinic.com explains that the dark hue congenital nevi birthmarks can increase your risk of skin cancer. Cafe au lait spots are not usually a problem when found singly on the body, but more than six such marks could be markers for an inherited condition called neurofibromatosis, in which tumors grow on the nerves throughout your body and can affect balance, hearing and other vital functions. Any birthmarks that bleed, grow larger in size or otherwise change in shape should be examined by your doctor.
