Types of Birthmarks

Birthmarks are the coloured patches of skin that are present since birth or appear soon afterwards, within first week of birth. These birthmarks are usually not harmful and do not cause any discomfort. Most of the birthmarks fade with time but these definitely cause some distress for the parents.

Types of Birthmarks

Birthmarks are of two types; hemangiomas and pigmented nevi.

Hemangiomas

These are formed from small blood vessels present just under the skin. Common forms of hemangiomas include stork marks, strawberry hemangiomas and port-wine stains. These are successfully treated with laser.

Stork marks (or salmon patch) are very common birthmarks, which occur in almost 50% of the babies at birth. It appears as a flat, pale-pink coloured patch between the eyebrows or at the nape of the neck. These marks usually disappear by the time the baby is 1.5 years of age.

Strawberry hemangiomas appear as small, flat, red coloured spots at birth. If it appears on the eyelid, it has to be treated before it enlarges and affects the baby’s vision. These enlarge rapidly during first year of life but disappear completely by the time the child is around 5 years of age. Though, these can be shrinked in size with the use of corticosteroids.

Port-wine stain is an irregular shaped, red coloured patch. It causes concern for the parents if it appears on the face of the baby. These are permanent stains, which can be treated through cosmetic laser surgery during infancy only so as to minimize the scarring. This stain is sometimes associated with abnormal blood vessels in the brain causing epilepsy.

Pigmented nevi

These are formed from hyperpigmentation skin cells. These include congenital melanocytic naevi, Mongolian blue spots and moles.

Congenital melanocytic naevi are seen as brown or black coloured raised nodules. These may also have hairy growth over them. The naevi are at risk of malignant change into melanoma. These can be removed through laser surgery.

Mongolian blue spots are irregular bluish spots seen usually over buttocks or lower back in dark-skinned babies. These may be mistaken as bruises and disappear completely by the time the child is 10 years of age.

Mole is a permanent, raised, dark brown or black patch on the skin. These must be checked for size, shape and colour because of the risk of malignant transformation. Moles can also be surgically removed, in case of concern.