Who is affected by birthmarks

Treatment options depend on several factors, including the type, location, and severity of the birthmark. External hemangiomas are birthmarks that appear when extra blood vessels develop. They are a type of benign tumor.

Most people only develop one, and…. Slate gray nevi previously known as Mongolian blue spots are a type of birthmark that resembles a bruise. They are not harmful and often disappear…. Neurofibromatosis is an inherited disorder of the nervous system in which tumors develop on nerves, leading to a range of complications. Pityriasis rosea is a largely benign skin rash that often appears to be more severe that it actually is. It may be accompanied by a feeling of…. Vitiligo is a long-term skin problem that produces white patches of depigmentation on certain sections of skin.

Find out about the causes and…. What to know about birthmarks. Written by Adam Felman on July 23, It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation.

When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to.

Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.

Your health care provider will examine your skin to make the diagnosis. You may have a biopsy to look for skin changes that are signs of cancer. Your provider may take pictures of your birthmark to compare changes over time.

The type of treatment you have depends on the type of birthmark and related conditions. Usually, no treatment is needed for the birthmark itself. Large birthmarks that affect your appearance and self-esteem may be covered with special cosmetics. You may have surgery to remove moles if they affect your appearance or increase your risk for cancer.

The most common vascular blood vessel birthmarks are macular stains, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains:. Macular stains. Also called salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites, these faint red marks are the most common type of vascular birthmark. Macular MA-kyuh-ler stains typically are on the forehead or eyelids; the back of the neck; or on the nose, upper lip, or back of the head. They may be more noticeable when the baby cries.

Most often they fade on their own by the time a child is 1 to 2 years old, although some last into adulthood. Hemangiomas are superficial when they're on the surface of the skin "strawberry marks" , deep when found below the skin's surface, and compound when they affect both layers.

A hemangioma hee-man-jee-OH-muh can be slightly raised and bright red, and usually won't be visible until a few days or weeks after a baby is born. Deep hemangiomas might look bluish because they involve blood vessels in deeper layers of the skin. Hemangiomas grow quickly during the first 6 months or so of life, then usually shrink and disappear by the time a child is 5 to 10 years old.

Some, particularly larger ones, may leave abnormal skin as this happens. Surgery can fix this. Others may leave red pigmented skin, which can be helped with special laser treatment. Although they can be anywhere on the body, most hemangiomas are on the head or neck. They can cause problems if they interfere with sight, feeding, breathing, or other body functions. Port-wine stains. These discolorations look like wine was spilled on an area of the body, most often on the face, neck, arms, or legs.

Port-wine stains can be any size, but grow only as the child grows. They tend to darken over time, and can thicken and feel like pebbles in middle adulthood unless treated. They never go away on their own.

Doctors will watch ones near the eye to make sure they don't cause problems. Causes of birthmarks Types of birthmarks Treatment for birthmarks Birthmarks may be a symptom Where to get help. Any mark that is present on the skin at birth, or that develops soon afterwards, is called a birthmark. They are common and many children have a mark of some sort. Most are harmless and some go away as the child grows. Occasionally, a birthmark may be a sign of other problems or diseases.

Check with your doctor if you are not sure, especially if the mark changes unexpectedly. Causes of birthmarks In most cases, the cause of a birthmark is unknown. They are not caused by mothers doing something wrong during pregnancy.

They happen by chance. The occurrence of birthmarks may be inherited. Some marks may be similar to marks on other family members, but most are not. Red birthmarks are caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels.

Blue or brown birthmarks are caused by pigment cells melanocytes. The typical characteristics include: They are pink, flat and irregular-shaped marks. The skin is not thickened and you cannot feel any difference when you touch the mark. They are usually on the nape of the neck, eyelids, forehead and sometimes the sides of the nose and on the top lip. The marks usually disappear by 12 months of age, if not earlier.

The mark at the back of the neck may stay for longer, but it is usually covered by hair and out of sight. Occasionally, marks on the forehead, side of the nose and upper lip may persist longer. Mongolian spots The typical characteristics of Mongolian spots include: They are bluish, irregular flat patches. They are mainly found on the back and bottom, although any area can be affected. There is no thickening or change to the feel of the skin.