The term birthmark refers to a blemish on the skin of a newborn baby. A baby can develop birthmarks before being born or soon after birth. They are mostly harmless and many disappear on their own or shrink over time. A doctor should evaluate a birthmark when it first appears to determine its type and what kind of monitoring and treatment it needs, if any.
Causes of birthmarks
Birthmarks cannot be prevented and they are not caused by anything done or not done during pregnancy. The cause of most birthmarks is unknown. They can be inherited (but usually are not) and are unrelated to trauma to the newborn’s skin during childbirth.
Different types of birthmarks
Birthmarks can be flat or raised, have regular or irregular borders and have different shades of coloring from brown, tan, black or pale blue to pink, red or purple. The two main types of birthmarks are red, vascular (blood vessel) birthmarks (e.g. “strawberry” hemangiomas, port-wine stains and macular stains) and pigmented birthmarks (e.g. moles, café-au-lait spots and Mongolian spots).
The two main types of birthmarks are differentiated by the way they are formed. Vascular birthmarks occur when blood vessels have not formed correctly – there are too many of them or they are wider than usual. Pigmented birthmarks are formed by an overgrowth of the cells that create pigment in skin.
Treating birthmarks
Pigmented birthmarks are usually untreated, with the exception of moles and, occasionally, café-au-lait spots. Moles are sometimes surgically removed, although the removal of the larger ones may be more difficult. Café-au-lait spots can be removed with laser treatment, but often return.
Vascular birthmarks, on the other hand, can be treated. The exception is macular stains (also called “angel kisses” or “stork bites”), which usually fade away on their own.
Port-wine stains and certain hemangiomas can be disfiguring and embarrassing for children. Hemangiomas are usually left alone, as they typically shrink back into themselves by the time the child is nine years old. Larger or more serious hemangiomas often are treated with steroids.
Helping children deal with birthmarks
Birthmarks range from hardly noticeable to disfiguring, but no matter how large or small they are, they can be upsetting for the child. Talking simply and openly about a birthmark with your children when they are old enough to understand, makes them more likely to accept it as just another part of themselves.
Call your health provider if a birthmark ever bleeds, hurts, itches, or becomes infected.
Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about birthmarks.