Types Of Birthmarks and How To Treat Them

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:24:43 EST

Unusual marks on the skin of newborn babies or even maturechildren are known as naevi, or birthmarks. They consist either of an area ofabnormal pigmentation, or of a localized

abnormalities of the blood vessels in the skin. They varywidely in size and position. Some are unsightly, but many are insignificant, orcan even give an individuality which is a source of pride or identity. The differentsorts of birthmarks have different names, and knowing the type of mark willoften enable the doctor to tell what will happen to it and if treatment will benecessary.

The blemishes come in various sizes and colours, rangingfrom deep blue to chocolate brown. Babies can be born with one or several ofthem.

Types of birthmarks

Stork marks

A distinctive triangular blotchy red or brown mark foundbetween the eyebrows and spreading out over the fore head. There is alsoaccompanying patch at the back of neck.

They fade out into childhood and don’t require treatment.

Strawberry marks

They appear in the first month of life after birth. They occuranywhere in the skin and consist of dilated blood vessels giving a red or chocolateraised bumpy lesion(straw berry shaped). Strawberry marks keep enlarging untilthe child is about six month after which they gradually in size and color untilthey disappear. They can bleed or get infected if the get knocked. They appearon the face, back or neck. They are not permanent and therefore it is betterleft alone.

Port Wine stains

They are irregular shaped deep red or dark brown patches onthe skin. They lie flat on the skin and often appear on the face or trunk. Theyare present at birth and cover a large area of skin. They consist of dilatedcapillaries in the skin and do not alter in shape or size.

They are often small and permanent but can be removed usinglesser treatment.

Café-au-lait spots

One of the commonest forms of birthmarks which are smoothlight or dark brown patches of skin occurring anywhere on the body. They areseldom unsightly and permanent.

Mongolian blue spots

Asian and African babies(as name suggest it was for mongolian children but also found in africans) may have a bluish blemish of lowerback, sometimes spreading as far as the shoulders. They become less obviouswith age.

Treatment for birthmarks

Studies show that treatment is more successful if doneearly. Although strawberry marksregress, in rare cases, they can getvery large or obstruct the eye, ear or breathing passages, in which case theymay need treatment.

Port wine stains is removed by laser. This usually startsbefore age of two and can take up to sixtreatments, spread over three years to remove it completely depending on theseverity and number of birthmarks..

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Types Of Birthmarks and How To Treat Them