Most newborns have at least one birthmark. The skin irregularities can vary in color, size, and shape. Some may fade with time, while others could last for a lifetime. Knowing the types of birthmarks helps parents to know what they can expect, and when medical attention may be needed.
Some birthmarks are purely cosmetic, while others may require monitoring by a healthcare professional. In this guide, we’ll explore the 6 Types of Baby Birthmarks, characteristics, and what parents should know about each one
What is a birthmark?
Birthmarks are irregularities of the skin that may be present or appear shortly after birth. Some birthmarks can be a sign of underlying health problems. While many are harmless, they often fade away or disappear with time. While the exact cause of their appearance is often unknown, we know that red birthmarks are caused by an excessive growth of blood vessels and blue or brown birthmarks are caused by pigment cells. Some birthmarks are hereditary. It’s common for children to inherit marks that look like their parents.
Understanding birthmarks will help ease the concerns of new parents. Many birthmarks are cosmetic. However, knowing their characteristics and types can help you get the right medical advice. The emotional impact of a birthmark on children can also affect their growth. Talking about their beauty and uniqueness can help them to feel confident and accepted.
6 Different Types of Baby Birthmarks:
1. Stork Bite
A stork’s bite is a common birthmark. It is also medically known as Naevus Flamingus. Nearly half of babies are estimated to have this type mark. It is typically characterized by the following:
- Appearance is a flat pink mark, which does not have a raised edge. No two marks are the same. These marks are often painted to look like a stain or splash of paint, which gives them an artistic touch.
- Location: Stork’s bites can be found often on the forehead, the back of the neck or the eyelids. They can even appear between the eyebrows in some cases.
- Longevity In most cases these marks disappear by the time a child turns one. Stork bites can last longer than usual, even into childhood and sometimes for the rest of a child’s life.
Stork bites can be harmless and don’t usually require medical attention. These marks are part of the normal skin variation in newborns, and many parents find this comforting. In some cultures they’re even a good luck sign!
2. Strawberry Mark
Strawberry marks, also known as Hemangioma of infancy, are another type of common birthmark. They usually appear between one and four weeks after birth. They are characterized by:
- Appearance: Bright red, raised and lumpy marks which can look like small strawberries. They can range in size and texture from a tiny dot to large lumps.
- Growth cycle: The marks will tend to get bigger for the first six months, before they stabilize around six to 12 months. The majority will fade over time, and 95% of them will disappear by age nine.
- Medical Treatment If the strawberry mark becomes large, affects your vision (if it is near the eye) or ulcerates, you may need medical attention. The treatment can be medication to stop the growth of the strawberry mark or laser therapy to shrink it.
Strawberry marks can be a source of anxiety for parents, particularly if the size or color changes. However, most cases will disappear naturally with time. As they fade away during childhood, many children don’t remember their strawberry marks.
3. Moles
Moles are known as Melanocytic Nevi and can develop at any age. There are two types of moles.
- Congenital moles are those that appear at birth or within the first year. Size, color and shape can be varied. They are often brown, blue, or black. Hair may grow from some congenital lesions, which is normal.
- Acquired Moles. They are most common after age two, and often affected by sun exposure.
Moles are either flat or raised. While most moles are harmless, you should monitor any changes. It is important to be vigilant when it comes to any changes that occur in the appearance of a mole. As a general rule, keep an eye out for moles that change in color or shape, grow, or are growing. Celebrities have praised moles on the face as beauty spots. It is possible to remove them if you wish, but some people choose to keep their moles as part of their individuality.
4. Mongolian Spots
Mongolian Spots or congenital Dermal Melanocytosis are flat, blue-gray patches, which often look like bruises. These spots are most common in babies of darker skin tone, like those from Asian or African descent. Mongolian spots are characterized by:
- Location: They are usually found on the lower back or buttocks. However, they can be found in other places on the body.
- Appearance These birthmarks can vary in size and color, from very small to large.
- Longevity: Ongolian spots fade away as a child grows and are often gone within the first couple of years.
Parents should know that these marks, although they may appear to be concerning at first glance, are perfectly normal and don’t require any treatment. Mongolian spots can be a source for intrigue in families and spark discussions about identity and heritage.
5. Port Wine Stain
Capillary malformations are birthmarks. They are most commonly found in children. They are characterized as:
- Appearance Initially flat, pink or red areas, port wine stains deepen over time, taking on a darker red or purple hue.
- Location: These lesions are most commonly found around the eyelids or forehead, but they can occur anywhere.
- Medical Conditions: Rarely, port wine stains may indicate underlying health issues, such as Sturge-Weber syndrome, which affects the brain and eyes, or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, where the stain is accompanied by growth abnormalities in nearby tissues.
Port wine stains, unlike other birthmarks, will not fade by themselves. Laser therapy may be required to reduce their appearance. Port wine stains can have a significant emotional impact. Children with these marks might feel self-conscious, especially when they start school. Talking openly about these birthmarks will empower your child and help reduce any stigma.
6. Cafe au Lait Spots
Birthmarks of a light brown color, called cafe au lait spots, can occur at birth or soon after. They are characterized by:
- Appearance Flat, oval-shaped spots with a color similar to coffee and milk. These spots range in size from very small to very large.
- Longevit: These marks are usually harmless and last for life.
- Medical Attention If your child has more than four or five cafe au lait spots on their skin, you should consult a doctor. In rare cases, these spots can be a sign of neurofibromatosis. This condition causes tumors to grow along nerves.
Early detection of potential health problems can be managed by understanding the significance and meaning of spots. Parents should be comfortable with discussing concerns with their pediatricians to ensure that their child’s well-being is being monitored.
What causes birthmarks?
Most birthmarks are caused by unknown factors. It is not due to mothers making a mistake during pregnancies. They are a result of chance.
Birthmarks can be inherited. Most birthmarks are different from those on family members. Red birthmarks can be caused by an excess of blood vessels. The pigment cells that cause blue or brown birthmarks (melanocytes) are to blame.
Are birthmarks genetic?
Most birthmarks do not run in families. Some are very rarely caused by genetic mutations.
Some babies with port wine stains, which look like a splash of red wine, may suffer from a rare condition known as Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome. This condition is caused primarily by a mutation in the DNA that’s not usually inherited.
A second rare condition, Sturge Weber syndrome, also manifests as port wine birthmarks along an especially branch of nerves. It is due to a different mutation. The condition is not inherited and does not run in families.
Can birthmarks occur later in life?
Birthmarks are skin spots that appear at birth or soon after. Some birthmarks can appear during childhood. Moles and other marks may appear on the skin later in life, but they are not considered birthmarks.
- Pigmented Birthmarks are caused by an excess of melanocytes or pigment cells in a particular area. Your skin’s natural color is determined by pigment cells.
- Vascular Birthmarks are caused by blood vessels that don’t develop in the right way. There may be too many clustered blood vessels in one place or the blood vessel may be wider than it should be.
Birthmarks: Treatment and prevention
The majority of birthmarks can be removed but are permanent. Mongolian spots, and haemangiomas in childhood are the only ones to fade over time.
Treatment can include:
- Haemangioma infancy: Sometimes, a strawberry-like mark can grow over the eye, or block one side or the nose. It may also ulcerate, or cause other issues. Propranolol can be used to treat these conditions.
- Melanocytic Naevus: These marks can be painful for the child and may need to be removed surgically. Other marks that begin to grow during the teenage years need to be closely monitored. Check with your doctor if the mark changes.
- Capillary Malformations do not go away on their own. Expert advice on laser treatment is recommended early because the appearance of these malformations can hurt a child’s self-esteem. Laser therapy can have positive results.
Birthmark Removal Treatments
Most birthmarks do not need to be removed. You may wish to remove a mark if it is not pleasing.
Some birthmarks such as moles or hemangiomas, depending on where they are located, can increase the risk of certain medical conditions such as skin cancer. Dermatologists should monitor these birthmarks, and they may need to be removed.
The following techniques can be used to remove birthmarks:
Surgery
Surgical removal is an option for some birthmarks. Very deep hemangiomas can damage healthy tissue. Some large moles can also be removed.
Birthmark Removal can be performed in an outpatient setting, and even at a dermatologist’s office. After administering local anesthesia, a doctor will use a small blade to remove the birthmark. The birthmark may need to be removed in several sections if it is large.
The use of tissue expansion to reduce scarring after surgical removal of birthmarks is also a surgical technique.
This procedure involves inserting a balloon beneath the healthy skin next to the birthmark. The new healthy skin will grow in the form of a flap. This flap covers the area where there was a birthmark. The balloon is removed.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers, also known as oral beta-blockers, are used to treat high cholesterol.
Propranolol, a beta-blocker, can also be used to reduce hemangiomas’ size or appearance. It works by reducing blood circulation and shrinking blood vessels. The hemangioma will soften, fade and shrink.
Timolol is another beta-blocker that can be used topically. It may produce similar results.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can significantly lighten or remove port-wine staining, making it less visible. A dermatologist or a surgeon performs this type of treatment. The treatment uses pulsing, highly concentrated beams of laser light.
Laser therapy is most effective when started at an early age, but it can be used for older children and adults. You will usually need multiple treatments.
The laser treatment can be painful and require an anesthetic. They can produce permanent results. You may experience temporary swelling or bruises.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can be taken by mouth or injected into birthmarks. They act directly on the blood vessels and help shrink the size.
Conclusion
Knowing the types of birthmarks on babies can give new parents peace of mind. Although most birthmarks fade over time and are generally harmless, knowing their characteristics will help you determine when medical advice is needed.
Knowledge is power, as with all aspects of parenting. As children grow, open discussions about birthmarks will encourage them to accept their uniqueness and develop a sense of self-acceptance. Birthmarks are a beautiful reminder of our uniqueness and the diversity in our skin.
