What is a Birthmark?
Birthmarks are markings that appear on the surface of a baby's skin at birth or within the first year of life. They can be dark or light in color, ranging from blue, brown, or red. Some birthmarks are raised, while others are flat, and they can appear in various locations on the baby's body. While some fade away, others are permanent.
What are the Causes of Birthmarks?
There is no definitive scientific study that explains why birthmarks develop. However, it is important to point out that birthmarks are not caused by something the mother ate or didn’t eat during pregnancy, as is commonly misunderstood. This misconception is not supported by research, so mothers can feel free to eat normally during pregnancy without concern.
What are the Types of Birthmarks?
Birthmarks can be mainly classified into pigmented birthmarks and vascular birthmarks.
Pigmented Birthmarks are caused by an overgrowth of pigment-producing cells in the skin.
Vascular Birthmarks result from abnormal blood vessel formation, where there are either too many blood vessels or they are wider than normal.
Pigmented Birthmarks
- Milk Coffee Spots: Named for their resemblance to milk coffee, these spots may increase in number or size with age. If the number of spots exceeds six or they are larger than a coin, seek medical help immediately, as this may affect your child's health.
- Mongolian Spot: Usually found in individuals of Asian descent, this birthmark is blue-grey in color and typically disappears as the baby grows.
- Mole: These are visible pigmented spots, typically brown or black, and can sometimes have hair or be raised. Depending on their size, they can affect your baby in different ways. Larger moles have a slight risk of transforming into skin cancer later in life, although this is relatively uncommon.
Vascular Birthmarks
- Salmon Spots (Angel's Kisses or Stork Bites): These birthmarks are typically located on the eyelids, forehead, back of the neck, top of the head, under the nose, and lower back. They darken in color when the baby cries but will usually disappear as the baby gets older.
- Wine-Colored Birthmarks: Often found on the face, neck, arms, or legs, these spots vary in size but tend to increase in size as the child grows. They usually darken over time and do not disappear, though they do so at a slower rate.
- Hemangiomas: Hemangiomas can be superficial (‘strawberry’) when they are on the surface of the skin, deep when they are below the surface, and compound when they affect both layers. They may be slightly raised and bright red, and usually do not appear until a few days or weeks after birth. Deeper hemangiomas may look blue due to blood vessels deep in the skin. Hemangiomas typically grow rapidly around six months after birth. If treatment is needed, discuss options with your baby's doctor as early as possible.
Can Birthmarks be Treated?
Some birthmarks fade away on their own, while others can be treated with methods such as laser therapy. However, they may recur, and larger pigmented moles are not always easy to remove.
Generally speaking, birthmarks do not have a significant impact on a baby's health and most are harmless. They are essentially a unique mark for your baby, adding to their individuality. However, birthmarks on visible areas such as the face may attract attention and cause discomfort for the child over time. Discussing treatment options with your doctor early on is a good approach, and maintaining open communication with your child about their unique mark is important for their emotional well-being.
References:
Kidshealth, (January 2021), Birthmarks
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/birthmarks.html
Nick Nguyen, (November 3, 2019), Baby Birthmarks & Rashes
American Academy of Dermatology Association, Birthmarks: Who gets and causes
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/birthmarks-overview
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
