Most birthmarks are harmless and don’t need any treatment. However, some of them can increase the risk of certain conditions including skin cancers. These birthmarks will need to be monitored as the child grows as removal may be necessary.
Pigmented birthmarks
These birthmarks occur when there is stronger pigment in one area of the skin than in other areas. Types of pigmented birthmarks include:
Moles (congenital nevi)
Moles can vary in colour from black or light brown to fleshy or pink. They’re usually round but may be raised or flat and generally vary in size.
Moles may present themselves anywhere on the body or face. Some moles will remain on the skin for life while others fade away. A change in a mole may point to skin cancer so should be investigated.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas (often called strawberry or cherry hemangiomas) may present as bright red, pink or even blue. They’re often found on the body’s extremities, or on the neck or head.
This type of birthmark may start out small in size and flat in shape. Sometimes they grow during the first few months of a baby’s life, becoming elevated and larger. Many hemangiomas fade away completely by the time the child reaches their teenage years, although a pale mark may remain.
Hemangiomas don’t usually require medical removal however if they interfere with a child’s breathing or vision, or they grow very fast, then treatment may be required. Furthermore, if the child has several hemangiomas on their skin they should be checked for internal hemangiomas as well.
Café au lait spots
These birthmarks are oval-ish in shape and translate as “coffee with milk” from French. They’re typically pale brown in colour. The darker the child’s skin is naturally, the darker their café au lait spot will be. This type of birthmark may occur at any time from birth through early childhood. They may become larger in size but often fade. Some children have more than one café au lait spot. Multiple spots may indicate a rare medical condition, called neurofibromatosis.
Mongolian blue spots
Mongolian blue spots are flat and have a blue hue to them. They’re also far more common in people whose skin is naturally darker. They look similar to bruising, but they aren’t harmful and should not be painful. Often Mongolian spots disappear completely by the time the child is around 4 years old and are commonly found on the buttocks and lower back.
Vascular birthmarks
Vascular birthmarks show as a cluster of extra blood vessels that are clumped together under the skin. They’re present in roughly 40% of new-borns and are generally harmless.
Port-wine stains (nevus flammeus)
Port-wine stains are caused by abnormal formation of small blood vessels under the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the neck and face.
Port-wine stains are often purple but may also be red or pink. If left untreated they tend to get darker as the child gets older and they don’t usually fade. The skin may also be uneven in colour or tone or could be thicker or pebbled.
If the port-wine stain affects the eyelids, it will need to be monitored or potentially treated. Occasionally they may be associated with other genetic conditions.
Salmon patches
This type of birthmark often occurs in the area between eyes, on the eyelids, or on the back of the neck red. As the name suggests they were frequently pink or red in colour and are sometimes called stork bites or angel kisses.
Salmon patches are caused by clusters of small blood vessels under the skin. They don’t usually require any medical treatment and usually fade in colour over time.
Try our two CPD courses run by experts in their field
Are you a healthcare provider who regularly conducts well baby clinics? If so, why not sign up for the well-baby check challenge 0–6-month of age. Covering a broad range of issues including common and not so common conditions seen in babies of this age group, the course will explore a variety of presentations that are often of concern or noted during these sessions. Held online over one day, it’s worth 8 hours of CPD and all course materials are provided.
Don’t forget there’s also our Six-eight-week baby check: update your screening skills: Online course. It’s ideal for practitioners who have completed an accredited neonatal or 6–8-week examination course and require a yearly update. It’s also ideal for practitioners who would like to refine their current skills.
This course is also worth 8 hours of CPD over one day and as it’s held online is ideal for those looking to learn interactively but flexibly.
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