Have you ever noticed a small spot or discoloration on your skin, or on your little one's skin? These are often what we call 'birthmarks'. They are very common, and they come in all shapes and sizes. As the name suggests, they are often present at birth. Some fade with age, while others may remain for life, until you decide to remove them.
Are birthmarks dangerous? Should I worry?
Okay, so now you're probably wondering if these birthmarks are dangerous or if you should be concerned about them. Most birthmarks are harmless and don't cause any pain. However, there are some types of birthmarks, for example, some types of warts (congenital nevi), which can sometimes increase your risk of developing skin cancer. So if you notice any changes in your birthmark – like it getting bigger or changing color – it's best to see a doctor.
What are the main types of birthmarks?
Simply put, birthmarks can be divided into two main types. They are:
- Vascular birthmarks : These are made up of blood vessels. These spots occur when blood vessels do not form properly during the fetal period. They are also called 'red birthmarks' because the color of the spot comes from the blood vessels in the skin. These can sometimes be present at birth, or they can appear a few days after birth.
- Pigmented birthmarks: These are formed by the aggregation of pigment cells (melanocyte cells). These cells are what give our skin its color. So the color of these birthmarks is different from the rest of your skin. They can be brown, black, or even blue.
Now, shall we talk about these two types in a little more detail?
Vascular birthmarks
Okay, first let's see what these blood vessel birthmarks are. There are different types of these too.
- Strawberry hemangiomas : Also called nevus vascularis, capillary hemangioma, or hemangioma simplex. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, scalp, back, or chest. They are made up of small, clumped blood vessels. Sometimes they are not visible at birth and may appear a few weeks later. They usually grow quickly, stay the same size for a while, and then fade away. In most cases, strawberry hemangiomas go away by the time a child is about 9 years old. However, sometimes the skin where the mole was may have changed color or become slightly wrinkled.
- Cavernous hemangiomas : Also called angioma cavernosum or cavernoma. These are similar to strawberry hemangiomas, but they grow deeper under the skin. They look like a reddish-blue sponge, a lump of blood-filled tissue. Some of these spots will go away on their own, usually by the time your child is old enough to start school.
- Port-wine stain : These are flat, purplish-red birthmarks. They are caused by dilated blood capillaries in the skin. They are most commonly seen on the face and can be of any size. Port-wine stains are permanent if left untreated. They can darken and thicken over time. So if they are visible on the body, especially on the face, some people may feel a little self-conscious about their appearance.
- Salmon patches : These are also called 'stork bites' or 'angel kiss birthmarks'. They are said to occur in 30% to 50% of newborns. These are actually tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that are visible through the baby's skin. They are most commonly seen on the forehead, above the eyelids, on the upper lip, between the eyebrows, and on the back of the neck. These spots gradually fade as the baby grows.
Pigmented birthmarks
Now let's look at birthmarks caused by pigment cells (`(Melanocyte cells)`). These too are different.
- Dermal melanocytosis : These were previously called 'Mongolian spots'. These are usually blue in color and look like bruises. They are most often seen on the buttocks and/or lower back. However, they can also appear on the midsection or arms. These are nothing to worry about, and they usually fade as the child grows.
- Pigmented nevi (moles) : These are what we commonly call moles. They look like raised bumps on the skin. They can be the same color as your skin, or they can be brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the body, either alone or in groups.
- Congenital nevi : These are warts that are present at birth. About one in 100 people are said to have one or more at birth. These birthmarks, depending on their size, have a small risk of developing into skin cancer. Congenital nevi larger than 20 centimeters have a higher risk of developing skin cancer than smaller ones. Therefore, all congenital nevi should be examined by a doctor. Also, if there is any change (color, size, shape) in these birthmarks, the doctor should be informed.
- Café-au-lait spots : These are light brown spots, similar to the color of coffee grounds. They are often oval in shape. They can be present at birth, or they can appear within the first few years of a child's life. Having just one café-au-lait spot is nothing to worry about. However, if you have several spots larger than the size of a coin, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as neurofibromatosis. So it's a good idea to see a doctor if you notice any of these.
Does everyone have birthmarks?
Do you think everyone has birthmarks? Birthmarks are actually very common, but not everyone has one. According to statistics, about 10% of babies born worldwide have a specific type of birthmark called ``Hemangioma''.
How do birthmarks look?
Birthmarks look different for everyone. Size, shape, color – all of these can vary. Here are some common characteristics of a birthmark:
- A spot on your skin that may be flat or slightly raised.
- This spot can range in size from the tip of a pin to the size of your fist.
- The color of the mole is different from the color of the surrounding skin (pink, red, purple, light brown, dark brown, or black).
Pigmented birthmarks can grow larger and change color as you age. These changes can be especially noticeable when you are exposed to the sun or during times of hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy or puberty). They can sometimes itch and may bleed if you scratch them.
What causes birthmarks?
A question that many people ask is, 'Why do these birthmarks form?' In fact, the exact cause of birthmarks has not yet been found. However, it is believed that sometimes birthmarks can be caused by things like:
- Blood vessels do not develop as expected during the fetal stage (cause of ``Vascular birthmarks'').
- Melanocyte cells (cells that give skin color) grow together in clusters (cause of pigmented birthmarks).
- If certain types of birthmarks run in families, it could be a genetic predisposition.
- Some underlying medical conditions can also cause birthmarks. For example, conditions like Nevus sebaceous syndrome, skin cancer, or Neurofibromatosis.
The important thing is that birthmarks are not caused by anything a mother did or didn't do during pregnancy. They are a natural occurrence.
Can birthmarks cause complications?
Birthmarks are usually not a big problem. However, some complications can arise with pigmented birthmarks. Especially if the birthmark is located on a visible part of the face, it can have a psychological impact. This can cause you to feel upset about your appearance and lose self-confidence.
Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, some pigmented birthmarks may slightly increase your risk of developing skin cancer. So if you notice a change in the color, size, or texture of your or another birthmark, you should definitely see a doctor. If a birthmark is painful, bleeding, itchy, or swollen, see a doctor right away.
How to identify birthmarks?
Identifying a birthmark is usually not a big deal for a doctor. They will do a thorough physical exam of your skin. They can then tell if it is a birthmark and what type it is.
But sometimes, if the mole is very deep in the skin, your doctor may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, ultrasound, or computed tomography scan to confirm the diagnosis. If your mole changes in size or shape, it may be a sign of skin cancer, so a small piece of skin may need to be taken for testing (a skin biopsy).
How do you remove a birthmark?
If you are unhappy with the way your birthmark looks and want to have it removed, you can talk to a doctor about it. Never try to remove a birthmark yourself at home, as it can be dangerous.
Sometimes, if you think you are at high risk of developing skin cancer, your doctor may recommend removing some birthmarks.
There are several treatments used to remove a birthmark:
- Cryotherapy : A treatment using extreme cold.
- Laser removal (`(Laser removal)`) .
- Surgical removal (`(Surgical removal)`) .
- Cortisone injections : These are used for some types.
The doctor will examine your birthmark and tell you what treatment is best for you. Usually, birthmarks in children are treated after the child is about 6 years old. However, if the birthmark affects the functioning of important organs such as vision or breathing, treatment may be done earlier.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
If a birthmark is surgically removed, there is a risk of scarring. However, surgeons take special care to minimize the risk of scarring. There is also a risk of infection after the birthmark is removed. To avoid these risks, ask your surgeon or other doctor about how to care for your skin after treatment while it heals.
Can birthmarks be prevented?
There is no way to prevent birthmarks from forming. They are a natural process that happens most of the time. However, you can reduce the risk of your birthmarks changing color or becoming skin cancer due to sun exposure. You can do this by protecting your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Wear sunscreen when you go outside, wear clothing that covers your body, and limit your exposure to the sun during peak hours of the day – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
What to do if you have birthmarks?
Most birthmarks are harmless and just a cosmetic concern. Sometimes they are called 'beauty marks' because they add a unique touch to your appearance. In most cases, birthmarks do not need to be treated. Moles like salmon patches and strawberry hemangiomas will fade over time. Other types of birthmarks will stay with you for life until you decide to have them removed.
However, sometimes large moles, especially those in a visible area, can affect your self-esteem. If you feel uncomfortable about your appearance, you can do these things:
- Talk to a mental health professional about what's on your mind.
- Talk to a doctor about removing the birthmark.
- Use makeup to reduce the appearance of the birthmark.
When should I see a doctor?
If you notice any changes to an existing birthmark, or if you notice new skin spots, see a doctor. Be especially aware of changes like these:
- Bleeding (`(Bleeding)`)
- Pain (`(Pain)`)
- Itching (`(Itchiness)`)
- Signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, pus)
- Size increase (`(Size increase)`)
- Irregular appearance (e.g., irregular edges, different colors appearing)
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, you can ask questions like these:
- "What type of birthmark do I have?"
- "What options do I have to remove this birthmark?"
- "What are the side effects of removing a birthmark?"
- "Will this birthmark of mine go away on its own?"
Remember briefly.
Okay, so these are some things to remember from what we've talked about.
Birthmarks are marks on your skin that are usually harmless. They are not caused by anything a mother did or didn't do during pregnancy. They are something that naturally adds to your appearance. Some of them may or may not be visible.
If you are unhappy with the way your mole looks, you can talk to a doctor about having it removed, and there is nothing to be afraid of. Some moles change over time, and very rarely, some can even turn into skin cancer. Therefore, if you notice any changes in your mole, it is wise to seek medical advice immediately.
` Birthmarks, skin tags, skin diseases, hemangiomas, warts, skin cancer, baby spots
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