Do you have a birthmark or spot on your body or on your little baby's body? Maybe our people say, "It's a birthmark." Sometimes looking at these can make you a little scared. So today, let's talk about what these birthmarks really are and whether we should be afraid of them or not.
What exactly is a birthmark?
Simply put, a birthmark is a spot or spot on your skin that looks different in color than the surrounding skin. They are very common. Almost everyone has a birthmark somewhere on their body. As the name suggests, most of these are present when we are born. Some birthmarks fade away as we age. But some, unless we decide to remove them, will stay with us for life.
The important thing is that most birthmarks are completely harmless . They are not painful. However, some types of birthmarks (`(Congenital Nevi)`) may slightly increase your risk of developing skin cancer (`(Skin Cancer)`). So if you notice that the color, shape, or size of one of your birthmarks is changing, it is best to talk to a doctor about it.
What are the main types of birthmarks?
We can divide birthmarks into two main categories. Strictly speaking, they are divided this way based on how they are formed.
1. Vascular Birthmarks: These are caused by the tiny blood vessels (blood vessels) under the skin not forming properly while the baby is growing in the womb. This is why they are often red in color. These types of birthmarks can be present at birth or appear a few weeks after birth.
2. Pigmented Birthmarks: There is a type of cell that gives color to our skin, we call them melanocytes. These types of birthmarks are formed when these cells gather in large numbers in one place. They take on a different color than the surrounding skin. They can be brown, black, and sometimes even blue.
Now let's look at these types in a little more detail. To make the information clear, I will show you these in two tables.
Types of Vascular Birthmarks
These are the types of birthmarks that are red and have blood vessels.
| Type of Mark | Appearance and things to know |
|---|---|
| Strawberry Hemangiomas | These are small, red, strawberry-like bumps that protrude from the skin. They are most common on the face, scalp, chest, and back. They appear within a few weeks of birth, grow rapidly, and then stay the same size for a while. But don't worry, most of these will fade away completely by the time your child is about 9 years old. The skin color where the mole was may change slightly. |
| Cavernous Hemangiomas | This is similar to the strawberry spot mentioned above, but it is located a little deeper into the skin. It can be reddish-blue in color and have a sponge-like appearance. Some of these will disappear on their own by the time the child is school-age. |
| Port-Wine Stain | These are flat, purplish-red spots that are located on the skin. They are most often seen on the face. They do not fade on their own, meaning they are there for life. Over time, these spots can become darker and thicker. If they appear on a part of the body that looks like the face, they can affect the self-confidence of some people. |
| Salmon Patches (Stork Bite / Angel Kiss) | About 30%-50% of newborn babies have these spots. These are pinkish spots. They are most commonly seen on the baby's forehead, eyelids, upper lip, between the eyebrows, and the back of the neck. There is nothing to worry about these spots. As the baby grows, these spots will fade on their own. |
Types of Pigmented Birthmarks Caused by Skin Pigment Cells
These are brown, black, or blue birthmarks that are caused by the cells that give skin its color.
| Type of Mark | Appearance and things to know |
|---|---|
| Mongolian Spots (Dermal Melanocytosis / Mongolian Spots) | These are blue-gray spots. Some parents are scared because they look like bruises. They are most often seen on the buttocks and lower back of babies. These are very common among babies in our country. These are also completely harmless and will fade away on their own with time. |
| Pigmented Nevi / Moles | These are what we commonly call "moles." They can be the same color as the skin or brown or black. They can be raised or flat. They can occur anywhere on the body, singly or in groups. |
| Congenital Nevi | This refers to moles that are present at birth. These are something to pay attention to. On average, about one in 100 people has a mole that is present at birth. These moles, especially those larger than 20 centimeters, have a very small risk of developing into skin cancer in the future. Therefore, if your child has a mole that was present at birth, it is very important to show it to a doctor and talk about it. |
| Café-au-lait Spots | The name means "coffee with milk." These are light brown, oval-shaped spots. Even if you have one spot, there is no problem. However, if you have several spots on your body that are larger than the size of a coin , it can sometimes be a symptom of another medical condition, such as `(Neurofibromatosis)`. Therefore, if you see several such spots, it is wise to see a doctor. |
Why do we get birthmarks?
There is no single cause for this, but there are several factors that are thought to contribute to the formation of birthmarks:
- Blood vessels in the skin do not develop properly while the baby is growing in the womb.
- The growth of melanocyte cells, which give skin color, in clusters in one place.
- Some birthmarks may be hereditary. That is, they are a genetic predisposition.
- Very rarely, birthmarks can also occur as a symptom of another underlying medical condition.
The important thing is that birthmarks are not caused by anything the mother did or didn't do during pregnancy. So don't feel guilty about it.
Whenever you need to see a doctor about a birthmark
While most birthmarks are harmless, there are some changes that we should be aware of. If you notice anything like this in your birthmark, be sure to see your doctor.
- Bleeding from the spot: If the spot bleeds even with a simple or minor scratch.
- Pain: If you feel pain in or around the spot.
- Itching: If there is persistent itching.
- Infection: If the spot is red, swollen, and pus is coming out.
- Increasing size: If the spot is getting bigger quickly.
- Change in shape or color: If the edges of the mole become irregular, the color changes, or if several colors appear on the same mole.
These symptoms can sometimes be early signs of skin cancer, so don't ignore them. Seeking medical advice early can prevent a bigger problem.
Can birthmarks be removed? What are the treatments?
Yes, birthmarks can be removed. If you are concerned about the location of your birthmark, you can talk to your doctor about having it removed. If your doctor thinks there is a risk of skin cancer, he or she may recommend removing it.
Very important: Never try to remove, cut, scratch, or apply any ointment to a birthmark at home on your own. Doing so can lead to serious infections and scarring.
There are several treatment methods that doctors use:
- Laser Treatment (Laser Removal): This method is especially effective for flat spots like ``Port-Wine Stain''.
- Surgical Removal: Moles that have emerged from the skin are cut out and removed.
- Cryotherapy: Destroying the mole using extreme cold.
- Cortisone Injections: These injections are used to shrink some types of Hemangiomas.
Your doctor will explain to you which treatment is best for your birthmark.
Can birthmarks be prevented?
The simple answer is, no. There is nothing we can do to prevent birthmarks. They are a natural occurrence.
However, we can minimize the complications (risk of cancer) that can arise from birthmarks, especially moles. The best thing to do is to think about skin protection .
- Protect yourself from the sun: Minimize exposure to strong sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Use a good sunscreen: When going out in the sun, be sure to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to your skin.
- Wear protective clothing: Wearing long-sleeved clothing and hats can reduce sun exposure to the skin.
These things can reduce the risk of your moles getting sunburned and changing.
Take-Home Message
- Birthmarks are very common, and the majority of them are completely harmless.
- There are two main types: vascular, which are red spots caused by blood vessels, and pigmented, which are brown/black spots caused by skin pigment.
- Some spots, such as `(Salmon Patches, Strawberry Hemangiomas)`, fade away on their own over time. Some spots, such as `(Port-Wine Stains)`, remain for life.
- Never try to remove a birthmark at home on your own for any reason.
- If your mole changes color, shape, or size, or if it itches, hurts, or bleeds , see your doctor immediately.
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