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Birthmarks are areas of discoloured skin that are on a baby's body at birth or that show up within a few months after delivery
they are very common and most children have them somewhere on their body, some are for life, while others fade away over time.
Most birthmarks fall into one of two categories: vascular or pigmented. Vascular birthmarks are caused by blood vessels that
have accumulated below the surface of the skin. They range in colour from pink to red, expanding on the depth of the blood
vessels. Pigmented birthmarks are usually brown, gray, or black and they are as a result of abnormal development of pigment
cells. Birthmarks come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colours, and they can show up anywhere on the body, many go away
on their own in the first few years of life. There are a few exceptions so it's important to have a medical professional take
a look at all of your child's birthmarks. Potential problems include:
- Port-wine stains near the eye and cheek are sometimes associated with vision problems like glaucoma, or with seizures
and developmental delay.
- Large haemangioma, depending on where they're located, can interfere with eating, seeing, or breathing. Haemangioma can
sometimes grow internally, threatening the health of an organ. Others can be cosmetically disfiguring.
- Birthmarks on the lower spine may extend beneath the skin and affect the nerves and blood flow to the spinal cord.
- Certain especially large moles that are present at birth have an increased risk of eventually becoming cancerous.
- Some prominent or disfiguring birthmarks can become psychologically damaging to a child over time.
Some birth marks can and in fact have to be removed, but if a birthmark isn't disfiguring or causing physical problems,
your toddler's doctor may suggest that it's best to leave it alone. If advise to by your doctor then there are several treatment
options they are surgery, laser therapy, and topical, oral, or injected steroids, be aware that many of these treatments can
cause permanent scaring.
For information and support try the birth mark support group www.birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk
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Disclaimer
All content within Childhood illnesses is provided for general information only, and should not be
treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Tiny Little monster
is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this site. Tiny Little Monster or Lavenmedia
are not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service
mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your or your childs
health.
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