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WHAT ARE BIRTHMARKS?

 

Birthmarks are non-malignant lesions of the skin, sometimes present at birth, sometimes appearing a few weeks or months later. They either contain pigment cells or blood vessels. Some disappear while others remain for life.

• Birthmarks can develop from an overgrowth of one or more of the components that make up skin, such as blood vessels, lymph vessels or pigment cells.
• There are two types of birthmarks: pigmented marks, which are usually brown in colour and are caused by a localized abnormality of pigment in the skin; and vascular birthmarks, which are red or even bluish, and are due to problems with the skin's blood vessels.
• While certain types of birthmarks may run in families, there is no proven genetic or chromosomal link.

Vascular birthmarks, such as this port-wine stain, are due to an overgrowth of blood vessels. Laser treatment is available if the lesion is disfiguring

  

TYPES OF BIRTHMARK

                                          

Vascular birthmarks

Blood vessels in the skin may overgrow to produce a red, purple or bluish lesion. The birthmark may either be flat or raised.

 

Strawberry naevi marks come in all shapes and sizes and mainly appear on the head and neck. They can grow for up to 18 months and then reduce in size between two and three years. Most are gone by the age of five. Plastic surgery may be needed if they remain after this time or if they interfere with vision.

 

Stork bites take the form of red or purple V-shaped mottled marks on the back of the head or neck. Similar marks on the forehead or eyelids are called angel kisses. They often fade by the time the baby is six months old.

 

The port-wine stain affects about three in every 1000 births. It is so called because it looks as if a glass of port has spilt over the skin, leaving a dark red/purple patch. They can be found anywhere on the body and are not raised. They do not fade, growing darker and sometimes larger over the years.

  

Pigmented birthmarks

Pigmented birthmarks are caused by Abnormalities of skin cells that produce melanin. This substance normally gives skin its colour.

  

• The Mongolian blue spot is a pale blue/black patch often found over a baby's lower back, but it sometimes extends to the buttocks; they can also appear on the shoulders. They commonly affect the pigmented skin of black and Asian babies, but they are completely harmless, and almost always fade by adulthood. 
• Cafe-au-Iait spots are brown, oval patches seen anywhere on the body. These never fade, and may multiply as the child gets older. 
• Moles can be flat, raised or hairy, they can be found anywhere on the body and vary in size. Moles can turn malignant at any time in life, but this is very rare during childhood. 

TREATMENT

 

The majority of birthmarks are small and insignificant, and do not need to be removed; some will disappear. However, a birthmark may need to be removed if it is very large, if it interferes with vision, breathing or swallowing, or is in a place where it can be infected or bleed easily

  

Steroid treatment: if the haemangioma (a swelling or discolouration caused by the overgrowth of blood vessels - in birthmarks in, or just below, the skin) is growing very quickly, or is too deep for laser treatment, steroids can be injected into the birthmark and taken by mouth for several weeks.

 

Surgery: this may be the only option if the haemangioma is too deep for laser treatment, and involves cutting away the affected tissue.

 

Removing birthmarks: pulsed ­dye laser surgery is useful for treating port-wine stains. It is best used in early stages, and younger children respond better to treatment. Short bursts of light burn and seal the blood vessels that cause the birthmark, leaving a small scar

Deep birthmarks cannot be treated with laser surgery, but over 80 per cent of young port wine stain sufferers can benefit. However, laser surgery must be performed over several weeks, and is not painless. Often, the birthmark leaves a web of spider veins and excessive tissue-paper like skin. Laser therapy can be used to treat this effectively

 

Complications

 

Most birthmarks are completely harmless. However, the location of some haemangiomas may cause problems that need treating.

 

Birthmarks may be a problem if they lie close to an eye or other part of the body and stop it functioning properly.

 

·        A lot of large cafe-au-Iait spots may indicate the presence of a rare inherited condition, so it may be wise to seek reassurance from a doctor. 

·        Port-wine stains may break down, bleed or become infected. Large types are also connected with various syndromes but these are very rare. 

·        Some birthmarks grow so aggressively that they may break down or start growing into and over the lips or eyes. 

•   A cluster of several birthmarks may be linked with similar growths in internal organs. These can be very dangerous and     should  be treated promptly. 
•   The psychological upset caused by a large birthmark may be considerable; early treatment can help to minimize this. 

What you can do

 

You can play an important role in assuring that the correct diagnosis is made, which will then lead to the correct treatment plan.

Strawberry birthmarks are usually noticed sometime after birth, whereas port-wine stains are always present at birth. Strawberry marks grow and then shrink, while port-wine stains gradually get bigger. Ask yourself:

 

• When did you first notice the lesion.
• Has it growth?
• Is it shrinking? 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.