Doctors don't know what causes most birthmarks. They can't be prevented and they're not caused by anything done or not done during pregnancy. Most aren't related to trauma to the skin during childbirth. Some kinds may run in families, but a genetic cause hasn't been found. The most common vascular blood vessel birthmarks are macular stains, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains:.
Macular stains. Also called salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites, these faint red marks are the most common type of vascular birthmark. Macular MA-kyuh-ler stains typically are on the forehead or eyelids; the back of the neck; or on the nose, upper lip, or back of the head.
They may be more noticeable when the baby cries. Most often they fade on their own by the time a child is 1 to 2 years old, although some last into adulthood. Hemangiomas are superficial when they're on the surface of the skin "strawberry marks" , deep when found below the skin's surface, and compound when they affect both layers.
A hemangioma hee-man-jee-OH-muh can be slightly raised and bright red, and usually won't be visible until a few days or weeks after a baby is born. Deep hemangiomas might look bluish because they involve blood vessels in deeper layers of the skin. Hemangiomas grow quickly during the first 6 months or so of life, then usually shrink and disappear by the time a child is 5 to 10 years old.
Some, particularly larger ones, may leave abnormal skin as this happens. Surgery can fix this. Others may leave red pigmented skin, which can be helped with special laser treatment. Although they can be anywhere on the body, most hemangiomas are on the head or neck. They can cause problems if they interfere with sight, feeding, breathing, or other body functions.
Port-wine stains. These discolorations look like wine was spilled on an area of the body, most often on the face, neck, arms, or legs. Port-wine stains can be any size, but grow only as the child grows. They tend to darken over time, and can thicken and feel like pebbles in middle adulthood unless treated. They never go away on their own.
Doctors will watch ones near the eye to make sure they don't cause problems. When port-wine stains involve certain parts of the face, other tests such as an MRI might be needed. These very common spots are the color of coffee with milk, which explains the name. They can be anywhere on the body and sometimes increase in number as a child gets older.
For example, some babies born with port-wine stains have a rare condition called Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Another rare condition, Sturge-Weber syndrome , also appears as port-wine birthmarks and is caused by a different gene mutation. Birthmarks refer to skin spots that are apparent at birth or shortly afterward.
These birthmarks occur when you have more pigment in one part of your skin than in other parts. Types of pigmented birthmarks include:. Moles range in color from pink to light brown or black. They vary in size and may be flat or raised. Moles can occur anywhere on your face or body. Some moles fade away but others last for life. A change in a mole may sometimes be linked to skin cancer. This type of birthmark may occur at any time from birth through early childhood.
They may become larger in size but often fade. If your child has several, they may also have a rare medical condition, called neurofibromatosis. These flat, bluish-gray spots mostly occur in people with naturally dark skin. Mongolian spots typically occur on the lower back and buttocks. They usually fade away completely by age 4. Sometimes a bunch of extra blood vessels will clump together and you can see this cluster in your skin. This is called a vascular birthmark.
Vascular birthmarks occur in around 40 percent of newborns. These red or pink patches often occur in the area between eyes, on eyelids, or on the back of the neck. These birthmarks may appear pink, blue, or bright red in color. Hemangiomas may start out small in size and flat in shape. Many hemangiomas fade away completely by the time a child reaches adolescence.
They sometimes leave a pale mark. These marks may be referred to as cherry or strawberry hemangiomas. Children with multiple hemangiomas on their skin should be checked for internal hemangiomas. Port-wine stains are caused by abnormal formation of small blood vessels under the skin. They can occur anywhere on the body but are often found on the face and neck. Port-wine stains may start out as pink or red and turn dark red or purple. The skin may also become very dry, thick, or pebbled in texture.
Port-wine stains that occur on eyelids may require medical treatment or monitoring. Rarely, these types of birthmarks may be associated with genetic conditions. Some birthmarks may cause unease because of their appearance. Other types of birthmarks, such as hemangiomas or moles, may lead to an increased risk for certain medical conditions, such as skin cancer.
These birthmarks should be monitored by a dermatologist and may also require removal. You can connect to a dermatologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. Laser therapy can remove or significantly lighten port-wine stains, making them less visible.
This type of treatment is performed by a dermatologist or surgeon. It uses highly concentrated pulsing beams of light that can be modulated for strength. Laser treatments can be uncomfortable and may require a local anesthetic. They often produce permanent results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
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