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Birthmarks

Topic Overview

What are birthmarks?

A birthmark is a colored mark on or under a newborn baby’s skin. Some birthmarks show up soon after a baby is born. Most birthmarks are obvious at birth. Some kinds of birthmarks fade or go away as a child gets older. Others stay the same or get bigger, darker, or thicker.

There are many kinds of birthmarks. They can be any size or shape and can be different colors, such as blue or blue-gray, brown, tan, black, pink, white, red, or purple. Some birthmarks are smooth, and some are raised or lumpy.

Nearly all birthmarks are harmless and painless. But it’s important to have a doctor check all birthmarks, just to be sure they are okay.

What causes birthmarks?

Some birthmarks are from extra color (pigment) in the skin. Other birthmarks are blood vessels that are bunched together or don't grow normally.

It's not clear why some children have birthmarks and others don't.

What kinds of birthmarks are there?

  • Salmon patches (also called stork bites, angel kisses, and macular stains). Salmon patches are thin, flat, light pink or red birthmarks. They tend to be on the back of the neck, the upper eyelids, upper lip, or between the eyebrows.
  • Congenital moles (nevi). Congenital moles can grow anywhere on the body. They vary in size and shape. Most are brown.
  • Café-au-lait spots. Most café-au-lait spots are smooth, oval birthmarks. They range in color from light brown to chocolate brown and usually are found on the torso, buttocks, and legs.
  • Mongolian spots. Mongolian spots are smooth, blue or blue-gray birthmarks. They are often uneven in shape and are on the lower back and buttocks.
  • Hemangiomas. Hemangiomas are raised birthmarks. They are blue, red, or purple. They are clumps of blood vessels that didn't grow normally. Hemangiomas grow in many shapes and sizes. They may grow only on the skin, or they may extend deeper into the body.
  • Port-wine stains. Port-wine stains are birthmarks that are pink-red at birth and then become a darker red-purple. Port-wine stains are blood vessels that didn't grow normally. They can be small, or they can cover a large area of the body.

Do birthmarks need to be treated?

Most birthmarks are harmless and need no treatment. Some will even fade or disappear over time. But in rare cases, birthmarks need treatment because they are growing quickly, growing on an internal organ, or causing a medical problem (such as a problem with sight, breathing, hearing, speech, or movement).

There are several ways to fade, shrink, or remove birthmarks. These include:

  • Medicines, such as propranolol or corticosteroids.
  • Laser therapy.
  • Surgery.

Your options will depend on the type of birthmark, where it is, and what problems it's causing. Treating a birthmark can be a big decision. The treatments may not work, and they can be painful and cause side effects.

If your child’s birthmark bothers or worries you, try not to let your child know how you feel. Ask others not to make a big deal out of it. If a birthmark upsets your child, it may help to have your child talk with a trusted doctor. If your child is still upset, talking to a counselor or support group may be a good idea to help him or her feel better.

Is it important to have birthmarks checked?

If you see a birthmark on your baby, make sure that a doctor has seen it. Although most birthmarks are harmless, some aren't.

If a birthmark grows, bleeds, hurts, or gets infected, see a doctor to have it checked.

Other Places To Get Help

Organizations

HealthyChildren.org
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: (847) 434-4000
Web Address: www.healthychildren.org
 

This American Academy of Pediatrics website has information for parents about childhood issues, from before the child is born to young adulthood. You'll find information on child growth and development, immunizations, safety, health issues, behavior, and much more.

American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg, IL  60168
Phone: 1-866-503-SKIN (1-866-503-7546) toll-free
(847) 240-1280
Fax: (847) 240-1859
Web Address: www.aad.org
 

The American Academy of Dermatology provides information about the care of skin, hair, and nails. You can locate a dermatologist in your area by using their "Find a Dermatologist" tool at www.aad.org/find-a-derm.

KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and Teens
10140 Centurion Parkway North
Jacksonville, FL  32256
Phone: (904) 697-4100
Fax: (904) 697-4220
Web Address: www.kidshealth.org
 

This website is sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. It has a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies and diseases to normal growth and development (birth to adolescence). This website offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents, each providing age-appropriate information that the child or parent can understand. You can sign up to get weekly emails about your area of interest.

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation
P.O. Box 106
Latham, NY  12110
Phone: 1-877-VBF-4646 (1-877-823-4646) toll-free
Web Address: www.birthmark.org
 

The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) offers many resources to help you learn more about birthmarks. You'll find information about treatment options, support groups, research, and more. You can read personal stories from people who have a birthmark, see photos, and connect with other families.

References

Other Works Consulted

  • Chang MW, Orlow SJ (2008). Neonates and infants section of Neonatal, pediatric, and adolescent dermatology. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 1, pp. 935–941. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Grichnik JM, et al. (2008). Congenital nevomelanocytic nevi section of Benign neoplasias and hyperplasias of melanocytes. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1099–1103. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Horii KA, Sharma V (2010). Birthmarks section of Pediatric Dermatology. In JC Hall, ed., Sauer’s Manual of Skin Diseases, 10th ed., pp. 425–427. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  • Huikeshoven M, et al. (2007). Redarkening of port-wine stains 10 years after pulsed-dye-laser treatment. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(12): 1235–1240.
  • Miller JH (2010). Hemangiomas. In MG Lebwohl et al., eds., Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies, 3rd ed., pp. 289–291. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
  • Miller T, Frieden IJ (2008). Vascular tumors. In K Wolff et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 7th ed., vol,. 1, pp. 1164–1172. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Morelli JG (2007). Diseases of the neonate. In RM Kliegman et al., eds., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed., pp. 2661–2664. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
  • Swee TT, et al. (2010). Low-dose propranolol for infantile haemangioma. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Published online July 9, 2010 (doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2010.06.010).

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Revised March 21, 2011

Last Revised: March 21, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology

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