|
|
|
any babies – about ten percent – when they are born, have what are commonly called “birthmarks. These benign lesions are usually made up of blood vessels that collect in certain parts of the skin. They can be raised or flat; they can be pink or red or bluish. No one knows the exact cause of why they appear, nor can anyone predict where they will appear. We do know that they are not inherited.
One of the most common vascular birthmarks is called the “port-wine stain,” technically known as “nevus flammeus.” This is a flat, reddish-purple mark that appears most often on the back of the neck and on the face. Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the Soviet Union, has a very large, identifiable port-wine stain over his scalp. When they are small, and when they are located over the forehead or eyelids, they are sometimes called “angel’s kisses.” When they are located over the back of the neck – about 25 percent of people have this type of birthmark – they are often called “stork bites.” These birthmarks are harmless and require no treatment. The “angel’s kisses” usually disappear by the age of two or three; the “stork bites” last into adulthood and often never fade away. If the “port-wine stains” are large, early laser therapy intervention is recommended.
Hemangiomas, the most common tumors of infancy, are familiar vascular birthmarks. About 30 percent of all hemangiomas are visible at birth; the remaining 70 percent become visible within the first few weeks of life. No one knows why hemangiomas occur and they are not hereditary.
Hemangiomas are usually divided into two types: the strawberry hemangioma – slightly raised and bright red because the blood vessels are very close to the skin surface; and the cavernous hemangioma – bluish because the abnormal blood vessels are deeper under the skin. They are more common in female and in premature babies. They can vary in size from small and innocuous to large and deforming, but are usually less than 3 inches in diameter. More than 80 percent occur in the head and neck region. They can grow for up to 2 years and then begin to turn white and slowly involute.
If your baby has a birthmark, it’s important to have a dermatologist evaluate it. There are several treatments available for these cosmetic blights the latest being the new variety of lasers. If the lesions are large, corrective surgery is one of the options.
|
For further information about vascular birthmarks, log on to: www.aad.org or phone: 1-888-462-DERM x22 |
 |  |  |
|
|
|