Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Birthmarks


About this topic


A birthmark is a colored mark on the skin. Sometimes, a baby is born with it. Other times, it appears shortly after birth. Birthmarks are divided into 2 groups. ‚  
  • Pigmented birthmarks ¢ ˆ ’ May not need any kind of treatment
    • Cafe-au-lait spots look like a coffee colored spot on the skin. They may be a sign of another health problem if your child has more than 6 of them.
    • Moles are flat or raised and may be a black or brown color. These are very common. Moles may turn into melanoma or skin cancer over time.
    • Mongolian spots are bluish-gray marks that looks like a bruise. They are often found on darker skinned people. These birthmarks are most often seen on the lower back or buttocks. They may happen other places as well. Mongolian spots may go away by the time a child is about 4 years old.
  • Vascular birthmarks ¢ ˆ ’ May or may not need treatment
    • Salmon patch or stork marks are a very common kind of birthmark. They are pink or red flat patches on a babys eyelid, neck, or forehead. Often these will fade over time. Until they fade, the mark will become darker when your child cries.
    • Infantile hemangiomas are a raised cluster of blood vessels. They are reddish, bluish, or purple in color. For the first 6 to 18 months, these birthmarks tend to get bigger. Then, they start to get smaller and are often gone by age 9. These may go deep into the skin.
    • Port-wine stains are reddish-purple birthmarks. They can be on the face or body. Sometimes, these birthmarks are a sign of some other health problem.

What are the causes?


  • It is not known why birthmarks happen. Birthmarks are not often inherited or passed down in families.
  • Pigmented birthmarks are caused by abnormal clusters of colored skin cells.
  • Vascular birthmarks are caused by abnormal blood vessels on or under the skin.

What can make this more likely to happen?


Certain groups of people are more likely to have certain birthmarks. For example, cafe-au-lait spots are more common in African-Americans. Females and babies who are born early are more likely to develop hemangiomas. Mongolian spots are more common in Asians, Africans, Native Americans, East Indians, and Hispanics. Certain syndromes or problems with your genes may make you more likely to have a birthmark as well. ‚  

What are the main signs?


Each type of birthmark has its own look: ‚  
  • Different colored skin markings: Brown, black, tan, red, pink, purple, or blue
  • May be flat or raised
  • May be smooth or bumpy
  • May contain hair
  • May be small or large

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will do an exam. The doctor will check your skin with care and look at the size, color, and shape of the birthmark. You may need to have tests if the doctor wants to rule out a more serious problem. The doctor may order: ‚  
  • Skin biopsy
  • X-rays
  • CT or MRI scan
  • A test to check the pressure in your eye

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


Many birthmarks do not need any treatment. Others may need: ‚  
  • Laser therapy ¢ ˆ ’ Destroys the blood vessels but not the skin
  • Surgery
  • Freezing
  • Radiation
  • Steroid injections
  • Drugs to:
    • Lessen swelling
    • Affect the immune system

Your doctor may also suggest ways to cope with your birthmark. These may include: ‚  
  • Tattooing
  • Skin cover or make-up
  • Counseling to deal with image problems

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with swelling
  • Help with the immune system

What problems could happen?


  • Image problem
  • Deformity
  • Bleeding or open sores
  • Birthmark can grow and get in the way of being able to see, eat, or go to the bathroom
  • Sudden and fast growth
  • Some birthmarks can lead to other problems like cancer or glaucoma

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


There is nothing that can be done to prevent this problem. ‚  

Where can I learn more?


KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/birthmarks.html ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Birthmarks/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚  
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer