About this topic
A port-wine stain is a kind of birthmark. A birthmark is a colored mark on the skin. A baby may have a port-wine stain from birth. It is a reddish-purple birthmark caused by swollen blood vessels. These can happen on the face, neck, or body. They most often respond well to laser treatment, especially when it is done at an early age and when it is on the face. Sometimes, these birthmarks are a sign of another health problem. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take any drugs that the doctor tells you to take.
- If you had laser treatment or surgery, follow your doctors orders on what to do at home.
- Learn how to use special makeup to cover up your birthmark.
- If you bump or scrape the birthmark, stop the bleeding, clean it, and cover it with a bandage.
- Talk with a counselor or join a support group if you or your child is having problems dealing with how the birthmark looks.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on you progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may send you to a skin expert. This is a dermatologist. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activity should not be limited. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
If the port-wine stain is in a difficult spot such as the eyelid, problems with eyesight, such as glaucoma, may happen. Rarely, a port-wine stain is a sign of a more serious problem that may need treatment. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Image problem
- Deformity
- Bleeding
- Interferes with eyesight or eating
- Glaucoma
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is nothing that can be done to prevent a port-wine stain. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden change in the size or look of the birthmark
- Birthmark keeps bleeding
- Birthmark causes problems with seeing, eating, or going to the bathroom
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child's skin.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has a change in the size or look of the birthmark or it starts bleeding.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/birthmarks.html ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/port_wine_stains.html ‚
National Health Service ‚
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. ‚