All You Need to Know About Birthmarks in Children: Salient Questions Answered

When you meet your newborn baby for the first time, you may notice some marks on their face, head, or body. After birth, your newborn may have blotchy skin, which soon disappears, but the remaining marks could be known as birthmarks.

Although not all birthmarks are permanent, and many fade away in time, some birthmarks are permanent and some may require medical attention. 

This new post exposes all you need to know about birthmarks in your child… 

What are birthmarks?

Birthmarks are known to be areas of discolored and raised skin that are visible when your baby is born or within a few weeks of birth. They are composed of pigment cells or blood vessels. 

Most birthmarks are harmless, but there are a few that may require treatment based on where they're located and whether they’re growing. It’s a good idea to have your child’s pediatrician check out your baby’s birthmark just in case.

What are the types of birthmarks?

There are two fundamental types of birthmarks — vascular birthmarks and pigmented birthmarks:

Vascular birthmarks: These kinds of birthmarks are made of blood vessels that didn’t form as expected during fetal development. It is also referred to as a red birthmark. Color from the birthmark comes from blood vessels in the skin and may be present at birth or develop shortly after birth. The different types include Strawberry hemangiomas, Cavernous hemangiomas, Port-wine stain birthmarks, and Salmon patches. 

Pigmented birthmarks: These birthmarks are made up of a cluster of melanocyte cells (the cells that give the skin color). They have a color that differs from the color of the rest of the skin. Pigmented birthmarks might vary from brown or black to bluish. Examples include Dermal melanocytosis, Pigmented nevi, Congenital nevi, and Café-au-lait spots.

Does every child have a birthmark?

Birthmarks are very common but not every child has one. About 10% of all babies born worldwide are estimated to have a specific birthmark called a hemangioma.

What do birthmarks look like?

Birthmarks look different for each child and vary in size, shape, and color. Features of a birthmark include:

• A flat or raised mark on your child’s skin.

• The mark is about the size of a pinhead to the size of your fist.

• The color of the mark is quite different from the skin around it (pink, red, purple, tan, brown or black).

Pigmented birthmarks might increase in size as your child ages and change colors, especially after sun exposure and during times of hormone changes. They can turn itchy and might occasionally bleed when injured.

What causes birthmarks?

The main cause of why birthmarks develop in children is unknown. In some cases, birthmarks form because:

• Blood vessels do not form as expected during fetal development (vascular birthmarks).

• Melanocyte cells (the cells that give the skin color) grow in clusters (pigmented birthmarks).

• A type of birthmark that runs in your biological family history (genetic predisposition).

• An underlying medical condition that causes birthmark development (nevus sebaceous syndrome, skin cancer, or neurofibromatosis).

What are the complications of birthmarks?

Complications of pigmented birthmarks can include psychological effects that occur when the birthmark is located in a prominent area of your child’s body, like on the face. This can affect your child’s self-esteem and how he/she feels about their appearance.

There is also an increased risk of skin cancer when there is a pigmented birthmark. Any changes that occur in the color, size, or texture of a birthmark could be checked by a healthcare provider. Seek medical advice right away if your child has any pain, bleeding, itching, or swelling of a birthmark.

How do you get rid of a birthmark?

If you don’t like how a birthmark looks on the skin of your child, you can talk to a healthcare provider about the possibility of removing it. Do not try to remove a birthmark at home. 

A healthcare provider will recommend the removal of certain birthmarks if your child is at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Treatment to remove a birthmark may include: 

• Cryotherapy.

• Laser removal.

• Surgical removal.

• Injections of cortisone.

A healthcare provider can review the birthmark and let you know what the best treatment options would be. Childhood birthmarks are usually treated after a child attains age six. They might be treated earlier if it affects the function of your child’s organs, like their vision or breathing.

Are there side effects of the treatment?

Your child may be at risk of scarring if a birthmark is surgically removed. They could also be at risk of developing an infection after a removal procedure. To avoid these risks, talk to the surgeon or healthcare provider about how you can take care of the skin of your child as it heals after treatment.

Can birthmarks be prevented?

There’s no way to prevent the development of birthmarks in your child but you can reduce the risk of birthmarks changing color or developing into skin cancer from sunlight exposure by protecting your child’s skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. 

Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing when being outside is advisable. It is also recommended to avoid exposure to the sun during the daytime when the sun is at its brightest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

When should you seek medical care?

Seek medical advice if there are changes to existing birthmarks or if new marks are developed on your child’s skin. 

Some noticeable changes to look out for include:

• Bleeding.

• Pain.

• Itchiness.

• Infection.

• Increase in size.

• Irregular appearance

A Note from Dr. Favvy

Birthmarks are harmless markings on the skin. They’re not caused by something you did or didn’t do during pregnancy as a mother. Rather, they’re natural additions to your child’s appearance and may or may not be noticeable. 

Some birthmarks change over time and even fade away within a few years, while others can develop into skin cancer, in rare cases but if you ever notice changes to your child’s birthmarks, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

If you’re ever worried about a certain birthmark — its size or shape, or its unusual appearance — seek medical advice early. Above all, remember that, just like freckles, hair color, and the shape of your little child’s nose, birthmarks are just another way in which your little child is unique.

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Disclaimer

The information on this blog is just for educational purposes only.

It should not be used as a replacement for the medical care and advise of your child’s pediatrician.

Always consult your pharmacist before giving your child any drug.