How Can Birth Marks Get Dark Again

​​​By: Nick Nguyen, MD, FAAP & Sheilagh M. Maguiness, MD, FAAD, FAAP

Gazing at your new baby, taking in every little particular, is i of the many joys of parenthood. Among many unique features you might notice is a birthmark, a dissimilar-looking spot on the peel that a baby is born with or develops before long after nascency.

In that location are ii main types of birthmarks: pigmented, spots of skin that comprise actress pigment (color); and vascular, which contain extra claret vessels that didn't fully class. Both types are usually harmless, and some become away on their own. But some need to exist watched to make sure they don't cause problems. Be sure to talk with your pediatrician about whatsoever birthmarks or rashes you discover on your baby.

Vascular Birthmarks—Pinkish, Ruby-red & Blueish

Pink, ruby-red, and blue birthmarks oft are fabricated up of extra blood vessels. The extra blood tin make some vascular birthmarks feel warm to touch. Vascular birthmarks may expect and conduct differently depending on the type of blood vessels in them. The most mutual blood vessel birthmarks include:

Nevus Simplex: "salmon patch," "affections osculation" & "stork bite" birthmarks

Nevus simplex are flat pink or cherry birthmarks that upwardly to lxxx% of babies are born with. They are collections of pocket-size, red blood vessels chosen capillaries. Often, these marks are located on the eyelids, forehead, dorsum of neck, superlative of caput, under the nose, and lower back. Sometimes, they are chosen "salmon patch" marks, "stork bites" (when located on back of the cervix) and "angel kisses" (when they're betwixt the eyebrows).

Nevus simplex birthmarks usually will go away on their own by the time your baby is a toddler. Do not be alarmed if the birthmark gets darker when your babe becomes more emotional or active—this is normal.

Most nevus simples are totally harmless and do not need handling. But be sure to talk with your pediatrician if they are large or located in unexpected areas.

Port Wine Stains

Port vino stains are fairly mutual, seen in most 3 in i,000 children. They are similar to nevus simplex: flat, pinkish or ruby birthmarks made up of actress capillaries. They besides are visible at birth. But these birthmarks are unremarkably larger than nevus simplex and may affect more areas of the confront and torso. Dissimilar another birthmarks, port wine stains practice not get away. They abound equally your child grows, but slowly. Over time, they may go darker and thicker.

Port wine stains aren't usually linked to whatever health problems. If the birthmark affects a certain part of the face, like the eyelid and brow, though, it may exist related to a condition called Sturge-Weber syndrome. This condition is rare, but your physician may recommend more evaluation or testing if your baby is at take chances.

Some children and teens are not bothered by their port-wine stain, while others may feel self-conscious nearly them. Laser treatment may exist able to lighten the birthmark some and help foreclose concealment and thickening. Just information technology will not "erase" the birthmark in about cases.

Infantile Hemangiomas

These benign growths, which commonly announced in the first few weeks of life, are made of extra blood vessels in the skin. Infantile hemangiomas are fairly common--found in upwardly to 5% of infants. They usually abound rapidly, and then gradually shrink and fade. If they class near the top of the pare, they are ruby-red (and sometimes called "strawberry marks"). Deeper in the pare, they may look blue or royal, like bruises.

Infantile hemangiomas grow most quickly in the outset 5-7 weeks of life, so it is important to talk to your pediatrician about them early. Some hemangiomas may exist associated with certain health issues and require boosted testing and/or treatment. Condom treatments are bachelor today for problem hemangiomas. Merely these treatments commonly piece of work best when started soon after these birthmarks form--generally past around one calendar month historic period. Talk with your pediatrician if you lot think your baby may have an infantile hemangioma.

Congenital Hemangiomas

Congenital hemangiomas are present at birth. Sometimes, they can be seen during prenatal ultrasound exams. They are different from infantile hemangiomas and much rarer. This type of hemangioma does non abound after the infant is born. Built hemangioma often look like a large round or oval bump or mass. They tend to be purple to blue, simply may also accept tiny red blood vessels on the surface and a white ring effectually the base.

Some of these birthmarks begin to disappear chop-chop (a type called rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma). Another type, non-involuting congenital hemangioma, does not become away at all. In virtually cases, congenital hemangiomas are not dangerous and exercise not need treatment. If the birthmark does not go abroad, it can be removed with surgery or other treatments when a child is older.

Venous Malformation

Venous malformations are tangles of veins in the skin that did not form properly during evolution. The veins give these birthmarks a blue or regal colour. They are present at nascence but may not become obvious until the teenage years. The veins can become larger with activity or certain positions, and they may become painful. Venous malformations are rare, affecting around two in 10,000 children.

These birthmarks may crusade no problems at all. But treatment may be needed if the birthmark is painful or affects your child'due south activities. Sometimes, pocket-size clots called phleboliths form in the veins. In well-nigh cases, these clots are not harmful but tin be difficult and cause pain. Compression garments, medications, surgery or procedures may exist among treatment options.

Most venous malformations are located only in the pare, but sometimes they tin can too be constitute in muscles, bones, or organs. Your doc may recommend a scan to go more than information about your kid'due south birthmark.

Blood Vessel Birthmarks
	What does it expect like?	Does it need to be treated?
Nevus Simplex	Flat, pink or cherry-red birthmarks present at birth. Sometimes called "salmon patch" marks. Based on location, also called "stork bite" (on dorsum of neck) and "angel kiss" (between the eyes).	Well-nigh practice non need treatment and go away on their ain by the toddler years. Talk with your pediatrician if the birthmark is large or in an unusual area.
Port-Wine Stain	Flat, pink or red birthmarks that may wait like maroon liquid splashed on skin. Like, but usually larger than, nevus simplex. May affect more than areas on the face and body.	Commonly no related wellness issues. If they are on certain parts of head and confront, tests may be needed for rare related health condition. May become darker and thicker over time; laser handling may assistance lighten them some.
Infantile Hemangioma	Bumpy cerise or apartment bluish marks ordinarily actualization in get-go few weeks of life. Near the pinnacle of the peel, they're red ("strawberry marks"). Deeper in the skin, they look blue or purple, similar bruises.	Usually don't cause issues, but some need treatment to avert permanent changes or health issues. After a period of fast growth, ordinarily start to shrink and fade at well-nigh age i.
Congenital Hemangioma	Usually large round or oval bumps that are fully formed at nascence. Regal or blue in color, some with tiny scarlet blood vessels on surface & white ring effectually base.	Usually require no treatment. I type (rapidly involuting) starts to disappear quickly. Others (non-involuting) don't go away. Can be removed later with surgery and other treatments.
Venous Malformation	Blueish or purplish tangles of veins in the skin that did non form properly during evolution. Present at birth but may not become obvious until teen years.	Handling may non exist demand unless the birthmark becomes painful or affects your child's activities. Sometimes, small clots course in the veins. In most cases, the clots are not harmful.

Pigmented Baby Birthmarks—Brown & Grey

Dark-brown and grey birthmarks may be made of extra melanocytes—the cells that produce paint (color) in the skin. Pigmented birthmarks tin can look and bear differently from each other. Some are harmless, but others can come with wellness problems for your baby.

Built Melanocytic Nevi (Moles)

Congenital melanocytic nevi are normally called moles. They can be present at nascency or appear during the first year of life. These birthmarks are common, found in one-3% of newborns. Congenital nevi can wait very unlike from each other. Most are chocolate-brown, simply they may as well accept shades of pinkish, ruddy, or black. Sometimes they have bumps or hair, and they may become rough or raised. Most congenital melanocytic nevi are harmless and ordinarily do not require treatment or removal. Many dermatologists and pediatric dermatologist simply monitor them at well-kid visits. They can besides tell you what changes you lot should spotter for in your kid's birthmark.

A nevi normally grows larger as your child grows, but non chop-chop. They are classified based on their size: small, medium and large/giant nevi. Large and giant nevi may have a higher adventure for a type of skin cancer, melanoma, compared to pocket-sized congenital nevi or other moles that announced afterwards in life. Information technology's important for all children, but specially those with this blazon of birthmark, to wear lord's day protection outdoors.

A child with more than one congenital melanocytic nevus always needs to be evaluated past his or her pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist. Having more than one congenital nevus at nascency may exist related to problems with the brain and spinal string. Your doc may recommend a browse of these areas in this case, but this is extremely rare. Learn more and watch a video on identifying moles from The Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

Café-au-lait

Café-au-lait means "java with milk," which describes the calorie-free chocolate-brown color of these common birthmarks. As many as 20-30% of people have one. The marks are apartment and usually circular or oval shaped. Most are smaller than a kid's palm and have smooth borders. They are visible at birth or develop very early in life.

Most café-au-lait spots are harmless. They are unlikely to turn into peel cancer, but may become darker with more lord's day exposure. A large café au lait spot with jagged borders may be linked with a rare genetic condition called McCune-Albright syndrome. Multiple café-au-lait spots tin can be a sign of other weather, including one called neurofibromatosis. If your child has a large café-au-lait spot, more than than 5 spots, or spots in the armpits/groin, talk with your pediatrician most them.

Dermal Melanocytosis

These are the most common birthmarks in babies with highly pigmented pare. They are seen in 85% of Asians, 96% of blacks & 46% of Hispanic babies at birth. They are ordinarily located on the lower dorsum and bottom, but some babies may have spots on different areas of the body. These birthmarks may be a mix of colors including brownish, grayness, blue and blackness. Their unique color comes from having paint in dissimilar layers of the peel.

Most dermal melanocytosis birthmarks, which used to be called Mongolian spots, gradually fade. Many disappear by the toddler years. The bulk of them are harmless and practice not need handling. In rare cases, these birthmarks may exist associated with genetic conditions. If your baby has other health problems and several spots, please talk with your pediatrician.

Pigmentary Mosaicism

Mosaicism is a give-and-take that means ii sets of Dna, or genes, are present in the same person. In pigmentary mosaicism, different genes might touch the color of the pare. These changes can exist subtle or very large. Pigmentary mosaicism birthmarks have unique patterns including lines and swirls. With sunday exposure, areas can become lighter or darker.

Even though the genetic change involved with pigmentary mosaicism is present at birth, the affected skin may not turn color until later in life. Sometimes sun exposure can cause this to happen. These changes can requite the illusion that the birthmark is "spreading." In nearly children, pigmentary mosaicism is harmless. A small number of may take problems with the bones, eyes or brain specially if their birthmark covers a large area of their trunk, then your pediatrician may recommend some tests.

Pigmented Baby Birthmarks
	What does it look like?	Does it need to exist treated?
Built Melanocytic Nevi	Various sized moles present at birth or appearing during kickoff twelvemonth of life. Most are brown but may also have shades of pink, cerise, or black. Some may have a lot of hair. Can become rough, bumpy and raised.	Most are harmless, but it is important to watch for changes in the birthmark. Sunday protection is of import to avoid unhealthy changes. Larger nevi present at nascence, and multiple moles that appear, should be checked for related wellness conditions.
Café-au-lait	Café-au-lait ("coffee with milk") describes the light brown color of these spots. Flat and usually circular or oval shaped. About are smaller than a child's palm. Present at birth or early on in life.	Most are harmless and need no treatment. A large i with jagged borders--or multiple café-au-lait spots (more than than 5 spots, or spots in the armpits or groin) --should be checked for a possible rare genetic status.
Dermal Melanocytosis	May be a mix of colors including brown, gray, blue, and black. Unique colour comes from having paint in dissimilar layers of skin. Usually located on the lower back and bottom.	Most are harmless and go away on their ain by toddler years. In rare cases, may be associated with rare genetic conditions.
Pigmentary Mosaicism	Have unique patterns, including lines and swirls. Affected peel, which contains different genes at nativity, may non plough color until later in life. With lord's day exposure, areas can go lighter or darker.	Usually harmless. In rare cases, particularly if the birthmark covers a large area of the trunk, may signal related bug with the bones, eyes or encephalon.

Remember:

Nigh birthmarks are harmless and are function of what makes your child unique. But some types of birthmarks can come up with potential wellness issues or may crusade some children to feel cocky-conscious. That's why it is of import to talk with your pediatrician most whatsoever unusual marks or changes on your kid's skin. There are safe and effective handling options bachelor today that are especially constructive when started early.

Additional Information:

• Infantile Hemangiomas: About Strawberry Baby Birthmarks

• What is a Pediatric Dermatologist?

• What is a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon?

• 12 Common Summer Pare Rashes in Children
  

Near Dr. Nguyen:

Nicholas Nguyen, Doctor, FAAP, is a pediatric dermatologist and the Director of Pediatric Dermatology at Akron Children's Hospital in Akron, OH. Within the American University of Pediatrics (AAP), he is the early career physician liaison to the Section on Dermatology Executive Committee and is also the AAP Pediatric Dermatology Case of the Month editor.

About Dr. Maguiness:

Sheilagh Chiliad. Maguiness, MD, FAAD, FAAP, is a pediatric dermatologist and the Managing director of Pediatric Dermatology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Maguiness is VP of Teaching and Career Development for the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, she is a member of the Section on Dermatology Executive Commission and is Chair of the Section on Dermatology Education Sub-Commission.

The information contained on this Spider web site should not exist used every bit a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on private facts and circumstances.

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Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Your-Newborns-Skin-Birthmarks-and-Rashes.aspx

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