birthmarks

We all want that perfect look without any marks at all. Not even the birthmark. But merciless skin conditions affect various people at different times. Sometimes, natural changes start appearing on our body by the time we open our eyes while sometimes these abnormalities spare us some time until we grow older. Regardless of the causes and effects, the discoloration of the skin is always there to affect us, either on an early or later day.

Wondering What Skin Discoloration Can Cause Us in Our Early Days

Out of many, the only discoloration that holds us into its circumference from day one or even in the womb is Birthmark. Though some people state that it’s not like these marks are there by the time we open up our eyes rather in many cases these marks develop with the passage of time. Time may vary from the first week to a few months or maybe many years. However, at the larger end, this is considered that such discoloration of skin starts developing within the womb and thus appears on our skin by day 1.

Why Are These Marks Termed As Birthmarks

Birthmarks get their name for one simple reason: They are marks that are present on the skin of a lot of newborn babies! A baby can develop birthmarks either before being born or soon after birth.

What Gives Rise to These Marks

Years and years passed on, yet medical science is still looking for the reasons that let these marks appear on our skin. It is hypothesized that an overgrowth of blood vessels, melanocytes, and smooth muscle cells may contribute to the formation of birthmarks.

Depending upon shape and appearance or their underlying cause, such as vascular or pigmented, dermatologists and skin specialists classify these marks into many types.

Types of Birthmarks

Broadly speaking there are two main types:-

All other types do come to fall within these types.

Vascular Blemishes and Types

Vascular marks often occur in the head and neck area, mainly on the face. Such a type of birthmark can appear anywhere, including inside the body. If surface blood vessels are affected, a vascular birthmark will appear red, purple, or pink. If the affected vessels are deep, the birthmark will appear blue. Vascular Birthmarks. Having different characteristics and shades, these marks are further divided into the following subcategories.

Salmon Patch (Stork Mark)

Have you seen those pinkish or slightly red marks on the baby’s eyelid? Sure you do as these are the most common and present in half of all babies. Most of these patches will fade completely within the first year or two, but if they occur on the forehead, they may take longer to disappear or may persist into adulthood. These patches become more noticeable when babies cry.

Strawberry Marks (Infantile haemangioma)

Most of them start off as small and flat. One is not sure if these will grow in the future or not. Usually, quick growth is observed in the first 4 to 5 months. This growth process then slows down. Strawberry marks fade with the passage of time. However, in some instances, these marks may persist and not fade away. Until you opt for some serious treatments for these. Infantile hemangiomas are more common in girls and affect around 5% of infants, often appearing within the first few weeks of life.

Capillary malformation (port wine stain)

Sometimes mistaken for strawberry marks, port wine stains are actually present at birth. The color of these discolorations ranges from pink to deep wine red. According to dermatologists, Port wine stains occur due to the abnormal development of blood vessels. They are caused by the dilated capillaries in the skin.

Pigmented Birthmarks

The pigment is a substance that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. Pigmented Birthmarks appear on account of numerous reasons. Pigmented nevi are benign skin discolorations, also known as moles. The causes of these birth stains like many others are still not clear. Depending upon different characteristics, these marks can be further subdivided into the following types:-

  • Mongolian spots
  • Moles
  • Café-au-lait spots

Let’s discuss each of them separately. 

Mongolian Spots

People having darker skin are the most affected ones. Mongolian spots are blue-grey or bruised-looking birthmarks. These marks are present from birth. Mainly these marks occur on the lower back or buttocks, however, they can also appear on the body or limbs too. The time span for Mongolian spots to fade varies, but they typically fade by the time a child reaches school age.

Moles

A sign of beauty and a point of attraction for many, but a serious discomfort for some. Moles are one of the most common types of Pigmentation that remained under discussion for many years. Though moles are generally harmless. If moles start changing in size, shape, or color, or become symptomatic, they should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as they may be a sign of skin cancer.

Café au Lait spot

Stretching its roots from the French phrase “Coffee with Milk” Café-au-lait spots are a common type of pigmented birthmark. These marks could occupy you from birth or they may appear in early childhood. A distinguishing feature of these marks is their permanence, as they do not fade with age.

Ways to Cure Birthmarks

These marks are generally harmless if they do not impact our skin negatively. However, the quest to look dashing and dazzling never goes out of the world, this is why people keep on exploring instant ways to get their skin free from such stains, and in doing so, they have witnessed that Laser therapies can be effective in treating some birthmarks, but they do not guarantee instant results and may have potential side effects. Consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment options.