What You Should Think About Birthmarks

Birthmarks are areas of flat or raised discolored skin that are often seen on the body at birth or may develop shortly after birth. While folktales claim various reasons for these blemishes, the exact causes of birthmarks are unknown. However, most birthmarks are not inherited and are not caused by anything that happens to the mother during pregnancy. They vary in color and may be brown, tan, or black to blue, pink or red. Some birthmarks are only stains on the surface of the kin, while others extend into the tissues under the skin or grow above the surface. Normally, some birthmarks grow with the child and change little in color throughout a lifetime, while others fade or darken in time.

Birthmarks are most often harmless, unlike which are also permanent but sometimes harmful; however, some troubles birthmarks may require treatment. Most birthmarks can be identified as either pigmented/brown lesions or vascular lesions.

Congenital Nevi are typically present at birth, brown or black in color, vary in size and location and can be either raised or flat. These common birthmarks most often require no treatment. However, nevi with irregular color or borders, a nodular surface or bleeding should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Large nevi, particularly on the midline of the back or scalp, should also be evaluated. Surgical removal may be necessary for atypical appearing nevi due to a potential risk of skin cancer.

Café-au-lait spots are tan or light brown patches that are the result of too much pigment in the skin. These discolorations can sometimes appear in multiples, and about 10-20 percent of children and adults have one. Café-au-lait spots may fade over a lifetime, but do not usually go away. A single spot is not typically serious, but numerous spots may suggest other health problems and a dermatologist should be consulted.

Mongolian spots are flat, gray-blue discolorations found on the back or buttocks of babies, and are commonly found in newborns with dark skin. Although they may never go away altogether, Mongolian spots usually disappear by school age without treatment.

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