Birthmarks

The coloured marks on the skin or below the skin surface is called as birthmark. Medically, it is known as naevus. These are not hereditary. A birthmark developing before or just after the birth of the baby is called as congenital birthmark.

Epithelial naevus is the one which appears on the skin. Those birthmarks appearing in the deeper skin layers are called the subcutaneous or dermal naevus.

The different types of birthmarks are:

• capillary haemangioma or strawberry mark
• stork marks
• cavernous haemangioma
• port wine stains
• Congenital melanocytic naevi.

Symptoms

Every three in 1000 babies have port wine stains. These are the purple or red flat marks on the skin and can be found more in girls. It occurs due to the problem with the capillaries at their point of formation. The condition is called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Haemangioma is a capillary collection producing a mark raised on the skin. It usually can be seen on the neck or head.

Haemangioma can be capillary haemangioma, which appears on the skin surface. It can also be cavernous haemangioma, which occurs as a purple or blue coloured mark under the skin. These tend to be found more in girls.

Congenital melanocytic naevi occurs when the melanocytes group to form in a specific area. It is usually brown in colour in fair skinned people.

Stork marks are pink, flat areas on the back side of the neck or between eyebrows. They usually disappear a few months later.

Causes

Port wine stains happen due to the non-constriction of capillaries in a particular area resulting in the area developing a purple or red colour due to constant flow of blood due to that area.

In some cases port wine stains can be associated with conditions like:

Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome
Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

In cases of Sturge-Weber Syndrome, there will be abnormalities to the blood vessels, affecting the normal functioning of the brain, due to port wine stains.

The port wine stains can be seen on the limbs, causing its enlargement, in case of Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome.

The haemangioma occurs due to abnormal development of capillaries at the point one can see the mark. Capillary haemangioma clears up normally when the child is seven years old. But in cases where the haemangioma can cause the distortion of the surrounding area, plastic surgery is advised.

The other type of haemangioma usually disappears by five years, but some level of treatment must be provided.

Congenital melanocytic naevi happens due to abnormal development of the melanocytes. The all gather together at one point.

Treatment

Laser surgery is used to lighten the pigmentation of the affected are in port wine stains. In certain cases one may need to use make-up to camouflage the stains.

Use of steroids, laser therapy or both may be advised in severe cases of haemangioma. Alpha interferon can be used in cases where cavernous haemangioma is severe.

CMNS and stork marks do not generally require treatment. A biopsy is usually done for CMNs only if they change in colour or shape or size increases.