Birthmarks are seen in many babies. The cause of many of these spots of different colors is unknown, and most of them are temporary and disappear over time without requiring any treatment. Although some birthmarks are not present at birth, they may appear in the following weeks, months or years. Although it can generally occur anywhere on the body, the areas where the spots appear vary depending on the cause. Depending on the affected area, sometimes it does not cause any health problems, but sometimes it can cause problems that seriously affect the baby's life, such as vision defects, eating and drinking disorders and hearing problems.
Birthmarks Is it temporary? At what age can we say it disappears completely?
While the appearance of Mongolian spots disappears at the age of two or three, congenitally pigmented moles remain lifelong and may even tend to grow gradually. Vein moles, called hemangiomas, also tend to disappear over time, but the time they disappear varies depending on their type.
Which types of birthmarks are there?
Moles: On normal skin. Structures that arise as a result of good differentiation and proliferation of cells such as lymph, blood vessels or pigment are called moles. Moles seen on the skin are examined in seven groups.
Pigmented moles: Pigmented moles, which originate from cells called melanocytes and have a structure very close to the nervous tissue, contain the substance called melanin, which gives the color of the skin, in clusters. These moles, which are congenital or appear later due to UV rays, can be flat or slightly raised. Its color can vary from skin color to blue, black or brown. Their sizes can vary from a few millimeters to large enough to cover a part of the body. Much larger forms are called giant nevus (mole) and may have hair follicles or hairs on them. It is very important to follow these moles in terms of the danger of turning into malignant melanoma, and in case of bleeding, rapid growth, crusting and color change, you should be examined by a skin specialist, if necessary, the mole should be removed and sent to pathology and the treatment should be done accordingly. It needs to be regulated.
Cafe-Au-Lait stains (Coffee with milk stains): Cafe-Au-Lait stains that occur at the time of birth or in the following few months; They are milky brown colored, homogeneous in appearance and have distinct edges. If they are numerous and large, they suggest some syndromic diseases and research is carried out in this direction.
Vascular moles (Hemangiomas): These, like pigmented moles, are formed as a result of an abnormality of skin development and are benign. Some aesthetic problems, sometimes enlargement, pressure, disruption of normal function, ulceration or bleeding risk may occur. The most common type among these is Salmon spot (called simple nevus, stork bite or macular hemangioma). It is most commonly seen as small light pink or red spots between the two eyebrows, above the eyelids, above the midline of the upper lip and on the nape of the neck. Because they are very rich in regional dilated vascular beds, they become very visible, especially when the baby is crying. While the spots on the face, which are seen in 30-50 percent of many newborns, disappear within a few months, those on the nape of the neck may be permanent.
Strawberry hemangioma: Thin red lines on the skin immediately after birth or within the first months. It starts like this and ends in the 5th-6th. Over the months, these formations can become dark, irregular in contour, strawberry-like, soft and tumor-like. Strawberry hemangioma, which begins to disappear between the ages of 7 and 9, is usually not treated but observed. Rarely, cortisone treatment may be required in some cases. Sometimes they can put pressure on the areas where they are located and prevent feeding, breathing and vision. Patients with respiratory distress may require radiotherapy.
Cavernous hemangioma: These types, consisting of mature blood vessels, are deeper, harder, cystic and more widespread than strawberry hemangiomas. Families should be warned about these spots, which can sometimes bruise and bleed, and care should be taken to avoid trauma. In case of bleeding, a specialist should be consulted. Cavernous hemangiomas can also be found in internal organs. If they cause pressure symptoms depending on where they occur, cortisone, radiation or surgery may be chosen for treatment. If they are painful, they can be followed up without treatment.
Wine stain: There are dilated blood vessels in this lesion. Port wine stain, which is not visible in the midline and is usually unilateral, often occurs on the neck and forehead. These spots, which occur at birth and are permanent, may be red or pink in color. Wine stains, which can appear in different sizes, become slightly raised as the child grows; Very small structures can be treated with laser.
Mongolian spots: Mongolian spots, which are especially common in dark-skinned newborns, are often seen on the hips, back, shoulders, arms and legs. These spots, which are blue, light gray or purplish in color, usually disappear by the age of 2-3. Since it does not cause any disease, it does not require treatment.
Discoloration (Cutis Marmoratus): It is defined as the lace-shaped, purplish and mottled appearance of the skin on the trunk, arms and legs. This condition, which can be seen when the room temperature decreases, returns to normal when the baby is warmed, but its constant occurrence may require investigation of some diseases.
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