Birthmarks

The ratio of babies having birthmarks is about one to ten. The obvious reason why such is called a birthmark is that babies are born with these. There are no definitive results as to when exactly birthmarks develop in babies during pregnancy. The same goes for studies on what can be the cause of birthmarks. However, there are birthmarks that develop after birth as well. Studies show that birthmarks are more common in premature babies, twins, and females. Generally, birth marks are quite harmless, and there is no need to have them removed. But there are definitely times when birthmarks have to be removed by means of surgery. This is because there are some birthmarks that indicate a serious medical condition. This bit rarely happens. But when it does, it definitely calls for a birthmark removal surgery.

There are different types of birthmarks, but the most common type of all is the hemangioma. Hemangiomas are composed of blood vessels that group together just beneath the skin. Hemangiomas are generally painless, and they disappear in their own time.

There are two sorts of hemangiomas, the strawberry and the cavernous. The strawberry kind is actually the most popular birthmark there is. Strawberry birthmarks are named such because of their red appearance. And they really look like strawberries because they are raised, and protrude a bit from the skin. In general, strawberry birthmarks disappear on their own on or before the child’s ninth birth year.

Cavernous hemangiomas, on the other hand, are located deep within the skin. They are not red in appearance at all, unlike their strawberry birthmark counterparts. In fact, they are blue in color, and they appear puffy or swollen. Cavernous hermangiomas do not disappear on their own. There have not been cases of such birthmarks disappearing without needing some sort of surgery. It is also very rare for a cavernous hermangiomas to disrupt or disturb the everyday normal functioning of people. This depends on the location of the birth mark itself.

Aside from hemangiomas, another sort of birthmark is the port wine stain. Port wine stain birth marks are of a deeper red in color. The main difference between port wine stain birthmarks and strawberry birthmarks is that the port wine stain ones are flat and at level with the skin. Strawberry birthmarks, on the other hand, protrude from the skin.

Port wine stain birthmarks are usually located by the eyes and the cheeks. And this kind of birthmark has been associated with certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma. Another medical condition that is closely related to this kind of birthmark is the Sturge-Weber syndrome. This is a medical condition physicians are wary about. In fact, babies with this type of birthmarks are to be under constant supervision by their physicians.

And if you never thought that moles could be birthmarks, think again. For moles are birthmarks as well! Most moles are harmless, and would not require to be removed at all. But there are other moles that beg to differ. These moles are the ones that experience itching, bleeding, or changes in size, color, or shape. Physicians should monitor these moles, because they can very well be cancerous.

When there’s a need for birthmarks to be removed, you actually have a lot of options for this. For simple hemangiomas, most of them disappear on their own. Or you can take corticosteroids for their removal, or just to prevent them from growing. These corticosteroids come in oral, topical, or injected form. These methods are for the simple birthmarks. But for the more complex birthmarks, like the moles and such, surgery just might be needed. Your physician can help you weigh out your options for such a surgery, if it were needed.