Understanding Baby Birthmarks: Types, Causes & Treatment

As many as one in three babies are born with a birthmark. These are neither painful or harmful, although about one in a hundred will require medical treatment. If the birthmark is hidden from view it is generally not a problem, but if it is on the face or neck parents will often want to do all they can to remove the mark, especially if baby is a girl.

Types of Birthmark

• Strawberry Naevi Marks – these often appear at age 2 or 3 weeks, are red in color and may feel lumpy. They often grow in size for 6-9 months.
• Stork Bites - also called ‘salmon patch’, a pinkish color, lie flat on the skin and don’t grow. Stork Bites usually disappear in the first two years.
• Port Wine Stains – as the name suggests, these marks are a reddy-purple in color and they can cover quite a large area.

Treatment

Stork Bites require no treatment. Strawberry marks are usually treated with steriod cream or in extreme cases by laser. The only treatment for Port Wine marks is by laser.

Early treatment is more successful. Laser treatment is best started by the age of two and can take up to six treatments spread over three years.

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Authors: Tony and Katy Luck who run a site giving advice on conception, pregnancy and birth and a personalized gifts site.