For the most part, birthmarks are blemishes on the skin that are noticeable at birth or shortly afterward. However, some types of birthmark — such as white forelock — affect the hair and may not become noticeable until a child is a few months old. Many babies have a birthmark, and they are not usually a cause for concern. Very few birthmarks cause significant medical problems. Although some people request surgery to remove birthmarks, few of these procedures occur due to medical necessity. In this article, we cover several types of birthmarks and their causes, as well as possible complications of a birthmark and treatments to reduce their risk of becoming harmful.

Causes Share on Pinterest A birthmark is a blemish on the skin that is visible from birth or shortly afterward. Researchers do not yet fully understand why some babies have birthmarks and others do not.



That said, some have hypothesized that a buildup of cells that line the blood vessels of infants may cause strawberry marks to occur.



Some doctors believe that a tiny piece of placenta may become lodged inside the developing embryo very early on in the pregnancy.



If damage occurs to the nerves that control the widening or narrowing of capillaries, there is a chance of port-wine stains, especially if the capillaries permanently widen in one area.



Also, many experts believe that some proteins produced by the placenta during pregnancy may be linked to a higher chance of developing some types of birthmark.

Complications The vast majority of birthmarks pose no long term health problems. Many of them eventually fade away. That being said, some birthmarks, including strawberry marks, may turn into an open sore and develop an infection if they are in an area that is frequently irritated. According to the Genetics Home Reference library, people with a giant congenital melanocytic nevus have a 5–10% chance of developing melanoma, which is an aggressive skin cancer. Also, if a port-wine stain occurs around the eye, there is a higher risk of developing glaucoma. A child with a strawberry mark on the eyelid requires prompt treatment, otherwise their risk of experiencing vision problems increases. Likewise, a strawberry mark that interferes with breathing or feeding may be life threatening and requires rapid treatment. Very rarely, port-wine stains can occur due to Sturge–Weber syndrome, a condition of the blood vessels that affects the eyes, brain, and skin. Here, learn more about melanoma.