What are birthmarks?

Birthmarks are markings on your baby's skin that may endure for life or fade away over time. Some birthmarks are called "stork bites" (when they're on the back of the head) or "angel kisses" (when they're on the forehead or eyelids). These are red, mottled spots that generally disappear in several months but sometimes over years. Other kinds of birthmarks are more permanent.

What do they look like?
The most common varieties are:

•  Raised, crimson strawberry marks which appear on about 10 per cent of babies, tend to grow for several years and then usually disappear by age five.

•  Cavernous haemangioma, a lumpy bluish or bluish-red mass which grows quickly in the first six months, then slows and starts shrinking by about 18 months, and is usually gone by the time a child reaches the teenage years.

•  Brown marks, permanent dark or light brown flat patches which sometimes appear in clusters.

•  Moles, which vary in size and may be raised or hairy.

•  Bluish or greenish Mongolian spots on the back or buttocks, which usually disappear by school age.

•  Bruise-coloured port-wine stains. Light ones may fade, but most endure and enlarge as the child grows.

Rather than seeing them as disfiguring or something to be removed, some parents consider birthmarks a sign of their child's uniqueness and find them attractive.

Are they ever serious?
Most birthmarks are harmless. However, it's wise to have your doctor check moles, especially large ones known as giant pigmented naevi , which are more likely than small moles to become cancerous over time. Your doctor will also want to keep a check on potentially problematic marks, such as port-wine stains which are near the eye, large haemangiomas on an arm, leg or near the eye, or large groups of brown marks. Any birthmarks (other than Mongolian spots) which are located on the lower spine may also need special attention.

Port-wine stains on the face or neck, even small ones, may bother a child tremendously and may even be psychologically damaging. In that case, specialised make-up can be used to disguise the area.

Can I have my baby's birthmark removed?
Parents are often tempted to have disfiguring birthmarks removed, but it's wise to leave them untreated unless they begin to interfere with the body's functions. Sometimes strawberry haemangiomas may require treatment, if they're on or close to an eye, or the throat or mouth. Consult your doctor if you're worried about a birthmark.

Treatment options