What are the symptoms of pigmented birthmarks?
Pigmented birthmarks might increase in size as the child grows, change colors (especially after sun exposure and during the teen years as hormone levels change), become itchy, and might occasionally bleed.
What are the symptoms of red birthmarks?
Symptoms of red birthmarks include:
- Skin markings that develop before or shortly after birth
- Red skin rashes or lesions
- Skin markings that resemble blood vessels
- Possible bleeding
- Skin that might break open
How are pigmented birthmarks treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed for the birthmarks themselves. When birthmarks do require treatment, however, that treatment varies based on the kind of birthmark and its related conditions.
Large or prominent nevi that affect the appearance and self-esteem might be covered with special cosmetics.
Moles might be removed surgically if they affect the appearance or if they have an increased cancer risk.
What is the treatment for red birthmarks?
Many capillary birthmarks such as salmon patches and strawberry hemangiomas are temporary and require no treatment. For permanent lesions, concealing cosmetics might be helpful. Cortisone (oral or injected) can reduce the size of a hemangioma that is growing rapidly and obstructing vision or vital structures. Other oral medicines have been used experimentally with some success in these cases, as well.
Port-wine stains on the face can be treated at a young age with a yellow-pulsed dye laser for best results. Treatment of the birthmarks might help prevent psychosocial problems that can result in individuals who have port-wine stains.
Permanent red birthmarks might be treated with methods including:
- Cryotherapy (freezing)
- Laser surgery
- Surgical removal
In some cases, birthmarks are not treated until a child reaches school age. However, birthmarks are treated earlier if they result in unwanted symptoms or if they compromise vital functions such as vision or breathing.
How are red birthmarks diagnosed?
In most cases, a healthcare professional can diagnose a red birthmark based on the appearance of the skin. Deeper birthmarks can be confirmed with imaging tests such as MRI, ultrasound, CT scans, or biopsies.
How are pigmented birthmarks diagnosed?
In most cases, healthcare professionals can diagnose birthmarks based on the appearance of the skin. If needed, a skin biopsy might be performed.
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