Birthmarks

Birthmarks are marks on a baby's skin that can remain for life or disappear over time. 

Parents who have these birthmarks on their baby, especially when they are poorly located (face, neck, arms, etc.) and very visible, must accept them and give them very little, or no importance at all, in relation to the person their baby will become.

Birthmarks are natural and often do not require any treatment. It is often much more about the child's questioning of the perception of other children and relatives on this aspect of his developing person and his culture. 

While most birthmarks are harmless, some should be examined by a doctor.

Here are the most common birthmarks:

Infantile haemangioma (strawberry)

About 5% of infants develop an infantile haemangioma in their first few days of life. This type of spot appears more often in baby girls, Caucasian newborns, and premature babies.

This spot is usually located on the head and neck. Often subtle at birth, this spot turns into a red or purplish raised plaque. It grows rapidly during the first 6 months of life, and then more slowly, stabilizing around 12 months of age.

This spot disappears a little each year during the first few years of life. Thus, by the time the little one is around 4 years old, the haemangioma is 90% smaller. In general, it diminishes little after this age. In more than half of cases, the haemangioma can leave a residual spot on the skin or a scar.

It is best to consult a doctor if the haemangioma is very large, if it is located in a risk area (nose, ear, lips, throat, neck, genitals, around the eyes or in the lower back), if it forms a wound or if there are many lesions.

Mole:

If the appearance of a birthmark changes, consult a doctor or dermatologist. A mole present from birth is also called a "congenital melanocyte naevus". It appears in the form of a more or less dark brown spot that most often appears from birth or in the first months of life.

The child can also develop moles throughout his life. Moles can measure a few millimetres to several centimetres. For example, small ones measure less than 1.5 cm, medium ones can measure up to 20 cm and the largest ones up to more than 40 cm.

Moles, especially large ones, need to be examined regularly by a doctor because they can develop into melanoma. The risk of developing melanoma is estimated at 1% during life for small and medium moles, while the risk increases by 2 to 5% for larger moles.

Surgical treatment can be performed to prevent the appearance of melanoma, but this does not completely eliminate the risk. An operation can also be performed if the lesion is unsightly.

However, melanoma is a rare cancer that has a genetic component and is linked to sun exposure. More than 75% of melanomas develop on healthy skin. Only a minority of melanomas appear on pre-existing moles.

You should see a doctor if the size, shape, or colour of a mole changes within a few weeks. You should also see a doctor if a bump becomes visible on a mole or if a new spot that is different in appearance (colour or shape) appears.

Café au lait spot

A café au lait spot is brownish and oval or irregular in shape and has no relief. This minor spot is linked to an excess of melanin. There is no effective treatment for café au lait spots. 1 to 3 spots can be observed in 25 to 35% of children.

However, the presence of 5 or more spots could indicate a hereditary disease. If several spots are present on the skin, you should consult a doctor.

Port-wine stain:

Any birthmark located on the lower spine may require special attention, except for the Mongolian spot. A port-wine stain, also called a "port-wine angioma", is linked to a malformation of the capillary vessels.

Due to the excessive dilation of these vessels, a red or purplish mark appears on the surface of the skin. Dark red port-wine stains tend to grow over several years. Their surface increases proportionally to the child's growth and thickens in adulthood.

Depending on the location of the port-wine stain, especially when it is located on the face, it may be useful to have a medical check-up to look for associated abnormalities. Most of the time, these stains are only unsightly.

Port-wine stains on the face or neck, even small ones, can greatly bother a child, and even have negative psychological consequences. Talk to him about it and discuss it with a health professional.

The latter will be able to guide you in the course of action to follow depending on the case. Some hospitals offer laser treatments to reduce the appearance of port-wine stains. Early intervention is generally preferable to obtain maximum improvement and minimize psychological or social repercussions, as well as the area to be treated.

There is no minimum age to receive laser treatment. In most studies, it is mentioned that the first treatment is given around the age of 3 months. These treatments require a medical referral, and the waiting list is long, since laser devices for this type of treatment are only available in a few hospitals. These treatments are also offered in private clinics.

Mongoloid spot: Located on the buttocks or back, these spots tend to be blue, green or gray and look like a bruise on the skin. They are the most common birthmarks in newborns of African, North American Native, Asian or Hispanic origin.

These spots usually disappear around the age of 2 or 3, and by the age of 10, most of these spots have disappeared. Only 3% of these spots persist into adulthood.

Mongoloid spots are usually harmless and do not require treatment.

Salmon spot:  Also called "stork bite" or "angel kiss" or "naevus simplex", the salmon spot is common and not serious. Up to 40 to 60% of newborns have one. It is common in children who have a pale complexion. The salmon spot is present on the forehead from birth.

This spot can extend to the eyelids, nose or neck. It turns white when pressed lightly and becomes more visible when the child cries or strains to have a bowel movement.

Spots on the face usually disappear before the age of 3. However, those on the back of the neck or forehead can persist throughout life. Up to a third of adults have salmon-coloured spots on the back of the neck, often hidden by hair. They do not require any treatment.

 

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