Causes of Birthmarks in Babies

Some newborn babies often have birthmarks in certain areas of the body. Birthmarks can be in the form of colorful spots with varying sizes and shapes. But do you know why some babies have it, but some don't? According to public belief, birthmarks will be attached to the baby if during pregnancy, the mother sees a lunar eclipse. There are also those who say birthmarks are caused by a period of craving for pregnant women that is not fulfilled. Actually, until now the cause of birthmarks in babies is still not certain. Even doctors don't know why some babies have birthmarks and some don't. If seen from the medical side, some birthmarks are caused by blood vessels that have accumulated or do not grow normally. While other birthmarks arise because of dyes or additional pigments on the skin. Broadly speaking, birthmarks are divided into two types, namely vascular birthmarks and pigmented birthmarks.

Vascular birthmarks.

This birthmark is caused by abnormal blood vessels under the skin. Spots that arise are usually purple, pink, red, or blue. Its presence is often found in the face, neck and head area. These birthmarks are divided into several types, namely:

• Strawberry sign.

The medical name of this type of birthmark is infantile hemangioma. Babies who have this type of birthmark will have red patches resembling strawberries on the skin. However, if the abnormal blood vessels invade into deeper parts under the skin, the patches that appear will be blue or purple. About five percent of babies have this sign shortly after birth. The spots will enlarge in the first six months, then disappear before the child is seven years old.

• Angel's kiss (angel's kisses).

This sign is also commonly called a crane bite, macular stain, or salmon patch. Its presence is characterized by thin pink or red patches on the skin that resemble the color of salmon, and is more likely to appear on the skin between the eyebrows, upper eyelids, upper lip, or back of the neck. Most angel kiss marks will disappear completely, without any treatment, within a few months. However, if this mark appears on the forehead area, the process of waning spots can take about two to four years. Meanwhile, the mark on the back of the neck can last longer until it grows up.

• Wine stain.

Pinkish red spots were seen since the baby was born. These patches will then turn purplish red. Grape stains often occur on one side of the body and usually occur on the face, chest, and back. Even so, this birthmark can also appear in other areas of the body. Most grape stains are permanent and have the potential to enlarge with age.

Pigmented birthmarks.

The cause of this birthmark is the presence of pigmented cells in the skin. The patches that arise are usually brown. These birthmarks are divided into several types, namely:

• Large mole.

Moles or congenital melanocytic naevi that are brown or black can be seen since the baby is born. The size of the diameter of this mole varies, some are less than 1.5 cm to exceed 20 cm. Over time, this sign will shrink and the color fades. But there are also those whose size actually enlarges with increasingly dense or hairy colors.

• Coffee stains.

Many children have one or two brownish marks on their body. Birthmarks that resemble the color of coffee stains usually fade or shrink with the child's growth. But there is also a more concentrated color because of exposure to sunlight.

• Mongolian patches.

This grayish-blue birthmark that looks like a bruise generally attacks babies with darker skin. These patches are usually seen in the buttocks or lower back area. But it can also appear in other areas of the body. Mongolian patches can last for months or years, but usually fade when a child is four years old or at school age.

Are Birthmarks Harmful?

Most birthmarks are harmless and do not require any treatment. Some birthmarks will disappear over time. But although it rarely happens, there are also birthmarks that can have a negative impact on health. The following birthmarks that require medical treatment:

• Enlarged strawberry marks or those that affect the eye, mouth or nose area. Birthmarks at these locations can cause disturbances in vision and breathing
• Wine stains must be treated immediately if the spots are near the eyes and cheeks. This condition is often associated with vision problems, such as glaucoma.
• Coffee stains that arise more than six spots can be a sign of neurofibromatosis. This condition can cause tumors.
• Birthmarks that appear on the lower backbone can develop under the skin and affect the spinal cord and blood flow to the nerve.
• In addition to having an impact on physical health, there are some birthmarks that can affect a child's psychological condition, for example because they are very large or appear on the face.

Handling that can be done to treat birthmarks can be in the form of laser use, surgery, or taking drugs, such as propranolol or corticosteroids. To overcome the birthmarks that interfere with the psychological condition of children, you can consult further with a child's psychologist.