Feature
Birthmarks are discolored skin spots that can develop at birth or soon after birth. They are typically harmless and don’t require treatment unless they become bothersome or painful.
Some common types of birthmarks include:
- Moles. Moles can appear on the skin at birth. They can range in color from tan, brown, or black, to red, purple, and blue. Some moles may even be the same color as your skin. Most moles aren’t a cause for concern, but any changes in the size or shape of a mole can signal trouble and should be checked by a healthcare professional.
- Dermal melanocytosis (formerly Mongolian blue spots). Bluish patches that can appear on the backs of babies and young children, usually in those of Asian descent. These blue spots are harmless and often fade over time.
- Port-wine marks. Port-wine marks are flat patches that appear pink or red on lighter skin tones, dark-purple or violet-red on darker skin tones. They are caused by swollen blood vessels under the skin.
Description
Birthmarks are areas of discolored and/or raised skin that are apparent at birth or within a few weeks of birth. Birthmarks are made up of malformed pigment cells or blood vessels. Although the cause of birthmarks is not known, most of them are benign (noncancerous) and do not require treatment.
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