Types and characteristics of birthmarks
Everyone has some birthmarks of different sizes, and the birthmark after the birth of the baby is more likely to cause concern for parents. This article will take stock of 7 common baby birthmarks for you, and analyze which birthmarks are benign and do not require intervention, and which ones need timely intervention.
1. No pigmented nevus
Unpigmented nevi are generally white and flat, and most often appear on your baby's trunk and head and neck. This birthmark is mainly caused by a disorder in the movement of melanin in the local skin. Generally speaking, pigmentless nevi do not require special treatment, just do a good job of sun protection on the local skin to reduce their visibility. If you have a request for your baby's appearance, you can also visit a dermatology or laser aesthetic clinic for further treatment.
2. Mongolian spot
Mongolian spots are generally blue-gray or grayish-brown in color, relatively flat, and are commonly found on your baby's waist, buttocks, and limbs. Mongolian spots are caused by a delayed loss of melanocytes during fetal development. In general, Mongolian spots will slowly disappear on their own over several years, leaving no special traces.
3. Ito or Ota
The appearance and causes of Ito and Ota are similar to Mongolian spots, but Ito's nevi are common on the back of the shoulders and Ota on the face, especially on the temples. Some of these birthmarks appear after birth. Unlike Mongolian spots, Ito and Ota moles do not disappear on their own, but gradually increase in size as your baby grows and develops. In general, these birthmarks do not require special treatment, but if there are aesthetic considerations, you can go to the hospital for improvement. It is important to note that Ota nevi near the eye area should be visited by the eye clinic in time, and it is up to the doctor to determine whether further examination and treatment are needed.
4. Café au lait spots
Café au lait spots are generally brown in color, relatively flat, and one of the most common brown birthmarks. This birthmark is caused by an increased number of local skin melanocytes and can appear anywhere on the body, gradually increasing as the baby grows and develops. In general, café au lait spots do not need special treatment, just do a good job of sun protection in your daily life to avoid darkening the color of the birthmark. If you have requirements for your baby's appearance, you can go to the hospital to seek ways to improve. However, if your baby has 6 or more café-au lait spots, or if the plaques are significantly larger, you will need to go to the hospital for an outpatient visit to determine if there is a possibility of neurofibromas.
5. Congenital melanocytic nevus
Congenital melanocytic nevi have a darkish-brown appearance with a flat or slightly raised surface and may be present at birth or may appear gradually after birth. This birthmark is caused by a proliferation of melanocytes and can appear anywhere in the body and grow in size as your baby grows and develops. Prompt medical attention is required for cases such as trunk diameter greater than 6 cm in newborns, scalp diameter greater than 9 cm in diameter, black birthmark greater than 20 cm diameter in any position in larger babies, and bulges or pouches on the surface of the birthmark. For black birthmarks on the palms, soles of the feet, and skin folds, it is also necessary for the doctor to determine whether treatment is necessary due to the accumulated friction irritation.
6. Bright red spots
Bright red nevi are pale red, dark red, or purplish-red, flat, most commonly on the head, face, and neck, but may also appear on the body and limbs. Bright red nevi are caused by abnormal telangiectasia. In general, bright red spots will darken as the baby grows and develops, except for the light red bright red spots on the forehead and behind the occipital, the rest of the moles will disappear on their own. Prompt medical attention is required for darker erythema on the face, especially around the eyes, and large areas of erythema, especially on the extremities.
7. Hemangioma
Hemangiomas are red in color, have an uneven surface, and may grow rapidly over 6 months, then gradually slow down until they regress. Most babies have hemangiomas that resolve on their own before the baby is 4 years old. Conditions that require prompt medical attention include: appearance on the head and face, hands, feet, neck, intimate parts, armpits and other skin folds, diameter greater than 5 cm, whitening, atrophy, broken ulcers on the surface, and multiple hemangiomas.
Which birthmarks require intervention
In general, most birthmarks are benign and do not affect your baby's growth and development. Prompt medical attention is required for intervention only if:
1. Café au lait spots: If the baby has 6 or more café au lait spots, or the plaques are significantly larger, there may be a possibility of neurofibroma and need to be evaluated and treated by a doctor.
2. Congenital melanocytic nevus: the specific treatment indicators are: for newborns, the diameter of the trunk is greater than 6 cm, and the diameter of the scalp is greater than 9 cm; for larger babies, the diameter of the black birthmark at any position is greater than 20 cm; there are bulges or small packets on the surface of the birthmark; black birthmarks appearing on the palms, soles of the feet and skin folds may change due to friction stimulation, and doctors need to judge whether treatment is needed.
3. Bright red spots: If there are dark red spots on the face, especially around the eyes, and large areas of red spots, especially on the limbs, you need to seek medical attention in time.
4. Hemangioma: If the hemangioma appears on the head and face, hands, feet, neck, intimate parts, armpits and other skin folds, with a diameter of more than 5 cm, the surface appears white, atrophied, broken ulcers, or multiple hemangiomas, it is necessary to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
In summary, most birthmarks are benign and do not require specific treatment. However, if there are special circumstances or requirements for the appearance of the baby, it is recommended to consult a doctor in time and treat it according to the specific situation. Do not self-use medication or try other methods to avoid unnecessary harm. Depending on factors such as the type, location, size and age of the birthmark, the doctor will develop an appropriate intervention plan to ensure the baby's health and appearance.