Birth marks in newborns: causes and methods of removal

Types of birthmarks

A child may have a wide variety of birthmarks on his body - smooth or covered with fluff, reddish or brown, convex or flat. The main types of birthmarks in newborns are nevi and angiomas.

What shade can nevi be?

Nevi are among the most common types of skin marks. They usually come in a variety of brownish shades, ranging from dark brown to pale. The basis of nevi are melantocytes. These epidermal cells contain melanin, a pigment that affects skin tone. It is necessary to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Sometimes these cells are localized in one place, which leads to the appearance of a mole. Dark birthmarks indicate an abundance of melanin, while light ones indicate a lack of it.

A Mongolian spot in a newborn should also not be a cause for concern for parents. It is also a place of concentration of melanin and is a spot, or several spots of different sizes from 1 to 10 cm in diameter, blue, green or even black. The most common location is the baby’s lower back, mainly the tailbone or butt. Mongolian spots are safe, they do not cause any discomfort to the child and go away on their own before adolescence. This type of nevus is named so because of their frequent detection in Mongolian children (90%), Mongolian spots are also often found in Asians, representatives of the Mongoloid and Negroid races.

Mongolian spot in a newborn

Mongolian spot

There are also white formations. These include anemic nevi that arise due to underdeveloped blood vessels.

They need to be distinguished from millet grasses - milia. The latter look like convex dots filled with whitish content. They are a type of skin rash. Anemic nevi are a congenital phenomenon, and they are easy to identify: you need to rub the spot. The surrounding skin will turn red, but the formation will remain white.

We also recommend reading the article: Rash in a newborn: types, causes and methods of treatment

Light brown Jadassohn nevi indicate a congenital defect of the sebaceous glands. They are usually found on the baby's head, under the hairs. This occurs in 3 out of 1000 babies. It is recommended to remove it before adolescence, since in 10-15% of cases, they can subsequently develop into a cancerous tumor.

Nevi of Jadassohn

What if it’s a matter of blood vessels?

Another type of birthmarks is angiomas. They are of vascular nature. Congenital formations of small vessels on the skin are called hemangiomas. If such accumulations form in the lymphatic system, then they are classified as lymphangiomas. Even congenital, they appear externally only by the age of three.

In a newborn, only vascular hemangiomas can be detected. They are distinguished by a whole range of shades of red. Such formations are divided into several subtypes:

Strawberry (strawberry) hemangioma

These formations are convex, similar to red “berries”. They appear immediately after birth, usually on the face. The sizes can be different - from a millimeter to several in width. Strawberry hemangioma can increase in size, which is why it is dangerous, as it can affect the healthy tissues of the child.

Often this type of hemangioma stops growing, gradually brightens, shrinks and disappears completely by the age of 10.

Strawberry (strawberry) hemangioma

Stellate (spider) angioma

It looks like a star with a bright base and “rays” extending from it. Most often it occurs on the child's neck. Disappears on its own in the first years of life.

Stellate angioma

Cavernous hemangioma

Loose, purple hemangioma, deeply embedded in the skin. It feels warmer to the touch than the surrounding epidermis. If you press, the baby will cry due to unpleasant sensations. This type of neoplasm requires treatment.

Cavernous hemangioma

Flaming (fiery) nevus

Looks like a red or purple stain from spilled wine. It can appear anywhere on the baby’s body. Such formations do not go away on their own. If they are not removed, they will remain for life. If the “wine stain” is in a visible place or continues to grow, it is better to take the trouble to correct the defect.

“Stork marks” (capillary hemangioma)

Capillary hemangioma

Such marks are also called “stork bites.” And if there is a mark on the baby’s forehead - “an angel’s kiss.” The formation is usually pink or red, but can also be orange, and resembles the mark of a bird's beak, which is how it gets its name. The formation is flat and does not rise above the skin. It is often found on the back of the baby’s head, in the neck area. When stressed, for example, when a baby cries, it acquires a brighter color. By the age of two, “stork marks” in most cases go away on their own.

Capillary hemangioma

In addition to the above, there are other types of birthmarks. But they are much less common.

If you notice that a child’s hemangioma is increasing in size, immediately contact a specialist (surgeon). He will be able to assess the danger of the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment or removal of the tumor.

Removal of birthmarks in newborns

Appearing birthmarks can cause discomfort to the child, for example, if they are located in an area that often comes into contact with clothing and is subject to friction. Their number may increase. Only a doctor can answer the question of where the spots appear on a baby. If there is a danger to the newborn, the skin lesion is removed. Medicine offers four ways:

laser removal;
cryotherapy;
removal through medicinal injection;
surgical intervention.

The doctor will explain the reasons why one method or another is chosen. This is due to the specifics of the neoplasm, the age of the child and his state of health. In some cases, a birthmark is a cosmetic defect that worries parents, located on the head or open area of the child’s skin. Sometimes this spoils the first photo of the baby. In this case, it is necessary to remember about health, and not about the external component. Birthmarks should be removed only if necessary after consultation with a doctor.

Causes of skin formations

The reasons for a birthmark in a newborn, of course, are not that his mother loved to pet dogs and cats, as the ancients believed. However, scientists cannot say exactly why such marks may appear. Only risk factors for their occurrence have been identified.

Why do birthmarks appear in newborns? This is affected by:

Hereditary factor;
Hormonal surges in the expectant mother;
Exposure to toxic substances on the body of a pregnant woman;
Bad ecology;
Climate change;
Infections of the genitourinary system.

But it happens that a birthmark appears in a newborn even without exposure to risk factors.

Birthmark on a baby: what to do?

Is your baby's birthmark small, smooth, does not grow and does not cause concern to the baby? Everything is fine, nothing to worry about. But you need to take the new growth seriously. Observe the nevus and notice whether the mark grows or hurts. If changes occur, you should visit a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist.

If a newborn has a birthmark on his body, several rules should be followed:

Keep this area away from direct sunlight.
Make sure that the baby does not scratch the area with the mark.
Try to ensure that the nevus is never exposed to caustic substances, such as household chemicals.

In rare cases, marks on the skin can be fatal. Where can it appear? Under the influence of negative factors, a simple mole degenerates into a malignant formation - melanoma. Therefore, if the spot increases in size, you should urgently contact a specialist. If the formation is removed in time, there will be no health consequences.

Reasons for the appearance of formations

Many parents are interested in the question of the appearance of red spots on the skin after childbirth. The situation may be a consequence of breech presentation or an infection suffered by a pregnant woman. Simple nevi occur due to abnormal position of the fetus and go away on their own without external treatment. This will take no more than one week. Due to the incorrect position of the fetus in the last month of pregnancy, it does not have enough space, so it has to take an uncomfortable position. In this case, the handles or head are in close contact with each other. In rare cases, you can also observe spreading of the legs or throwing the head back.

The doctor will help you understand why red spots appear on the baby’s face. When he is in the womb, the walls of the uterus press on him. Against the background of prolonged pressure, focal ischemic disease may develop. It is characterized by poor blood movement through the vessels. The capillaries may expand and turn a characteristic red color. The situation leads to a change in the elasticity of blood vessels for the worse. If the symptom develops against this background, the red spots will go away without additional medications.

With an occipital presentation, the baby presses his head and legs tightly to his chest. That is why red spots appear exclusively in the occipital region. In this case, facial presentation is characterized by manifestations on the forehead, eyelids and bridge of the nose. In this case, spots appear on the lip, chin or nose.

The faces of infants may contain birthmarks, which appear due to the negative influence of the following reasons:

We recommend reading: What is hemangioma in newborns

If a woman has suffered from infectious diseases in the first trimester, they can cause complications on the skin of the fetus. It is during this period that the formation of the infant’s cardiovascular system occurs. Viruses and infections cause cracking of capillaries. In this case, it is possible to record the appearance of formations of a different nature.
During pregnancy, the woman was not provided with sufficient nutrition. She was unable to eat fruits and vegetables, which contain the required amount of vitamins and minerals.
The woman lived in an area with a poor environmental situation.
During the period of gestation, alcohol and tobacco entered the body.
Hypoxic disease of a child, which arose against the background of insufficient walks in the fresh air.
Rhesus conflict was previously diagnosed.

Mixed hemangioma

Should moles be removed from babies?

It is recommended to eliminate formations in infants only if there is a danger to life. In babies, the immune system is not yet very developed, and any intervention can lead to serious consequences.

In what cases do doctors recommend surgery at an early age:

The birthmark is very large;
The formation rapidly increases in size;
There are more than five marks, and they are concentrated in one place;
The mole is located in a traumatic place (under the armpits, on the belt, on the skin of the eyelid, in the anus);
Nevus interferes with the normal functioning of organs (on the hand, in the nose, in the eyes).

Particular importance should be given to those cases if a mole transforms - changes color or shape, grows, hairs fall out of it, it begins to bleed or itch.

Differentiation into species

In medical practice, approximately 30% have red spots on the face of infants.

In order to choose the right course of treatment, their origin should be established:

Simple nevi are considered the most harmless among all formations. They are quite often fixed on the baby’s skin during the postpartum period. They can be seen on the forehead, back of the head, eyelids, forehead and other places. In folk medicine they were previously considered a stork bite. The shape may be different, but upon detailed palpation it will not be audible. There is no need to treat such formations, because they will disappear on their own within a short time. Most often, their coloring becomes less intense by six months. As a rule, not a trace remains of them by two years. Red spots can also be short-term. For example, they can appear from strong crying or excessive stress of the baby. After a certain period they will completely disappear.
Nevus of Unna has the shape of a triangle and is located in the occipital part. However, cases of such manifestations on the bridge of the nose or eyelids have also been recorded. Most often, such a formation can be detected if the fetus had problems with blood circulation during intrauterine development. Education will take place without additional medical assistance a few months after the baby is born.
A fiery nevus has a purplish-red color. It can appear on any part of the baby's body. Parents are very worried about this manifestation, because the structure can rise greatly above the baby’s skin. The nevus is dense and has easily palpable edges. Such characteristics are directly related to the nature of its formation. This type appears due to the expansion of capillaries during childbirth. It remains on the baby's skin for life. If such a formation is detected in infants, then they will certainly be sent for a consultation with a neurologist. Most often, the manifestation is a symptom of disorders in the brain. A laser beam is used to remove wine stains. After this application, you will additionally need to use special waterproof concealer creams.
A vascular formation appears on the baby’s skin if there are capillaries in the upper layers of the epithelium. This nevus has a flat structure. Its shape and edges cannot be felt. It does not require additional drug or surgical treatment and resolves without external intervention. The tumor can appear in any part of the human body, but most often it is located on the face. The red spot may later change color or size. The doctor should monitor the changes.
Among congenital pathologies, capillary hemangioma occupies a special place. It manifests itself against the background of negative changes in blood vessels that occur in the baby’s body. Such formation can be seen even during an ultrasound. That is why parents, as a rule, are aware of such negative changes in the skin. Red spots will remain on the baby's skin for life. They can be removed through routine cosmetic surgery.
Cavernous hemangioma is considered a dangerous phenomenon on the skin of an infant. This is a tumor that is benign in nature. It is located deep in the skin, so it is practically untreatable. The formation should be monitored by a doctor, because it can begin to negatively affect internal organs. Hemangioma is most often located on the baby’s forehead. In this case, there is no particular danger in it. However, if the formation, for example, is located on the eyelids or ears, then it can negatively affect vision or hearing.
As capillary pathology resolves, mixed hemangioma may occur. It connects the tumor and nerve tissue. The disease is dangerous, so children with it must be observed in special preventive institutions.
A hematoma appears against the background of a high load that is placed on the fetus during labor. Most often they form on the head and sometimes have a blue tint. Education cannot negatively affect the health of the baby and takes place without external participation within a few days. Drug treatment is not required in this case.

Flame nevus

How to get rid of formations?

The doctor may recommend one of the methods for removing nevi, depending on the size and condition of the formation, as well as the health of the baby:

Use of pharmaceuticals

Special medications are injected into the mole tissue to promote the death of overgrown cells. No anesthesia is required, but is not suitable in case of allergy to the active substances of the drug.

Using a laser

Excision of pathological tissues with a laser beam. It is quick and painless, but the procedure is not always possible for hard-to-reach areas.

Cryotherapy

Exposure of the mole to low temperatures. Suitable for eliminating small nevi.