Babies born with birthmarks

Birthmarks are common

About a third of babies are born with a birthmark of some kind. The most common type is a stork mark (pictured), also known as a salmon patch or angel kiss. This is a pale pink patch on your baby's face or neck, which may appear more red when she cries. Stork marks usually disappear within six months.

Most birthmarks are harmless and will disappear on their own, though some can be a sign of a condition that needs treatment. If your baby has a birthmark, or any unexplained bumps or coloring on her skin, ask your GP to take a look.

Nevus simplex

Nevus simplex are flat pink or red birthmarks that up to 80% of babies are born with. They are collections of small, red blood vessels called capillaries. Often, these marks are located on the eyelids, forehead, back of neck, top of head, under the nose, and lower back.

Sometimes, they are called "salmon patch" marks, "stork bites" (when located on back of the neck) and "angel kisses" (when they're between the eyebrows).

Nevus simplex birthmarks usually will go away on their own by the time your baby is a toddler. Do not be alarmed if the birthmark gets darker when your baby becomes more emotional or active—this is normal.

Most nevus simples are totally harmless and do not need treatment. But be sure to talk with your pediatrician if they are large or located in unexpected areas.

Infantile Hemangiomas

These benign growths, which usually appear in the first few weeks of life, are made of extra blood vessels in the skin. Infantile hemangiomas are fairly common--found in up to 5% o

f infants. They usually grow rapidly, and then gradually shrink and fade. If they form near the top of the skin, they are red (and sometimes called "strawberry marks"). Deeper in the skin, they may look blue or purple, like bruises.

Infantile hemangiomas grow most quickly in the first 5-7 weeks of life, so it is important to talk to your pediatrician about them early. Some hemangiomas may be associated with certain health problems and require additional testing and/or treatment. Safe treatments are available today for problem hemangiomas. But these treatments usually work best when started shortly after these birthmarks form--generally by around 1 month age. Talk with your pediatrician if you think your baby may have an infantile hemangioma.

Pigmented Baby Birthmarks—Brown & Grey

Brown and grey birthmarks may be made of extra melanocytes—the cells that produce pigment

(color) in the skin. Pigmented birthmarks can look and behave differently from each other. Some are harmless, but others can come with health problems for your baby.

Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (Moles)

Congenital melanocytic nevi are commonly called moles. They can be present at birth or appear during the first year of life. These birthmarks are common, found in 1-3% of newborns. Congenital nevi can look very different from each other. Most are brown, but they may also have shades of pink, red, or black. Sometimes they have bumps or hair, and they may become rough or raised. Most congenital melanocytic nevi are harmless and usually do not require treatment or removal. Many dermatologists and pediatric dermatologist simply monitor them at well-child visits. They can also tell you what changes you should watch for in your child's birthmark.

A nevi usually grows larger as your child grows, but not quickly. They are classified based on their size: small, medium and large/giant nevi. Large and giant nevi may have a higher risk for a type of skin cancer, melanoma, compared to small congenital nevi or other moles that appear later in life. It's important for all children, but especially those with this type of birthmark, to wear sun protection outdoors.

A child with more than one congenital melanocytic nevus always needs to be evaluated by his or her pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist. Having more than one congenital nevus at birth may be related to problems with the brain and spinal cord. Your doctor may recommend a scan of these areas in this case, but this is extremely rare.

Keep in mind that:

Most birthmarks are harmless and many fade completely over time. Some, such as port-wine stains, are permanent and may even occur on the face. These can be removed using treatment such as laser therapy. Treatments to remove birthmarks are often most effective when started during infancy.