If you notice a pink or red stained birthmark, like the colour of wine on a baby, it is known as a port-wine stain. On seeing such a mark, parents tend to get apprehensive and make different assumptions about the same. The common questions that run through the minds of the parents are – “Are these stains harmful or harmless?”, “Could they be treated or not?”…well, worry not! All your fears will be put to rest once you read this.
Port-wine stains in newborns (nevus flammeus) is a discolouration of skin to pink, red, or purple colour. These marks are present from birth or occur shortly after birth. Port-wine stains are explained as vascular which cannot be left unattended always, as sometimes they may indicate some severe disorders. Unlike other birthmarks, port-wine stains will not disappear or fade with time. By the time your kids turn teenage, these stains may thicken and form a lump causing social trauma.
About 0.3% of babies may have a port-wine stain, which means 1 in every 300 newborns may have a port-wine stain. This ratio concludes that port-wine stain is a common occurrence. They are not slanted towards any gender and may occur in boys and girls proportionally.
A port-wine stain can occur on any area of the skin. Mostly they occur on the face and neck. Commonly it is detected on one side of the body or appear irregular. It is rare that it would occur on both sides of the body or is spread evenly across the body.
A port-wine stain looks very similar to vascular birthmarks, also known as strawberry marks. Initially, this mark is thin. It may be negligibly small that its presence is unknown. However, with time, these marks may grow in proportion to the child’s growth. And when they develop as a lump, young adults become conscious of their personalities.
Science explains these unique marks as mutation of genes. When there is an absence of nerve supply to blood vessels, it causes blood to collect in the accumulated area. This results in the pink or reddish stains visible on the skin. This is also known as dilation due to the reduction of vascular tone.
Port-wine stains on babies are mostly red or pink, but there are other symptom and signs too that spread awareness of its uniqueness:
Port-wine stains are usually harmless, but sometimes they may be considered as birthmarks connected to other vascular disorders. If your child has a port-wine stain, you might want to take him to an ophthalmologist or a neurologist.
The risk and complications associated with port-wine stains are rare. In fact, there is no risk if the stain is small. However, there are a few risks related to port-wine stains which are mentioned below:
Port-wine stains on babies rarely lead to long-term problems. These complications arise only in certain individuals without any provocation or trigger. Following are the long-term problems associated with a port-wine stain that children may develop:
Port-wine stain removal for infants should be done at the earliest. Getting it examined within a year of birth will have better chances of successful treatment than waiting to treat at a later stage. The condition of port-wine only progresses with age and, early treatment detects any further disorders like Sturge-Weber syndrome and glaucoma on time. For treating a port-wine stain, these two treatments are recommended:
To avoid , use a moisturizer regularly, apply Vaseline if moisturizer does not help. If the part of skin where you have a port-wine stain is infected, bleeding, or injured, it is advised to clean the area properly and soon visit a doctor.
After the laser treatment, it is important to take care of the skin where your child had a port-wine stain. Adopt these ways to avoid complications later:
There is no way to prevent port-wine stains. However, if treated at the earliest, many associated problems will be prevented.
The most significant treatment is the parent’s positive attitude towards the stain. This will give a child the confidence to thrive the harshness of the outside world.