Contents
Salmon marks, ephemeral stains
Present from birth on the forehead, eyelids or neck, these spots on the surface of the skin and also called “stork bites” or “kisses of the angels”, are due to a proliferation of small vessels. They are especially noticed when the baby cries or makes an effort. They gradually fade and disappear spontaneously before the age of 3. On the other hand, the spots located on the nape of the neck persist, but will soon be buried under the hair.
“Strawberries”, or infant hemangiomas
These spots appear in the days following birth, especially on the scalp, neck and back. No treatment is necessary, you just need to be patient. The “strawberry”, also called angiome tubéreux, will develop for a few months, then stabilize around the age of 1 year, before beginning a slow regression. Gradually, it whitens, flattens out and eventually disappears completely, usually before entering primary school. On the other hand, if the hemangioma is located on the eyelids, the tip of the nose or the lips, consult a dermatologist who will undoubtedly suggest that you remove it. Depending on the case, he will choose a treatment with high dose corticosteroids for several weeks or prefer surgery.
Mongoloid spots, or blue spots
More present in babies with black, dull skin, or in babies of Asian origin, the Mongoloid spot, or Mongolian blue spot, looks a bit like a bruise (hematoma). It is arguably the most common birthmark in babies of African descent. Due to an excess of melanin, this type of birthmark usually appears on the buttocks, lower back, thighs or even on the shoulders. Without danger, mongoloid spot appears in the first weeks of a baby’s life and usually goes away around 2 or 3 years.
Dark brown “café au lait” skin spots (pigmentary nevi)
The so-called “café au lait” skin spots are not serious, but permanent. However, if your child is over six, see a dermatologist. Similar to large moles, the dark brown spots are sometimes covered with hair. They are generally harmless. So there is no reason to remove them unless they are very unsightly. Especially since the surgical intervention, under general anesthesia, always involves a risk. Regular monitoring is nevertheless recommended, because in about 5% of cases, they can develop into a malignant tumor.
“Wine stains” on the skin
Wine stains are completely benign, with the exception of those on the forehead or eyelids which may be accompanied by other abnormalities. The plane angioma, of its scientific name, is due to malformations of tiny capillary vessels, so it will not go away on its own and will even grow with the child. If it is very extensive or located on the face, for example, it may be better to remove it.
Giant spots (giant congenital nevi), to watch out for
Very rare, these dark brown spots measure more than twenty centimeters in diameter. In young children, they have very little risk of degenerating, so the problem is essentially aesthetic. The younger the child, the more beautiful the scar will be, so there is no need to waste time if surgery is necessary.
Laser: the alternative to surgery
Laser treatment is not miraculous, but in a number of cases it helps, from the age of 8 months, and under general anesthesia, to get fairly good results on birthmarks. For particularly unsightly hemangiomas located on the eyelids, the tip of the nose or the lips, the number of sessions varies according to the size and depth of the “strawberry”. For “café au lait” spots on the face, two or three sessions spread over a year are generally sufficient. To significantly reduce wine stains, count five or six half-hour sessions spread over one or two years.