As healthy adults, we’re all pretty much familiar with the skin blemishes that have been on our skin since as far back as we can remember. But have you ever wondered about the origin of the birthmarks themselves; why or why not we might have them? We came across an article posted by Woman’s Day Magazine that offered a somewhat more in-depth take on the subject, and thought we’d summarize it here for your edification.
According to Woman’s Day, the type of birthmark(s) we are born with, (either vascular or pigmented) for those who are born with them, may depend upon what we go through biologically during the gestation period. As with the majority of all skin blemishes, moles and the like, birthmarks are not usually accompanied by health concerns. Usually, but not always. So, just as with themselves, parents who notice any changes to their children’s birthmarks should speak to their doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible.*
Any Visible Changes in Size or Color Need to Be Seen By a Specialist
Elevated melanin levels are the frequent source of pigmented birthmarks, and most dissipate by a person’s teen years.*
Extended capillaries are the usual source of vascular birthmarks, which occur in nearly 50% of us and mostly dissipate within a year and a half.*
Strawberry-looking infantile hemangiomas are benign, and mostly dissipate within two years. Although a small fraction of them can become issues. Once again, any changes should be brought to your doctor’s attention.*
Finally, we have the familiar port wine birthmark, an upraised blemish that’s visible on the skin in its namesake color. You may notice a pattern here when you learn that these too are often harmless. Though the article does go on to state that in some cases they could be a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome.*
*Source article credit: Womansday.com
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