One in three babies is born with a birthmark. These are neither painful nor harmful, although about one in a hundred will require medical treatment. If the birthmark is hidden from view, it is usually not a problem, but if it is on the face or neck, parents will often want to do their best to remove the mark, especially if the baby is a girl.
Types of birthmarks
- Naevi strawberry brands – These usually appear at 2 or 3 weeks of age, are red in color and may feel lumpy. They often grow in size for 6-9 months.
- Stork stings – also called “salmon patch”, a pink color, lies on the skin and does not grow. Stork bites usually disappear in the first two years.
- Port wine stains – as the name suggests, these markings are purple-red in color and can cover quite a large area.
Treatment
Stork bites do not require treatment. Strawberry marks are usually treated with steroid cream or, in extreme cases, laser. The only treatment for port wine brands is laser.
Early treatment is more successful. Laser treatment is best started at the age of two and can take up to six treatments spread over three years.