 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Birthmarks
Birthmarks occur where there is an over-abundance of a particular component of normal skinsuch as tiny blood vessels (capillaries) or pigment cells.The cause of this local condition is unknown.
The flat, pink birthmarks commonly seen on theforehead, eyelids, back of the neck, and above the bridgeof the nose are called capillary hemangiomas, alsoknown as "stork bites" or "salmon patches." These areseen in about 50 percent of newborns. Eyelid patcheswill disappear by three to six months of age, while thoseon the neck will fade but may last for years.
Areas of dark or bluish gray pigmentation knownas Mongolian spots are com-mon on the low back and buttocks of dark-skinnednewborns, although these marks may be found in allracial and ethnic groups. These marks vary greatly insize and shape and usually disappear by two to threeyears of age.
A more permanent type of birthmark is the café anbait spot, a light brown flat patch that can occur any-where on the body. While some are present at birth, oth-ers may appear later in life. While these markings arebenign, the presence of six or more of them measuringmore than 15 mm (about 5/8 inch) in diameter may in-dicate a more serious problem known as neurofibro-matosis (see neurofibromatosis).
One or more dark brown, black, or blue-black spotsknown as nevi, which contain large numbers of pig-mented cells, may be seen at birth in about one in onehundred Caucasian infants. While the vast majority ofthese spots never cause any trouble, on rare occasion(usually in adolescence or even later in adulthood), oneor more may transform into a dangerous type of skincancer called a malignant melanoma. You should be-come familiar with the appearance of arty nevi on yourchild's skin and watch in particular for any of the fol-lowing warning signs: significant change in size; crust-ing, oozing, or bleeding; the development of an irregularborder or color pattern; and change from a flat to araised or rough contour. Should any of these changes de-velop, ask your child's doctor or a dermatologist to ex-amine the area.
A more troublesome (but also uncommon) b.mark is the giant pigmented nevus, an irregular r,dark brown patch over four inches in diameter. IIthis covers a large area of the lower trunk, it is call"bathing trunk nevus." At a microscopic level thstructurally similar to the common moles (or juncfinevi), which become more common and widespover the skin later in life. Unfortunately, giant pigmenevi are much more likely than the smaller congepigmented nevi to transform into malignmelanomas. This change can occur during infancyany time later in life. For this reason a consultationa dermatologist or plastic surgeon may be recommeiat an early age.
Other Health Care Articles:
Abdominal Discomfort | Abdominal Pain Diagnosis | About Epilepsy | About Leukemia | Acetaminophen | Acne | Acne Treatment | Acne Vulgaris | Acute Adrenal Crisis | Acute Epiglottitis | Acute Glomerulonephritis | Acute Mastoiditis | Acute Nephritis | Acute Otitis Media | Acute Pharyngitis | Addison's Disease | ADHD | ADHD Diet | ADHD Medications | ADHD Symptoms | ADHD Treatment | Adrenal Gland Disorders | Adrenal Glands | Adrenal Medulla Secretes | Adrenal System | Adrenocortical Hyperfunction | Aggressive Behavior in Children | Agranulocytosis | Aids Facts | A List of Vitamins | Allergen | Allergic Conjunctivitis | Allergic Reactions | Allergic Rhinitis | Allergy Diagnosis | Allergy Information | Allergy Symptoms | Allergy Test | Altitude Sickness | Alzheimer Symptoms | Anal Problems | Animal Bites | Ankylosing Spondylitis Excruciating Pain | Antibiotics | Aphasia Definition | Appendicitis | Asbestos Lung Cancer | Asthma | Asthma Prevention | Asthma Symptoms | Asthma Treatment | Athlete's Foot | Autism | Baldness Treatment | Battered Child Syndrome | Bedwetting | Bedwetting Alarm | Bedwetting Drug | Bell's Palsy | Bilirubin | Birthmarks | Blood Cancers | Body Odor | Bone Fracture First Aid | Bone Fractures | Bone Tumor | Breathholding Spells | Bronchiectasis Respiratory Disorder | Bronchiolitis | Burn Care | Calluses | Candidiasis | Can You Give Me the Steps on Performing CPR | Carbohydrates | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | Cat Scratch Disease | Causes of Amenorrhea | Causes of Anaemia | Causes of Baldness | Causes of Fainting | Causes of Heart Disease | Causes of Kidney Disease | Causes of Vertigo | Cerebral Abscess | Cerebral Arteriosclerosis | Chickenpox | Childblains | Childhood Infectious Disease | Choking First Aid | Cholesterol | Chronic Appendicitis | Chronic Halitosis | Chroniclaryngitis | Chronic Leukemia | Cigarette Smoking | Cirrhosis of the Liver | Cluster Headaches | Coeliac Disease | Colds | Cold Sores | Colic | Colon Cancer | Coma | Common Cold | Congenital Abnormality | Congenital Defects | Congenital Heart Disease | Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis | Constipation | Corneal Abrasion | Cornea Ulcers | Cot Death | Cradle Cap | Cretinism | Crippling Diseases | Cross Eyes | Croup | Crying | Cryptor Chidism | Curvature of the Spine | Deafness | Death by Drug Overdose | Deficiencies of Factors | Define Anaemia | Define Ear | Degenerative Joint Disorder | Dental Care | Depression | Diabetes Insipidus | Diabetes Mellitus | Diabetes Symptoms | Diabetes Treatment With Insulin | Diabetic Coma | Diabetic Problems | Diabetis Mellitus | Diagnosing ADHD | Diarrhea | Diet for Diabetics | Diphtheria | Dirt Eating | Dislocations of Bones | Disorders of the Skin | Diuretics | Diverticular Disease | Drooping Eyelids | Drug Rash | Drug Rherapy | Dry Skin | Dwarfism | Dysathria | Dyslexia | Dyspareunia | Ear Injuries | Ear Piercing Infections | Eighth Nerve Tumours | Electric Blanket Safety | Electric Shock | Electrocution | Encephalitis | Enlarged Prostate Gland | Enuresis | Epileptic Seizure | Esophagus Cancer | Exposure to the Cold | Subdural Haematoma | External Cardiac Compression | Eye | Eye Accidents | Eyebrows | Eye Care | Eye Cataracts | Eye Infection | Eye Injury | Eye Lashes | Eyelid Twitching | Eyes are Crooked | Facts about Blood | Febrile Convulsion | Febrile Seizures | Feminine Irritations | Fetal Alcohol Syndrome | Fever | Fibre | Fire Safety | First Aid At a Car Accident | First Aid Bleeding | First Aid Burn Care | First Aid Ear When Something Alive is in Your Ear | First Aid Eye | First Aid Fainting | First Aid For Dental Emergencies | First Aid in Drowning | First Aid Kit List | First Aid on Nose Bleed | Flu | Fontanelle | Food Allergy | Food and Vitamins | Food Poisoning | Food Poisoning Prevention | Food Poisoning Treatment | Food Transit in the Gut | Foot Bone Problem | Foreign Bodies | Foreign Bodies in the Nose | Foreign Body in Ear | Foreign Body in Esophagus | Foreign Body in Eye | Fractures | Freckles | Friedreich's Ataxia | Function and Structure of Eye | Function of Red Cells | Function of the Kidneys | Gall Bladder Stones | Gallstones | Gastritis | Gastrointestinal Infections | Gastrointestinal System | Genital Hygiene | German Measles | Get Rid of Eye Bag Now | Gigantism | Glands | Glandular Fever | Glaucoma | Glomerulonephritis | Glue Ear | Gonad | Gout | Granulated Eyelids | Haemangiomas | Haemolytic Anaemia | Haemophilia | Haemorrhage | Hair Transplants | Hare Lip | Hay Fever | Headache | Head Injury | Hearing Device | Heart Attack | Heart Beat | Heart Disease | Heart Failure | Heart Failure Symptoms | Heart Transplant | Heart Transplant Surgery | Hepatitis | Hepatitis B | Hermaproditism | Hernias | Herpes Infections | Hiccup | Highblood Pressure | Hirschprung Disease | HIV | Hoarness | Hodgkin's Disease | Home Safety | Hormones in the Human Body | How Does Blood Clot | How the Heart Works | How to Get Rid of a Bruise | How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair | How to Get Sleep | How to Prevent a Heart Attack | How to Recognise a Heart Attack | How to Stop Bedwetting | How to Treat Bee Stings | How to Treat Cuts | How to Treat Poisoning | Human Blood Volume | Human Hair | Human Intestines | Human Nose | Human Skeletal System | Hydrocephalus | Hydrocoele | Hydrotherapy | Hyperactivity | Hyperkeratosis | Hyperlipidaemia | Hypertension | Hyperthermia | Hyperthyroidism | Hypoglycaemia | Hypoparathyroidism | Hypoplastic Bones | Hypothermia | Hysterectomy | Impetigo | Infant Signs of Illness | Infectious Disease | Infectious Mononucleosis | Inflammatory Disease | Influenza | Information on Breathing How the Lungs Work | Inhaled Foreign Bodies | Inner Ear | Insect Bites | Intertrigo | Intestinal Obstruction | Iritis | Iron | Irregular Menstrual Bleeding | Irritable Colon | Jaundice | Jealousy | Jet Lag | Joule Content of Various Foods | Juvenilearthritis | Kawasaki Disease | Keratoconus | Kidney Cancer | Kidney Donor | Kidney Transplant | Kidneytumor | Klinefeltersyndrome | Labyrinthitis | Lactation | Lactose Intolerance | Larnyxcancer | Laryngitis | Laxatives | Lead Poisoning in Children | Learning Difficulties | Leptospirosis | Leucocytosis | Leucopenia | Lice | Liver | Liver Infection | Liver Tumors | Loss of Consciousness | Low Blood Pressure Hypertension | Lung Collapse | Lyme Disease | Lymphadeopathy | Male Genital Problems | Male Hormone Therapy | Male Hypoganadism | Malfunctions Can Occur | Masturbation | Measles | Meniere Disease | Menieresyndrome | Meningitis | Menopause Information | Men Sex Problems | Menstrual Cycle Irregularities | Mental Retardation | Migraine | Miliaria | Moles | Mongolism | Monilial Infections | Mononucleosis | Motion Sickness | Mouth 2 Mouth Resuscitation | Mouth Care | Mucoviscidosis | Muscle Strain | Nail Care | Nephrotic Syndrome | Nerval System | Normal Blood Pressure | Nosebleed | Nursing Care Plan for Respiration | Obesity | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | Oesophagus Cancer | Optic Nerve Disease | Osteitis Deformans Paget Disease | Osteoarthritis | Osteomalacia | Osteomyelitis | Osteoporosis | Otic Barotrauma | Otitis Externa | Otitis Media | Otosclerosis | Outdoor Safety | Ovarian Tumours | Ovaries | Overactive Parathyroid Gland | Overactive Thyroid Gland | Overweight | Overweigh to Obesity | Pancreas | Pancreatitis | Paralyticleus | Parkinson's Disease | Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | Penis Erection | Peptic Ulcer | Perforated Peptic Ulcers | Pericarditis | Peritonsillar Abscess Quinsy | Phaeo Chromocytoma | Phenylkeyonuriapku | Piles | Pin Worm | Pituitary Disorders | Pituitary Gland | Pleurisy | Pneumoconiosis | Pneumonia | Pneumo Thorax | Poisoning | Poison Ivy | Poliomyelitis | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | Polycythaemia | Polyneuritism | Polyps of the Colon | Port Wine Stains | Premenstrual Syndrome | Prickly Heat Rash | Primary Amenorrhoea | Primary Dysmenorrhoea | Primary Hyperparathyroidism | Progestrone | Prolapse | Prostate Cancer | Psoriasis | Pulmonary Infection | Pulmonary Tuberculosis | Purpura | Pyloric Stenosis | Pyogenic Arthritis | Rabies | Reason to Lower and Improve Blood Lipid Levels | Reconstruction Surgery | Red Blood Cells | Red Splotches | Reduce Cholesterol | Refractive Error | Regional Ileitis | Renal Calculi | Renal Dialysis | Reproduction Cells | Restless Leg Syndrome | Retinal Blood Vessels | Retinal Detachment | Retroversion | Reye's Syndrome | Rheumatic Dever | Rheumatic Heart Disease | Rheumatoid Arthritis | Rheumatoid Arthritis and Exercise | Ring Worm | Risk Factors of Heart Disease | Rosacea | Roseola | Scabies | School Refusal | Sciatica | Scorpion Sting | Sebaceous Cysts | Seborrhoeic Dermatitis | Secondary Amenorrhoea | Secondary Dysmenorrhoea | Seizures | Seizure Treatment | Seminal Vesicle | Sickle Cell Anaemia | Sickle Cell Disease | Side Effect of Antiobiotic | Sinuses | Sinusitis | Skin Cancer | Skin Disease | Skin Inflammation | Skin Tumour | Smear Test | Snake Bites | Snoring | Sore Ears | Sore Eyes | Sore Throat | Spastics | Speech Defect | Spider Bite | Spina Bifida | Sprains and Strains | Sprue | Stammering Tongue | State of Shock | Steroid Abuse | Stingray Sting | Stomach | Stomach Cancer | Stomach Profusion | Stop Smoking | Stress Management Techniques | Stretch Marks | Stridor | Stroke | St Vitusdance | Stye | Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord | Subdural Haematoma | Subrachnoid Haemorrhage | Suffocation | Sunburn | Sweating | Sydenham Chorea | Syncopes | Syring Myelia | Teething | Tension Headaches | Tetanus | Thalassaemia | The Acquired Haemorrhagic Disorders | The Lymphocytes and Monocytes | The Nephron | Throat Disorder | Thrush | Thumb Sucking | Thymus Gland | Thyroid Cancer | Thyroid Gland | Thyroiditis | Tick Bites | Tics | Tonsil | Tonsilitis | Trachoma | Transient Ischemic Attacks | Travelling With Baby | Treating Skin Boils | Treating Specific Poisonings | Treatment For A Black Eye | Trichomonas | Tuberculosis | Tuberculosis of the Larynx | Tummy Lumps | Tummy Pain | Tummy Upset | Turner Syndrome | Ulcerative Colitis | Ulcers | Underactive Thyroid Gland | Underweight | Undescended Testes | Unwanted Hair | Urinary Tract | Urinary Tract Infection | Urinary Tract Infections | Urinary Tract Problem | Urticaria | Uterine Cancer Symptoms and Treatment | Uterus | Vaginal Infections | Varicose Eczema | Varicose Veins | Vertigo | Viral Skin Infections | Virilisation | Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Vitamin Needs | Vitamins | Volvulus | Vomiting | Von Willie Brand Syndrome | Warts | Wasp Sting Treatment | Water Accidents | Water Brash | Watery Eye | Wax and Foreign Objects | What are the Endocrine Glands | What is a Kilo Joule Diet | What is Angina | What is Asthma | What is Astigmatism | What to do in Emergency | White Blood Cells | Whooping Cough | Worming | Wound Care