What Is a Birthmark?
A birthmark is a persistent mark anywhere on the skin, visible at birth or shortly thereafter (in weeks) (1). It represents local accumulation of skin pigment, vessels overgrowth, or other local skin abnormality. Some birthmarks fade, partially or completely, in few years, but other persist for life and may even become more pronounced with time.
Most of birthmarks are painless and harmless, but some may cause complications, like pressure on other organs, they may be connected with congenital diseases, or, rarely, may develop into a cancer, so they allways have to be checked by a doctor.
Pigmented skin marks that are not birthmarks may be a result of trauma.
Treatment is indicated in large lesions, or where it disturbs function of other organs. Treatment possibilities:
Surgical removal
Compression and massage
Laser therapy
Cryotherapy – freezing of the lesion
Injection of steroids or hardening substances
X-ray irradiation
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