Birthmarks
What are birthmarks?
Birthmarks get their name for one simple reason: They are marks that are present on the skin of a lot of newborn babies. A baby can develop birthmarks either before he or she is born or soon after birth, they can be brown, tan, blue, pink or red. The most common are 'coffee-cream spots' -- permanent dark or light brown flat patches which occasionally appear in clusters. About 10% of all babies have some kind of vascular birthmark which consists of blood vessels bunched together under the skin. Hemangiomas and port wine stains are much less common but much more severe vascular birthmarks.
One of the most common birthmarks is found on the back of the neck (where they are called 'stork bites') or between the eyebrows (where they are known as 'angel's kisses') These types of birthmarks are also known as 'salmon patches'. Usually these birthmarks disappear within the first few weeks or months of life. Other kinds of birthmarks are more permanent.
Most birthmarks are harmless. Nevertheless you should have your doctor check any birthmarks or moles you are worried about, especially large moles known as pigmented naevi, since these are more likely to become cancerous than ordinary moles.