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Causes of Birthmarks

Birthmarks, irregularities in a baby's skin that are present at birth, are usually vascular or pigmented, according to MedlinePlus. Vascular birthmarks form as the result of blood vessels that develop incorrectly. Pigmented birthmarks are clusters of colored pigment cells, which can vary from tan to black. The medical community is unsure why some birthmarks form, but heredity sometimes plays a part.

  1. Port Wine Stains

    • Port wine stains, capillary malformations, are large, dark pink or purple areas of skin that darken with age and might become lumpy. This birthmark usually appears on the face, though it can be anywhere on the body, and it requires treatment to diminish in appearance. When a port wine stain is located on the forehead and upper eyelid, it may be a sign---though this is unlikely---of Sturge Weber Syndrome, based on information from the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service; this condition might indicate abnormalities in the eye or brain. Port wine stains on other areas of the body, such as a leg, could indicate Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, which causes the bones and tissue in the leg close to the birthmark to grow larger than the other limb.

    Telangiectatic Nevus

    • Telangiectatic nevus, often referred to as a stork bite when it's on the back of the neck, and an angel's kiss when on the face, are slightly red areas of skin. This birthmark is caused by the expansion of capillaries, the tiny blood vessels in the skin. Angel's kisses generally disappear after a couple of years, though they might reappear, and stork bites are usually permanent, indicates Medical News Today.

    Millia

    • Millia are tiny lumps that appear on the nose, cheeks and chin of a newborn. Sometimes called milk spots, this birthmark is caused by the blockage of pores in the baby's face, notes Children, Youth and Women's Health Service. Millia might develop because of immature glands draining through the pores, and it also can appear on a baby's gums and palate. When millia appears in the mouth, it's called Epstein's pearls. After a few weeks, millia normally disappears, but it might take a couple of months before it completely clears up.

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