If you or your child has a pink, red, or purple mark that never seems to go away, it's possible that this is a port-wine stain. A port-wine stain is something that individuals are born with, making it a type of birthmark. Here are a few key pieces of info to know about port-wine stains.
1. Port-Wine Stains Usually Aren't a Health Issue
In most cases, a port-wine stain isn't cause for alarm; it's simply the result of a genetic mutation that causes a portion of the skin to be a different color. However, in rare cases, this same genetic mutation can cause a condition known as Sturge-Weber syndrome. Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurological condition that can cause blindness, seizures, and mental disabilities.
It's important to understand that the port-wine stain doesn't cause Sturge-Weber syndrome, nor does it mean that an individual has Sturge-Weber syndrome. Rather, since the same gene is responsible for Sturge-Weber syndrome and port-wine stains, individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome typically have port-wine stains.
These stains can get irritated and itchy, but in most cases, moisturizer is sufficient to alleviate any feelings of discomfort.
2. Treatment Yields the Best Result When It's Started at a Young Age
It's possible to fade the appearance of a port-wine stain with laser treatments. If you decide to remove your or your child's stain, it's advisable to start the treatments as early as possible. Though you can treat a port-wine stain at any age, early treatment is the best option for fading the birthmark as much as possible with as minimal laser sessions.
As you get older, it's typical for a port-wine stain to get larger. It may also deepen in color and become more noticeable. This progression makes the mark harder to remove (though it's still possible with patience and regular laser treatments).
Your stain may develop bumpy, raised skin. This is caused by small blood vessels; these bumps can become irritated and cause the stain to bleed. You can also have these bumps removed via laser therapy.
3. Port-Wine Stains Can Appear Anywhere on the Body
A port-wine stain can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, head, legs, torso, and arms. Though these stains usually initially have a red appearance, the color can change over time into a maroon, pink, or reddish-pink hue. Changes in the color are no cause for alarm and don't indicate that there's anything wrong with the mark. The change in appearance is due to changes in the blood vessels that cause the port-wine stain.
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