What are Mongolian spots
Mongolian spots (MS) are congenital birthmarks seen most commonly over the lumbosacral area. They are bluish-green to black in color and oval to irregular in shape. They are most commonly found in individuals of African or Asian ethnic background.
Does everyone have birthmarks
While birthmarks are common, not everyone has one. There's no way to predict if a child will have a birthmark or not. Not having a birthmark isn't a sign of a particular health condition or a cause for concern. Also, remember that many types of birthmarks fade as children get older.
Can you get rid of birthmarks
Laser therapy can safely remove or fade birthmarks by eliminating blood vessels or pigment just below the skin's surface. Medications can be injected directly into the area or taken orally to block blood flow to the birthmark (a process called embolization) and cause it to shrink or fade.
Can birthmarks get bigger
These birthmarks form when skin cells produce an excess of melanin, which is the body's natural pigment. Café-au-lait birthmarks generally don't fade and may get bigger or darker over time. Most are harmless.
Are Mongolian spots harmless
Mongolian spots are benign and are not associated with any conditions or illnesses. A newly born infant is also called a neonate. Mongolian blue spots are flat bluish- to bluish-gray skin markings commonly appearing at birth or shortly thereafter.
Do Mongolian spots ever go away
Also known as blue-gray spots and congenital dermal melanocytosis, the marks are often present at birth but may also appear during the first weeks of life. They usually disappear by the age of about 3–5 years, but they can remain into adulthood.
Which birthmark is rare
Venous Malformations
These birthmarks are very rare. A vascular malformation is a tangle of blood vessels that are usually bigger and more protruding than other blood vessel birthmarks. Venous malformations do not fade away over time and often need to be treated.
What is the myth behind birthmarks
Some cultures believe that a birthmark is associated with the mother's unfulfilled want or need, while others believe that certain foods that the mother eats or activities that she participates in can cause birthmarks to appear on her newborn.
Are birthmarks unhealthy
Most birthmarks are harmless but permanent. The only ones that fade with time are Mongolian spots and haemangiomas of infancy. Treatment may include: Haemangioma of infancy – sometimes, a strawberry mark will grow over an eye or may block one side of the nose, ulcerate or cause other problems.
Can birthmarks be harmful
Most birthmarks are not serious, and some go away on their own. Some stay the same or get worse as you get older. Usually birthmarks are only a concern for your appearance. But certain types can increase your risk of skin cancer.
When should I worry about birthmarks
See a GP if: you're worried about a birthmark. a birthmark is close to the eye, nose, or mouth. a birthmark has got bigger, darker or lumpier.
How do you know if a birthmark is cancerous
Use a hand-held mirror to look at areas that are hard to see. One part of a mole or birthmark doesn't match the other. The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
What causes the Mongolian spots
What Causes Mongolian Blue Spots Mongolian blue spots happen when pigment cells make melanin under the skin's surface. The reason the spots are blue is because of something called the Tyndall effect. The Tyndall effect involves the scattering of light as it passes through particles in its path.
What is the Mongolian spot myth
The Mongolian spot is referred to in Japanese asshirigaaoi, meaning to have a blue bottom, and is believed to be the consequence of coitus performed during pregnancy, or a mark made by the gods presiding over births.
Are Mongolian spots harmful
Mongolian spots are benign and are not associated with any conditions or illnesses. A newly born infant is also called a neonate. Mongolian blue spots are flat bluish- to bluish-gray skin markings commonly appearing at birth or shortly thereafter.
What are Mongolian spots caused by
Mongolian blue spots appear on the skin at or shortly after birth. The spots appear when melanocytes (cells that produce pigment, or melanin) remain in the deeper skin layer during embryonic development. What causes this to happen isn't known. Mongolian blue spots aren't related to an underlying health condition.
What is a royal birthmark
9) According to Bloch, belief in the royal birthmark–a mysterious mark on sovereigns' bodies indicating their royal status–was "one of the most lively superstitions in the Middle Ages," which gives "a deep insight into the popular mind." (
What’s the rarest birthmark
Port wine stain birthmarks are the rarest (less than 1 percent of people are born with them) and occur because the capillaries in the skin are wider than they should be. Dr. Kos says these birthmarks do not go away, and in fact, gradually, over the years, they usually darken and thicken.
What happens if a birthmark appears
Any mark that is present on the skin at birth, or that develops soon afterwards, is called a birthmark. They are common and many children have a mark of some sort. Most are harmless and some go away as the child grows. Occasionally, a birthmark may be a sign of other problems or diseases.
Are birthmarks healthy
Most are harmless and some go away as the child grows. Occasionally, a birthmark may be a sign of other problems or diseases. Check with your doctor if you are not sure, especially if the mark changes unexpectedly.
What are the signs of birthmarks
Other signs of birthmarks are:Abnormally dark or light skin.Growth of hair from pigmented skin.Skin lesion (area that is different from the skin around it)Skin lumps.Textured skin that can be smooth, flat, raised, or wrinkled.
What do cancerous birthmarks look like
Use a hand-held mirror to look at areas that are hard to see. One part of a mole or birthmark doesn't match the other. The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
What are the five warning signs of melanoma
The "ABCDE" rule is helpful in remembering the warning signs of melanoma:Asymmetry. The shape of one-half of the mole does not match the other.Border. The edges are ragged, notched, uneven, or blurred.Color. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present.Diameter.Evolving.
What are the warning signs of melanoma
Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of the mole. Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain. Change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
How do you get rid of Mongolian blue spots
No treatment is needed or recommended. The spots do not cause any medical complications. The discolouration often fades within the first years of life, and the birthmarks have usually gone once the child reaches adolescence.
