Port Wine Stain

Port wine stain is a birthmark in which blood vessels become swollen and creates reddish or deep purple marks on the body. This type of birthmark is very common to infants giving it 3 out of 1000. Early stage of port wine stain consists of pinkish color but as the child grows older, a deep purple color will appear.

Normally port wine stains are plain, flat and pinkish in color but in some other cases, it can cause deformation and intense skin discoloration. People who suffer this type of birthmark have social and emotional problems due to their appearance. Port wine stains commonly exist on the face but can also be seen on other parts of the body.

Cause of port wine stain:

Port wine stain is an inborn skin deficiency that involves the inflammation of blood vessels causing skin discoloration. This type of birthmark is not fatal but doesn’t exempt the person from being noticed in public.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis of port wine stain can be done by a doctor by just merely looking at the skin. This type of birthmark sometimes presents a very unusual characteristic that may need to be biopsied. If it proves to be of the severe type, treatment of this may vary.

Treatment: 

Treatment of port wine stains includes radiation, freezing, surgery and tattoos. The most effective however is the laser treatment because of its effective ability to destroy the blood vessels without damaging the skin.. There are different types of laser treatment that can be used in accordance of the age of the patient. Stains that appear on the part of the face are also easier to remove than those that appear on the arms, legs and other parts of the body. Early treatment proves to heal and diminish faster than those that are treated on the later part.

A port wine stain is a vascular birthmark that is characterized by a skin discoloration that can appear on any part of the skin. This skin discoloration can range from pinkish to deep purple. It is common on new born babies and can develop as they grow older.

Treatment is possible where port wine stains are concern. They can be done through laser treatment, surgery and radiation. A child should not suffer from the burdens of being stared at, not when there are options to take it off. This unique and colorful birthmark only makes them different where physical appearance is concern otherwise, normal activities of a child should not be hindered by this type of skin deficiency.

Helping your kid cope with this skin deficiency will likely lead to accepting more of it rather than despise having it. Port stain wine can sometimes get dry. Make sure to moisturize and keep the area clean to prevent it from scaling. If the port wine stain starts to bleed, itch or hurt, consult your doctor as this may be reacting to certain elements. Like any open wound, if the stain starts to bleed, make sure to clean it thoroughly with soap and water.

If your kid has this type of birthmark, make sure to help them in any way you can. Be open about it as there will be times people starts to stare at them. Kids are very vulnerable especially on things that they permanently carry. Make sure to remind them that it is not contagious and there is nothing to worry about having a port wine stain. Any port wine stain or birthmark for that matter doesn’t make them any different from other kids. Be very understanding and open when your kid asks more about their birthmark.

Port wine stains are caused by inflamed blood vessels that were not properly developed during birth. Imagine if you have a torn ligament and the nerves on that part of your body is not getting enough blood supply, that portion turn purplish. This is what port wine stain looks like.

Treatment: 

• Laser Treatment: Although most port wine stains are light, small and hard to see, some of these develop as the child grows older. During this type and especially if the birthmark appears on their face, it is normal that the child will feel uncompetitive and literally takes a toll on their daily activities. Laser treatment has provided a painless and effective way to treat port wine stains through the years.
  • This type of birthmark grows on almost every part of the body and can be often times seen on the part of the face. The easiest part to treat is the one that grows on the part of the face.
• Surgery: Surgery is done when the port wine stain is progressive and becoming darker than its normal color. During this time, a different type of laser treatment can be done or a series of surgery to properly remove the stain.

 Ways to conceal a port stain wine: 

• Tattooing: tattooing is most adult people do. They prefer to add art on the stain or plain plastic surgery to totally conceal it. Tattooing is done when the birthmark is located on other parts of the body aside from the face.
  • Most people are content with their port wine stain and have learned to live with it day by day. Artistic people do otherwise and still try to conceal it.
• Makeup: Makeup is commonly done when the stain is right in the face. It helps lighten the birthmark and makes it appear normally.

Port wine stains are characterized by pinkish skin discoloration that are common on newborn babies. Also known naevus flammeus, this type of birthmark is often seen on the face but can also appear on other parts of the body such as the hands and legs. It can also crawl and appear at the back near the hips.

Port wine stains are treatable through laser and surgery. An adult person who chooses to conceal this birthmark sometimes resort to tattooing the affected area or conceal it with makeup. Laser treatment is known to be the most effective among port wine stain treatment because of its effective ability to diminish skin discoloration. It is also safe on kids and treatment is normally successful.

Upon laser treatment, the best thing you can do is to keep a keen observation on recurrences. At the first sign of recurrence, it is advisable to do another 2 sessions of laser treatment to make sure you hold out its progress and appearance. Laser therapy does not hurt, as this is also used to treat kids, a simple anesthetic spray can help them relax during the procedure. It is also safe and effective in diminishing the color without actually damaging the skin.

Port wine stains are notably destructive when it comes to physical appearance. People who suffer from this type of skin deficiency shy away normally from the public. This is their common trait especially if the birthmark appears on the exposed body part such as the face.

Port wine stains are not contagious and fatal. In fact it is a simple birthmark that grows as part of your skin. Some are just comfortable having them; however, there are those that are called progressive port wine stain that tends to darken, become rough instead of flat. If these symptoms appear, see your doctor.