Facts about port wine stains

It is caused by the blood vessel’s lack of nerve fibers  that makes the skin discolor into something that looks like wine. This abnormal discoloration of the skin is mostly seen on the face and the back of the neck but can also spread on other parts of the body. 3 out of 1000 babies are infected by this skin abnormality. It is commonly rare and not fatal.

Port wine stains are normally not related to any other problems however, if you’re suffering from progressive birthmark it can cause bumps on the skin instead of the plain and flat map – like discoloration. It is also advisable to regularly check with your doctor if the birthmark is near or surrounding the eyes to prevent this from affecting your vision. There is no proven fact that your next child can get the same birth mark. In fact, port wine stain is not hereditary and can be acquired by any newly born baby.

Symptoms of port wine stain is of course the appearance of discolored part of the skin commonly found on the face, arms, thighs and the back of the neck. The color may vary from pink to red and even dark blue when the child becomes older. The appearance of port wine stain is there as soon as the child is born and will forever stay unless proper treatment is done. Early detection and treatment will lessen its risk of becoming progressive causing it to become darker in color and bumpy. When a port wine stain reaches this stage, there’s a possibility that it will be harder to treat it. The size of this birthmark can also vary and progresses as the child grows older. It will not remain on its normal size when the child was born, instead it will take up more as the skin stretches.

Early treatment on children should start at the age of 6 months. Although port wine stains are merely treatable, not all of it are successful as much as we want to. 80 percent of children who receive treatment can dramatically experience changes and intense diminished color, 10 percent will experience total absence of the stain and can live a normal life and the same percentage for those that don’t get any results or where treatment can’t be as effective. Laser has been the most common way of treating port wine stains and as been known to cause the least side effects. Anesthesia is only induced to relieve discomfort especially if you’re treating a child.

Laser has not only been the way of treating a port wine stain. A patient or the doctor can determine whether to go under laser treatment, surgery, freezing and even tattooing.

Home remedies after treatment may consist of putting ice packs or cold wash cloth on the area to relieve the skin from pain. If blistering or scaling appears, putting moisturizer will help or ask your doctor for specially designed ointments to help you relieve the skin.

Incoming search terms:

Be Sociable, Share!

Leave a Reply

*