Angel’s kisses, stork bites, strawberries, port wine or café au lait… they are known by a number of nicknames, but they all describe the birthmarks that affect more than 10% of babies born. What are the different kinds, and what does a normal birthmark look like?

“Birthmarks are areas of discolored or raised skin that are present at birth or within a few weeks of birth,” according to John Hopkins Health. “Birthmarks are made up of abnormal pigment cells or blood vessels. Although the cause of birthmarks isn’t known, most of them are harmless and don’t need treatment.”

There are two types of birthmarks: vascular (when blood vessels don’t form correctly) and pigmented (caused by too many cells that cause pigment in skin), according to Nemours KidsHealth.

“For the most part, birthmarks are harmless, and some may fade or disappear over time even without treatment,” according to New York University-Langone Health. “Rarely, some types of birthmarks may be signs of a more serious medical condition. This is more likely if birthmarks develop in large numbers or in clusters.”

Nemours KidsHealth lists the most common vascular birthmarks as macular stains, hemangiomas and port-wine stains.

Vascular birthmarks

Macular stains

According to Nemours KidsHealth, these faint red birthmarks are also called “salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites.” Additionally, they “are the most common type of vascular birthmark.” They can typically be found “on the forehead or eyelids; the back of the neck; or on the nose, upper lip, or back of the head. Most often they fade on their own by the time a child is one to two years old, although some last into adulthood.”

Hemangiomas

These are often described as “strawberry marks.” They “can be slightly raised and bright red, and usually won’t be visible until a few days or weeks after a baby is born,” according to Nemours KidsHealth. “Hemangiomas grow quickly during the first 6 months or so of life, then usually shrink and disappear by the time a child is 5 to 10 years old.” Although most are found on the head and neck, there may need to be medical interventions if “they interfere with sight, feeding, breathing, or other body functions.”

Port-wine stains

Port-wine stains “look like wine was spilled on an area of the body,” according to Nemours KidsHealth. These are “most often on the face, neck, arms or legs.” These birthmarks “tend to darken over time, and do not go away on their own. Doctors will watch ones near the eye to make sure they don’t cause problems. When port-wine stains involve certain parts of the face, other tests (such as an MRI) might be needed.”

Pigmented birthmarks

Café-au-Lait spots

According to New York University-Langone Health, “Most café-au-lait spots appear well after a child is born.” They “vary in size and are often round or oval in shape.” These birthmarks are mostly harmless, and they “generally don’t fade and may get bigger or darker over time. The presence of 6 or more… may be linked to a genetic medical condition called neurofibromatosis type 1.” They recommend consulting your pediatrician if your child has this condition.

Mongolian spots

“These flat, bluish-gray patches are often found on the lower back or buttocks,” according to Nemours KidsHealth. “They are most common on darker skin and usually fade… by school age without treatment.”

Congenital Nevi

These are moles present at birth which will last throughout their lives. “Although the risk is still low, large or giant congenital nevi are more likely to develop into skin cancer… later in life,” according to Nemours KidsHealth. Additionally, “smaller congenital nevi may have a slight increase in risk. Moles can be tan, brown, or black; flat or raised; and may have hair growing out of them.”

Ultimately, parents should consult with pediatricians to guide them to specialists who can advise on the best course of action for birthmarks that interfere with any of your child’s normal functioning, impose a risk to future health or create a severe cosmetic issue. Visit the American Academy of Dermatology Association or the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation for more resources or information.

Related articles

Are Pacifiers Good For Babies?

What To Do When Your Baby Has a Cough

Baby Hiccups: Understanding This Common Condition