These marks are thought to be caused by a localized increase in melanocytes as a baby grows in the womb. Melanocytes are the skin cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its color. A nevus has an increased amount of melanocytes. The condition is thought to be caused by a gene defect.
Sometimes, they are called "salmon patch" marks, "stork bites" (when located on back of the neck) and "angel kisses" (when they're between the eyebrows). Nevus simplex birthmarks usually will go away on their own by the time your baby is a toddler.
Causes of birthmarks
The occurrence of birthmarks may be inherited. Some marks may be similar to marks on other family members, but most are not. Red birthmarks are caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels. Blue or brown birthmarks are caused by pigment cells (melanocytes).
Cancer. The main non-cosmetic reason patients come to us for nevi removal is the risk of cancer. Irregular or abnormal nevi are at a greater risk of turning into various forms of skin cancer. Some of these are quite aggressive and can spread quickly to other areas of the body.
A spot that is present on the skin at birth or that appears shortly thereafter is called a birthmark. Birthmarks can be red, purple, brown or black. They can be large and small. Pigmented birthmarks include moles (congenital nevi), mongolian spots and café au lait spots.
Can a dysplastic nevus turn into melanoma? Only rarely does a dysplastic nevus turn into melanoma (1, 3). However, dysplastic nevi are a risk factor for developing melanoma, and the more dysplastic nevi a person has, the greater their risk of developing melanoma (1, 3).
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.
Talk to your doctor about any change in the color or size of a mole or if itching, pain, bleeding or inflammation develops. Moles (nevi) are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells (melanocytes).
Causes. Congenital nevi are thought to be caused by a genetic mutation, called a sporadic mutation, which develops randomly as a baby grows in the womb. The condition is not inherited.
Large congenital melanocytic nevi are associated with an increased risk for developing cutaneous melanoma, leptomeningeal melanoma, neurocutaneous melanocytosis, malformations of the brain, and, rarely, rhabdomyosarcoma and liposarcoma.
Most birthmarks form by chance alone and are not linked to other medical problems. Some specific types of birthmarks, however, can be part of a larger collection of problems called a syndrome. Birthmarks are not caused by anything that mothers did or didn't do while pregnant, nor are they caused by birth trauma.
Different types of birthmarks are made up of different types of cells. Most birthmarks, such as the common port wine stains and strawberry marks, carry no risk of developing into a cancer. But a very rare type, called a giant congenital melanocytic naevus, can develop into a melanoma if it is larger than 20cm.
Café-au-lait spots are light to dark brown pigmented birthmarks that commonly appear on a newborn's skin. Spots can change in size and number over time. More than six café-au-lait spots can be a sign of an underlying genetic condition like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
Nevi that develop during your lifetime are probably harmless, too. However, your healthcare provider will want to monitor eye freckles during your eye exams. Some of them have the potential to turn into cancer (melanoma). Usually, you'll only have a nevus in one eye.
It is present at birth or appears in the first year of life. A giant congenital nevus is smaller in infants and children, but it usually continues to grow as the child grows. A giant pigmented nevus is larger than 15 inches (40 centimeters) once it stops growing.
A common mole (nevus) is a small growth on the skin that is usually pink, tan, or brown and has a distinct edge. A dysplastic nevus is often large and does not have a round or oval shape or a distinct edge. It may have a mixture of pink, tan, or brown shades.
Listen to pronunciation. (NEE-vus) A benign (not cancer) growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes (cells that make a substance called melanin, which gives color to skin and eyes). A nevus is usually dark and may be raised from the skin. Also called mole.
There may be an association between exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and developing nevi. Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV light is always recommended.
The formation of nevi is modulated by diverse factors, including pigmentation, genetic risk factors, and environmental sun exposure.
Stage 1: the central part is brown. Stage 2: the central part of the lesion becomes depigmented to form a pinkish raised lesion or papule. Stage 3: the papule regresses and the central area remains colorless. Stage 4: repigmentation progresses to transform the earlier location of the nevus into ordinary skin.
Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.
Salmon patches (also called stork bites, angel kisses, or macular stains) are the most common type of birthmark.
For example, some common people who disguised themselves as royalty, aka pretenders to the Russian throne, took power in the 17th through 19th centuries by using birthmarks as proof of their "royal blood.” People at that time believed that royals were born with markings on their skin that indicated royal status, ...
In most cases, birthmarks don't mean anything specific, but are simply physical characteristics. They're not usually associated with any particular medical or psychological condition.