1. Birthmarks Charles Caesar

2. Introduction  Birthmarks are blemishes on the skin that appear at or shortly after birth  About 80% of babies are both with birthmarks  There are many different kinds of birthmarks  There are a large number of myth’s surrounding their cause  Birthmarks are blemishes on the skin that appear at or shortly after birth  About 80% of babies are both with birthmarks  There are many different kinds of birthmarks  There are a large number of myth’s surrounding their cause

3. Cause  The cause of birthmarks is not fully understood  Possible cause: cells that belong in the mesoderm get displaced in the ectoderm.This leads to proliferation of blood vessels in the dermal and epidermal structures of the skin, resulting in birthmarks.  The cause of birthmarks is not fully understood  Possible cause: cells that belong in the mesoderm get displaced in the ectoderm.This leads to proliferation of blood vessels in the dermal and epidermal structures of the skin, resulting in birthmarks.

4. Types of Birthmarks  Two Main Categories: Vascular and Pigmented  Vascular or hemangioma are caused by the abnormal proliferation of capillaries and are related to vascular skin changes. They are rarely fully grown at birth and occur more frequently in females than males.  Pigmented birthmarks are similar to vascular birthmarks but appear in shades of brown, tan, black, pale blue, pink, white, red, or purple.  Two Main Categories: Vascular and Pigmented  Vascular or hemangioma are caused by the abnormal proliferation of capillaries and are related to vascular skin changes. They are rarely fully grown at birth and occur more frequently in females than males.  Pigmented birthmarks are similar to vascular birthmarks but appear in shades of brown, tan, black, pale blue, pink, white, red, or purple.

5. Common Types of Birthmarks  Port-wine stain, or Nevus flammeus - Present from birth, they are usually large and irregular in appearance. They are caused by a deficiency in the nerve supply to blood vessels.  Port-wine stain, or Nevus flammeus - Present from birth, they are usually large and irregular in appearance. They are caused by a deficiency in the nerve supply to blood vessels. Stork bite, or Telangiectatic nevus - Can appear on the back of the neck, forehead, eyelids and, sometimes, the top lip. Most fade by the child's first birthday. Image from ACSACS

6.  Caf é au lait spot - These are the most common type of birthmark and often do not fade with time.  Strawberry mark/Capillary hemangioma -Appears as a raised, red, and lumpy patch of skin. Can occur anywhere on the body but most appear on the head or neck.  Mongolian blue spot -appears light blue with uneven borders and is most prevalent with Mongolians, East Africans, and Native Americans. It is caused by the entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest to the epidermis during embryonic development  Caf é au lait spot - These are the most common type of birthmark and often do not fade with time.  Strawberry mark/Capillary hemangioma -Appears as a raised, red, and lumpy patch of skin. Can occur anywhere on the body but most appear on the head or neck.  Mongolian blue spot -appears light blue with uneven borders and is most prevalent with Mongolians, East Africans, and Native Americans. It is caused by the entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest to the epidermis during embryonic development

7. cafe au lait birthmarks Image from virginmedia.comvirginmedia.com Mongolian blue spots Image from baby medical q&ababy medical q&a Stork bite birthmark Image from visualhealth.comvisualhealth.com Strawberry mark Image from diyfather.comdiyfather.com

8. Treatments  Corticosteroid medications (risky)  Cryosurgery  Laser and IPLTM-based therapies  Corticosteroid medications (risky)  Cryosurgery  Laser and IPLTM-based therapies

9. Did you know?  Different cultures intemperate birthmarks in specific ways  Anne Boleyn  "maternal impressions"  Different cultures intemperate birthmarks in specific ways  Anne Boleyn  "maternal impressions" Myths If a mother drinks to much coffee or eats too many strawberries their baby will be born with the respective birthmark

10. Related Links  Health Cares http://skin-care.health- cares.net/birthmarks.phphttp://skin-care.health- cares.net/birthmarks.php  Birthmarks. COM http://birthmarks.com/HTMLArticle.cfm?A rticle=343&Hit=1 http://birthmarks.com/HTMLArticle.cfm?A rticle=343&Hit=1  Bithmarks.org www.birthmark.org/  Health Cares http://skin-care.health- cares.net/birthmarks.phphttp://skin-care.health- cares.net/birthmarks.php  Birthmarks. COM http://birthmarks.com/HTMLArticle.cfm?A rticle=343&Hit=1 http://birthmarks.com/HTMLArticle.cfm?A rticle=343&Hit=1  Bithmarks.org www.birthmark.org/