Many people are born with birthmarks on their body and face. Often these formations are small in size, but in some cases they can be located in the most noticeable places. In addition, they can be hazardous to human he alth. However, only a doctor can understand what a red birthmark means, when it should be removed, and when it can be left. The sooner the diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, the easier it will be to prevent such a serious disease as melanoma.
Characteristics of the disease
Birthmarks are spots on the skin that are discovered at birth or appear later. All moles and marks that have a color that does not match the main skin tone are called nevi. According to the statistics of neonatologists, red birthmarks in newborns occur in 30% of cases. These skin vascular marks in infants may be raised or even, and may vary in size and location. Moreover, their shade can be from burgundy red topink. After a red birthmark is found in a child or adult, it is recommended to constantly monitor its condition, noting any changes.
Varieties
The most common type of red birthmark is a hemangioma. It is a vascular formation. Usually hemangioma does not cause pain and is safe for the body. Doctors involved in the study of the causes of birthmarks still cannot establish what specifically affects the occurrence of this type of nevus. The color of a hemangioma varies from bright scarlet to pale red and depends on how developed the blood vessels are in this area of the skin.
Varieties:
- Strawberry hemangioma is a common type of red birthmark in a newborn. In most cases, it disappears when the child is 9-10 years old. This subspecies is characterized by a bright red hue and slight wrinkling. This sign may remain on the skin even after the formation has disappeared.
- Lentigo is a small area of multiple red birthmarks. In appearance it resembles freckles, it may have a different shade. Subdivide senile, sunny, youthful lentigo.
- Cavernous hemangioma looks like strawberry. The difference lies in the deeper location of the pigmented tissues. In appearance, it looks like a bright red spongy mass filled with blood. Cavernous hemangioma also belong to regressive nevi, theneat may disappear over time without further medical attention.
- The flaming nevus is also called the port-wine stain. It looks like an irregularly shaped area, the color varies from dark red to burgundy. The main danger is that they continue to grow as the child grows, sometimes forming bumps and nodules.
- "Stork kiss" or salmon spot is another type of vascular pathology that can disappear with age. These marks can be found in many newborns. However, doctors believe that they should not be paid attention if the nevi do not change color and shape.
Additional classification
According to the degree of swelling above the skin surface, dermatologists distinguish the following types:
- flat;
- knotty;
- branchy;
- pineal.
For the classification of red birthmarks on the legs, arms or body, the shape of education means a lot. By this parameter they are subdivided:
- Arachnids - capillary arrows move in different directions, becoming more noticeable over time.
- Point - do not have pronounced vascular branches, more like red dots.
- Multiple - look like small formations located close to each other.
If a red birthmark appears on the body or face, this should alert. For the diagnosis of pathology and proper treatment, it is best to contact a medical institution so that the doctor determines the type of disease and talks about the options.therapy.
Reasons
In most cases, doctors cannot determine the factors that affect the appearance of red birthmarks. As a rule, they are not formed due to a genetic predisposition, this happens extremely rarely. Much more often, red birthmarks on the face or other parts of the body are associated with various disorders in the body. Top reasons include:
- hormonal disorders;
- liver disease;
- avitaminosis;
- frequent sun exposure;
- deterioration of lipid metabolism;
- skin injury;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
If it is established that red nevi appeared due to a lack of nutrients, then an additional examination is carried out for the level of vitamins K and C. Lack of these components leads to a weakening of the vascular walls and the appearance of various formations. They can appear even after slight pressure on the surface of the skin.
After statistical research in this area, it is proved that fair-skinned people are more prone to the appearance of red birthmarks. Therefore, dermatologists recommend that they refrain from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or choose the first half of the day for summer walks. If you follow this advice, then the probability of the appearance of various formations may decrease by 30-40%.
As for red age spots in newborns, most often they occur due to excess melanin. This pigment is responsible for the colorskin cover. The level of melanin in each person is individual, so it is impossible to predict the appearance of formations. Among the causes of red birthmarks in babies, doctors call fetal hypoxia, various infections of the mother during gestation, and multiple pregnancies. According to statistics, such nevi are much more common in baby girls.
Location
As a rule, this type of nevi may have different localization. They are distinguished by the location around the natural physiological openings on the face - the mouth, ear, eye, cheeks, bridge of the nose. This is how the "kiss of the stork" is localized. Much less often, red birthmarks are observed on the arms and legs or near the genitals. It is very important that the formations do not come into contact with tight clothing, because this increases the likelihood of damage.
Strawberry hemangiomas can be located on the scalp, and these red birthmarks often appear on the back or abdomen. It is very important to immediately determine where the marks are in a child or an adult. This will help further diagnosis and determine if treatment is required in this case.
Diagnosis
If a red birthmark is found on the skin, you should immediately bring it to the attention of your doctor. After that, the doctor must establish the cause of the disease using modern diagnostic methods. Initially, a visual inspection is carried out, which helps to record data such as color, shape of capillaries, elevation above the surfaceskin, localization of a red birthmark.
A comprehensive examination may be ordered, including laboratory analysis of blood and urine. But, according to dermatologists, the most effective is a full examination of the blood vessels adjacent directly to the formation.
Among the most accurate diagnostic methods, computerized capillaroscopy is distinguished. During this procedure, the ratio of capillaries to the surface of the skin can be determined. They can be located superficially, have a sinuous or expanded structure. In order to exclude such a serious disease as melanoma, you will have to perform a biopsy of a red birthmark. To do this, the doctor takes a small piece of the skin formation for examination. Laboratory analysis will confirm or deny the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment
If the patient is not disturbed by anything, the formation does not increase in size and does not interfere with wearing everyday clothes, then no treatment is required. In cases where the red birthmark has increased its shape in a short period, you should consult a doctor for advice. The type of treatment will depend on the cause of the appearance of the pathology, which is established by the doctor. Sometimes all therapy comes down to taking drugs that improve vascular circulation. If the reason lies in the lack of trace elements and nutrients, then a special balanced diet is prescribed that will help make up for the lack of vitamins K, A and C.
Get rid of a red birthmark will helpspecial compositions that allow, after repeated processing of the skin, to reduce the intensity of coloring. For example, the pharmaceutical drug "Tsindol" successfully fights different types of pigmented nevi, if they are located on the surface of the skin, and the capillaries do not lie too deep. For children under 9-10 years old, an additional visit to physiotherapy is prescribed, which consists in the use of special medical devices that improve the microcirculation of the skin. These treatments include magnetotherapy.
Folk recipes
From ancient times there have been folk tricks, with the help of which healers removed small red birthmarks. To do this, they recommended using effective recipes and lubricating formations:
- bee propolis;
- castor oil;
- garlic or onion juice;
- potato gruel;
- dandelion leaf juice.
Some methods really helped to reduce the size of the birthmark or even get rid of it completely. The main effect was achieved due to the whitening effect of these ingredients. However, if the growth continues to increase in size, it is necessary to take medical help, and not to self-medicate a red birthmark. The value of occupational therapy is much more important than medicine knowledge.
When removal is required
Red birthmarks that are located on closed parts of the body usually cannot be removed. In this case, the doctor advises to do conservativetreatment. However, if the formation is affected by negative factors, then it can degenerate into a malignant one. This often happens if the birthmark is damaged after being in contact with clothing. It is dangerous to leave growths that have appeared in the eye area, because increasing in size, they can significantly impair vision.
Reasons to remove red birthmarks include:
- frequent injury;
- cracking and peeling;
- bleeding;
- color change;
- rapid growth;
- appearance of asymmetry;
- severe itching.
These signs may indicate degeneration into melanoma - a disease that belongs to the category of oncological. If there is even the slightest doubt, a biopsy should be taken and, with the help of the prescribed treatment, the growth of cancer cells should be prevented.
Deletion methods
Excision is not always performed due to complication of the pathology. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the formation if the mark is located on a visible part of the body and leads to the fact that the patient begins to complex because of his appearance.
Currently, the following types of red birthmark removal are distinguished:
- X-ray exposure is a course of treatment consisting of several procedures. If the dosage is prescribed correctly, then the formation will decrease and darken, and soon disappear altogether. However, this method has a lot of contraindications due to the high risk to he alth, so it is rarely used.
- Surgical excision - often used for red birthmarks that protrude above the surface of the skin, also suitable for cavernous and branched nevi. The main disadvantage is the long healing of wounds. In addition, after excision with a surgical scalpel, unaesthetic scars remain.
- The carbon dioxide method is only suitable for surface formations. Before carrying out the procedures, capillaroscopy will be required to determine the depth of pathological vessels.
- Chemical sclerosis - for this removal method, special preparations are injected that block the vessels and prevent them from participating in the general blood flow. Not suitable for small patients.
- Cryodestruction involves the use of liquid nitrogen. This substance successfully copes with red birthmarks that have a convex structure. But, for successful removal, they should not be too deep, otherwise you will have to repeat the procedure or choose an alternative treatment method.
- Electrocoagulation is another modern method that copes well with red nevi. During treatment, the birthmark is exposed to small doses of electric current. The procedure can be painful and requires appropriate anesthesia.
- Laser exposure has numerous advantages over other methods. During the micro-surgery, which takes no more than 10 minutes, anesthesia is not required. The patient will not experience any discomfort.
Among the described methods, lasercoagulation is most preferred. This procedure is even used to treat red birthmarks on the back of the head, face and body in children. However, this method also has contraindications, so the doctor who conducted the examination should make a decision on therapy.
Prevention of new formations
After the red birthmark is removed, you need to change your life, taking into account harmful factors, so that similar formations no longer occur on other areas of the skin. Doctors recommend following some rules for prevention:
- Be less in the sun, avoiding direct rays.
- Exclude injury to the areas where the removal was performed.
- Keep your hormones in check by taking any medications only as directed by your doctor.
- Conduct an independent preventive examination and, at the slightest suspicion of a deterioration in the condition of the skin, contact a dermatologist.
If you regularly conduct a medical examination and examine the skin, as well as avoid injuries and cuts, then you can forever forget about such a pathology as red birthmarks.
