Birthmarks

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Even though most birthmarks do not cause physical harm, they may make you or your child feel shy or self-conscious. Each person is different and reacts differently to a birthmark. What bothers one person may not bother another. Parents of a child with a birthmark can reduce the impact that it has on their child's life by understanding and accepting that the birthmark is normal.

If you or your child is bothered by a birthmark, talk with your doctor. There might be treatment options, makeup, or hairstyles than can hide a birthmark and/or support groups and counseling that can help.

If your child has a raised birthmark, the following may be helpful:

• Avoid scraping or scratching it. Hemangiomas contain blood vessels that may bleed.
• If a hemangioma becomes sore and bleeds (ulcerates), apply continuous pressure to the area with a clean pad for 10 minutes and contact your doctor for more advice.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to small injuries to a birthmark. If the injury is large, contact a doctor.
• When a hemangioma starts to shrink, the skin may become soft and easily damaged by the sun or by rough treatment. Ask your doctor how to care for it.

If your child's birthmark has been treated with surgery or laser therapy, keep your child's fingernails trimmed short to prevent him or her from scratching the treated area. It also is important to keep your child out of the sun for several weeks after surgery. Until your child's treated areas are completely healed, use sunscreen on the treated areas when your child is out in the sun. For more information, see the topic Protecting Your Skin From the Sun.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: March 25, 2009
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
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