Many people are born with birthmarks on the 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 dangerous to human health. However, only a doctor can understand what a red birthmark means, when to remove it, and when to leave it. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed, the easier it will be to prevent such a serious disease as melanoma.
Disease characteristics
Birthmarks are spots on the skin found at birth or appearing later. All moles and marks that have a color that does not match the main skin tone are called nevi. According to statistics of neonatologists, red birthmarks in newborns occur in 30% of cases. These skin vascular marks in infants can be raised or even, have different sizes and localizations. Moreover, their shade can be from burgundy red to pink. 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 hemangioma. It is a vascular formation. Usually hemangioma does not cause pain and is safe for the body. Doctors who are studying the causes of birthmarks still can not establish what specifically affects the occurrence of this type of nevus. The color of hemangioma varies from bright scarlet to pale red and depends on how developed blood vessels 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 symptom may remain on the skin even after the formation disappears.
- Lentigo is a small area of multiple birthmarks of red color. In appearance it resembles freckles, it may have a different shade. Subdivide senile, sunny, youthful lentigo.
- Cavernous hemangioma outwardly resembles strawberry. The difference is a deeper arrangement of pigmented tissues. In appearance, it looks like a bright red spongy mass filled with blood. Cavernous hemangioma also refers to regressing nevi, that is, it can disappear with time without additional medical care.
- Flaming nevus is also called the "wine stain." It looks like a region of irregular shape, the color varies from dark red to burgundy. The main danger is that they continue to grow as the child grows up, sometimes forming knolls and nodules.
- A “Stork Kiss" or salmon spot is another type of vascular pathology that may disappear with age. These labels 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 surface of the skin, dermatologists distinguish the following types:
- flat;
- knotty;
- branchy;
- pineal.
For the classification of red birthmarks on the legs, arms or body, a form of education means a lot. This parameter subdivides:
- Arachnids - capillary arrows move in different directions, with time they become more noticeable.
- 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 most advisable to contact a medical institution for the doctor to determine the type of disease and talk about treatment options.
Causes
In most cases, doctors cannot determine the factors that affect the appearance of birthmarks of red color. As a rule, they are not formed due to a genetic predisposition, this is extremely rare. More often, red birthmarks on the face or other parts of the body are associated with various disorders in the body. Key causes include:
- hormonal disorders;
- liver disease
- avitaminosis;
- frequent exposure to the sun;
- deterioration of lipid metabolism;
- skin injury;
- heart and vascular disease.
If it is established that the nevi of red color appeared due to a lack of useful substances, then an additional examination is carried out for the levels of vitamins K and C. Failure to obtain these components leads to 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 studies 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 a long stay in direct sunlight or choose the first half of the day for summer walks. If you adhere to this advice, then the likelihood of the appearance of various formations may decrease by 30-40%.
As for the red pigment spots in newborns, most often they arise due to an excess of melanin. This pigment is responsible for the color of the skin. The level of melanin in each person is individual, therefore 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, transferred during gestation, multiple pregnancy. According to statistics, such nevi are much more common in infant girls.
Location
As a rule, this type of nevus may have different localization. They are distinguished by the location around the natural physiological openings on the face - the mouth, ear, eyes, cheeks, nose bridge. This is where the "stork kiss" is localized. Red birthmarks on the arms of the legs or near the genitals are much less common. It is very important that the formations do not come in 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 stomach. It is very important to immediately determine where the marks are in the child or adult. This will help to further diagnose and determine if treatment is required in this case.
Diagnostics
If a red birthmark is found on the skin, then the attending physician should immediately pay attention to it. After that, the doctor must determine the cause of the disease using modern diagnostic methods. Initially, a visual inspection is carried out, which helps to record data such as color, capillary shape, elevation above the skin surface, localization of the red birthmark.
A comprehensive examination may be prescribed, including a laboratory analysis of blood and urine. But, according to dermatologists, the most effective is a full-fledged study of blood vessels adjacent directly to the formation.
Among the most accurate diagnostic methods, computer capillaroscopy is distinguished. During this procedure, you can identify the ratio of capillaries to the surface of the skin. 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 the red birthmark. For this, the doctor takes a small piece of skin formation for examination. Laboratory analysis will confirm or deny the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment
If the patient is not worried, the education does not increase in size and does not interfere with everyday wear, then no treatment is required. In cases where the red birthmark has increased in 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 that 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 prescribe a special balanced diet that will help make up for the lack of vitamins K, A and C.
Special formulations will help get rid of the red birthmark, allowing you to reduce the color intensity after repeated skin treatment. For example, the drug “Tsindol” successfully fights with 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 up to 9-10 years of age, they also prescribe a visit to physiotherapy, which consists in the use of special medical devices that improve the microcirculation of the skin. These procedures include magnetotherapy.
Folk recipes
Since ancient times, there have been folk tricks by which healers removed small red birthmarks. To do this, they recommended using effective recipes and lubricating formations:
- bee propolis;
- castor oil;
- juice of garlic or onions;
- potato gruel;
- juice of dandelion leaves.
Some methods really helped to reduce the size of the birthmark or even completely get rid of it. 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, rather than self-medicating a red birthmark. The value of occupational therapy is much more important than healers' knowledge.
When removal is required
Red birthmarks that are located on closed parts of the body are usually not removable. In this case, the doctor advises to do conservative treatment. However, if negative factors influence the formation, then it can degenerate into a malignant one. This often happens if the birthmark is damaged after contact with clothing. It is dangerous to leave growths that appear in the eye area, because increasing in size, they can significantly impair vision.
Reasons to remove red birthmarks include:
- frequent injury;
- cracking and peeling;
- blood discharge;
- color change;
- rapid growth;
- the appearance of asymmetry;
- severe itching.
These signs may indicate degeneration into melanoma - a disease that belongs to the category of oncological. If there is the slightest doubt, a biopsy should be done and the treatment of cancer cells should be prevented with the prescribed treatment.
Removal Methods
Excision is not always performed due to complications of the pathology. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the formation, if the mark is located on the visible part of the body and leads to the fact that the patient begins to complex due to his appearance.
Currently, the following types of birthmark removal are distinguished:
- X-ray irradiation - a course of treatment consisting of several procedures. If the dosage is prescribed correctly, then the formation will decrease and darken, and soon will completely disappear. However, this method has a lot of contraindications because of the great risk to health, therefore it is used extremely rarely.
- 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 suitable only for surface formations. Before carrying out the procedures, capillaroscopy will be needed to establish the depth of the pathological vessels.
- Chemical sclerosis - for this method of removal, special drugs are introduced that block blood vessels and prevent them from participating in the general bloodstream. 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 located 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, therefore, it requires appropriate anesthesia.
- Laser exposure has numerous advantages over other methods. During the microoperation, which takes no more than 10 minutes, no pain relief is required. The patient will not feel any discomfort.
Among the described methods, laser coagulation 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, therefore, the doctor who conducted the examination should decide on the therapy.
Prevention of new formations
After the removal of the red birthmark is performed, you need to change your life, taking into account harmful factors, so that other formations no longer appear on other parts of the skin. Doctors recommend following certain rules for prevention:
- It is less to be in the sun, avoiding direct beams.
- Exclude injury to those areas where the removal was carried out.
- Monitor the hormonal background, taking any drugs only as prescribed by the doctor.
- Carry out an independent preventive examination and, at the slightest suspicion of worsening skin condition, consult 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.