What are dark birthmarks called?

Melanocytic naevus (moles)

Some are large dark brown, blue or black birthmarks that sometimes grow dark hairs. Some are raised and lumpy, while others are flat and irregular in shape.

What are the black birthmarks called?

Moles (congenital nevi)

Moles range in color from pink to light brown or black. They vary in size and may be flat or raised.

What does it mean if you have a dark birthmark?

Vascular birthmarks happen when blood vessels don't form correctly. Either there are too many of them or they're wider than usual. Pigmented birthmarks are caused by an overgrowth of the cells that create pigment (color) in skin.

Can you have black birthmarks?

Birthmarks are colored skin spots that either are present at birth or develop shortly after birth. Birthmarks can be many different colors, including brown, tan, black, pale blue, pink, white, red, or purple.

What is the Mongolian spot?

Mongolian spots; Congenital dermal melanocytosis. Dermal melanocytosis is the name of a kind of birthmark that is flat, blue, or blue-gray. They appear at birth or in the first few weeks of life. Dermal melanocytosis was formerly called Mongolian blue spots.

The DARK TRUTH About Your Birthmark...

Do Mongolian spots go away?

Mongolian spots (MS) are non-blanching hyperpigmented patches over the gluteal region that usually present at birth or in the first few weeks of life. These lesions are most prominent at the age of one year and start regressing thereafter, with most of them disappearing by early childhood.

What causes Mongolian spots?

What causes Mongolian blue spots? Mongolian blue spots appear on the skin at or shortly after birth. The spots appear when melanocytes (cells that produce pigment, or melanin) remain in the deeper skin layer during embryonic development.

How do you get rid of black birthmarks?

Birthmarks can be safely and effectively removed using a special type of laser. The treatment works by targeting the abnormal blood vessels or areas of pigmentation, breaking them up into tiny fragments so they can be disposed of naturally through the body's immune system.

Are pigmented birthmarks hereditary?

Hereditary – Some people have birthmarks due to their genes. For example, a child may have the same type of birthmark as a father, mother, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. In some cases, the birthmark appears in the exact same spot as the relative!

What is black dot on skin called?

Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.

What are port wine birthmarks?

A port-wine stain is a birthmark in which swollen blood vessels create a reddish-purplish discoloration of the skin. Port wine stains are always present at birth. In an infant, they are flat, pink, vascular lesions. Common locations include the face and neck, but they may be present anywhere on the body.

What causes nevus birthmarks?

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.

What does a Mongolian birthmark mean?

Congenital dermal melanocytosis — more commonly known as Mongolian blue spots — is a kind of birthmark commonly found in newborns. Also known by the name slate gray nevus, Mongolian blue spots often appear right at birth or in the first few weeks of life. They are harmless and do not need to be removed.

How common are pigmented birthmarks?

Pigmented nevi (moles) are growths on the skin that usually are flesh-colored, brown, or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. Congenital nevi are moles that are present at birth. About 1 in 100 people are born with one or more moles.

Why do neurologists ask about birthmarks?

One of the main things that we need to screen for with birthmarks is something called neurocutaneous disorders: “Neuro” for brain and “cutaneous” for skin, meaning that sometimes when birthmarks are present, they may indicate a greater syndrome that could involve the brain.

Why do people get birthmarks?

Birthmarks generally result from an overgrowth of a structure that is normally present in the skin. For example, an overgrowth of blood vessels produces vascular birthmarks or haemangiomas; an overgrowth of pigment cells produces congenital naevi or moles. There are a number myths and superstitions about birthmarks.

How do you lighten a dark birthmark?

Can birthmarks turn cancerous?

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.

Are Mongolian birthmarks hereditary?

Mongolian spot is a hereditary developmental condition caused by entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest into the epidermis.

Do black babies have Mongolian spots?

Congenital melanocytosis, previously known as Mongolian spots, is a very common condition in any part of the body of dark-skinned babies. The spots are flat, gray-blue in color (almost looking like a bruise), and can be small or large.

Are Mongolian spots rare?

Mongolian spots are gray-blue to brown macules or patches located in the lumbosacral/gluteal region. They affect a majority of Asians, African Americans, and American Indians but are rare in Caucasians. The lesions are present at birth but often spontaneously regress within a few years.

How do adults get rid of Mongolian spots?

If Mongolian spots persist in adulthood or if they are present in uncommon areas, laser removal is among the most effective treatment options you can consider.

How do babies get Mongolian spots?

Causes of Mongolian spots on babies

Slate gray nevi spots appear when melanocytes or cells that produce melanin remain in the deeper skin layers during the development of a child in the womb. It is not yet known why this happens.

Do Mongolian spots get bigger?

The typical Mongolian spot is noted at birth and size may vary from a few millimeters to more than 10 cm. They may increase in size for 1 to 2 years and peak in color intensity at 1 year. They become less noticeable and eventually fade during the first few years of life but they occasionally persist.

Do Chinese babies have Mongolian spots?

Mongolian spots were present in all newborns and disappeared slowly until 6 years of age when the rate of disappearance increased. At 10 years of age, none were found. The overall incidence regardless of age was 58% in boys and 53.3% in girls.