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It is amazing how many old fables continue to persist, especially those relating to healthcare. One of these that we occasionally encounter at the Vascular Birthmark Institute concerns the dangers of scratching at moles. Some patients have told us their mother or grandmother warned against scratching a mole because it caused the mole to become… Continue reading
Birthmarks, also known as vascular anomalies, are common in newborn babies. Of these, approximately 90% will disappear within the first year of life. This is perhaps why many pediatric healthcare specialists advise parents to not have birthmarks evaluated by a vascular specialist. However, around 10% of children do develop birthmarks that can pose risks of… Continue reading
Infantile hemangiomas are a type of vascular birthmark, meaning they are composed of blood vessels. These non-cancerous birthmarks are typically discovered either at birth or shortly after birth. Over half of all hemangiomas occur on the head or neck and they are three times as likely to occur in females. Premature infants also see a… Continue reading
Birthmarks develop and appear on many children for a variety of reasons. Some are immediately evident at birth, while others may appear days or even weeks later. Some birthmarks grow over time while others eventually fade away. Certain types of birthmarks can become problematic and require some form of treatment or even removal. Knowing the… Continue reading
Nosebleeds are rarely a cause for serious concern. Children are known to be inquisitive and experimental by nature, and sticking objects into their nose is a common occurrence. Other common causes for periodic nosebleeds are dry air or allergies. In these cases, parents usually discover the cause of the nosebleeds and can solve the issue,… Continue reading
The body’s lymphatic system is a network of tubular channels and organs that help eliminate waste, toxins and other unwanted materials. The lymphatic system transports a fluid called lymph that contains infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. Lymph is transported to organs and then through lymph nodes in various locations. These nodes remove sources of infection… Continue reading
Venous Malformations are the most common type of congenital vascular malformations, occurring in 1-2 out of 10,000 births. Venous malformations develop in a child prior to birth and can occur anywhere on the body. They are believed to result from abnormal or problematic development of the veins during pregnancy and are not caused by drug… Continue reading
Babies being born with some type of birthmark are more common than many parents realize. An estimated 10% of all babies have some sort of noticeable birthmark. One type, known as an Infantile Hemangioma, occurs in 5-10% of all newborn babies. Vascular birthmarks like these involve extra collections of blood vessels in the skin. The… Continue reading
Blue-gray spots can appear on your child’s skin at birth or within the first few weeks. These spots, known as slate grey nevi, typically disappear by the child’s fifth birthday, but can last into adulthood. If your child is born with these spots, should you be worried? This birthmark generally poses no danger to your… Continue reading
Port wine birthmarks can thicken and overpower your child’s face over time. This can cause a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence along with possible depression and anxiety. As your child gets older, they may isolate themselves from others or become a target for bullying. If these birthmarks are not medically monitored and treated, other skin… Continue reading