Port-Wine Stain Basics: Understanding The Birthmark And Its Treatment Options
Most birthmarks are nonobtrusive and don't really pose much of an issue to the person affected. However, port-wine stains are an exception to this rule in the fact that they are usually highly visible, and they most often appear on the face or the neck, where they are hard to hide. Whether you have a port-wine stain or your child was born with one, there are some things you should know about this type of birthmark and the options available to get rid of it.
What Causes Port-Wine Stains?
Port-wine stains are usually caused by blood vessels forming abnormally under the skin. Many cases of port-wine stains are simply due to a congenital defect in the formation of those blood vessels, though some cases may be the result of other health conditions that can pose further complications later in life.
How Do Port-Wine Stains Change Over Time?
When they first appear at birth, port-wine stains are often lighter pink in color and the tissue is not very thick. However, as you age, a port-wine stain will darken to a purplish hue, hence the given name. The tissue will thicken and darken, and sometimes, it can actually lead to occasional bleeding in adults who have an untreated birthmark.
How Can You Treat Port-Wine Stains?
Unlike some birthmarks that have no effective treatment or removal procedure available for them, there are a few ways to treat a port-wine stain birthmark. Laser treatments have been shown to be highly effective at reducing the visibility of these stains. In some cases, laser treatment can even remove the birthmark altogether.
The effectiveness of the treatment depends on several factors, though. The most important factor is the age of the birthmark. The earlier in life you can have it treated, the more effective the laser treatment will be. In fact, if you can have your child's birthmark treated before he or she starts school, you may be able to nearly or completely eliminate it.
What Does The Treatment Entail?
Treating a port-wine stain requires one of a few different types of laser treatments. The dermatologist treating the condition will determine the best possible laser therapy for the situation.
A port-wine stain can't typically be removed in a single treatment. You will need repeated treatments spaced a few months apart in order to effectively remove the birthmark or significantly reduce its visibility.
While the laser therapy does lead to some discomfort during treatment, your doctor can apply a local anesthetic to help ease it. In the weeks following the treatment, you may notice increased redness, swelling, or bruising. Make sure that you follow your doctor's recommendations for icing the area to help it heal.
It is important to avoid sun exposure during treatment as well. If the skin is tanned, it can be more difficult for the laser to reach the blood vessels underneath to treat the stain because tanning thickens the skin. You'll be advised to avoid tanning for several weeks leading up to your first treatment and for about six months following your last treatment.
While port-wine stains aren't medically problematic, they can be unsightly and may lead to self-esteem issues and similar problems. Understanding the cause and treatment for this type of birthmark can help you to address the problem before it becomes darker and more visible. Talk with a dermatologist at a local clinic today about your port-wine stain to see if you could qualify for laser treatment to remove it. He or she can assess the condition of the birthmark and your skin and help you understand the possible prognosis for treatment.
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