Stork bite on the nose

definition

A stork bite on the nose is also known as a “lateral nevus flammeus”. It is a kind of benign birthmark, which shows a reddish to purple color. It is benign and occurs in varying degrees in up to 70% of newborns. Such a stork bite usually disappears in the course of the first few years of life. Other common names for the stork bite on the nose are Naevus Unna, Naevus vinosus, Feuermal or Portweinnaevus. The treatment of a stork bite on the nose consists of dermatological laser therapy.

Read more on the subject at: Stork bite on baby

causes

The cause of a stork bite on the nose is one Malformation of the smallest blood vessels. These blood vessels are known as capillaries. They are located directly below the top layer of skin, the epidermis. An expansion of these capillaries leads to the reddish, purple discoloration that shimmers through the thin epidermis and appears as a mark.

However, one must not let the term malformation unsettle one at this point: Stork bites occur due to minimal "errors" in the baby's embryonic development. However, these "bugs" have no impact on the child's health. Therefore, stork bites have absolutely no disease value and become as benign (benign) classified.

An accumulation of such stork bites on the nose can be found in children with a so-called Phacomatosis. The term phacomatosis is a collective term for various diseases that mainly affect the skin and the nervous system. Here too, however, stork bites on the nose have no specific disease value. They can only pose a cosmetic problem if they don't regress.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of a stork bite on the nose is called a Eye diagnosis posed. This means that the doctor knows what it is just from the appearance of the disease. Further diagnostic means such as taking samples or the like are not necessary. One is typical of the finding light to dark red, purple discoloration of the skin of various sizes. The most common locations are the neck, forehead and nose. If phacomatosis is suspected, special examinations are carried out to define the individual clinical pictures in more detail.

Concomitant symptoms

A stork bite on the nose indicates no accompanying symptoms on. It is a benign malformation of vascular structures below the top layer of skin. The stork bite as such has no disease value. Typical symptoms of other skin diseases are completely absent.

The stork bite can pose a cosmetic problem onlyif he doesn't regress. However, a stork bite can also occur in the context of congenital syndromes. With some Phacomatoses stork bites occur frequently. In this context, however, one speaks more often of fire marks. Phacomatoses are various diseases that particularly affect the skin and the nervous system. The possible accompanying symptoms are very diverse.

Stork bite itches

Stork bites do not cause itching. Therefore, with a skin lesion that accompanied by itching we then other possible diagnoses be thought. Reddish skin changes that are accompanied by itching can, for example, indicate a Neurodermatitis or psoriasis Clues. However, their appearance differs significantly from a stork bite.

therapy

Treatment of a stork bite is usually not necessary. Usually the purple spots disappear again within the first year of life. In some cases, however, the stork bite may not fade and persist permanently. This is a cosmetic problem for many people, especially on the nose.

Annoying stork bites on the nose can be removed with laser treatments. Several sessions are often necessary. The stain should be removed early in childhood. The laser treatment takes place under general anesthesia for small children and babies. As a rule, the costs are not covered by the health insurance company, as the problem is purely cosmetic.

Read more on the subject at: General anesthesia in the child

If a phacomatosis such as Sturge-Weber syndrome is discovered, further therapy depends on this disease. However, this has nothing to do with the stork bite. Only laser therapy can eliminate the stork bite. The costs for a laser treatment vary widely and range between 300 and 1000 euros.

Duration of a stork bite

Stork bites on the nose usually fade within the first few years of life. When exactly the stork bite disappears completely differs from child to child. Most stork bites go away within the first year of life. However, some can persist for a lifetime and thus become a cosmetic problem for those affected. In particular, stork bites on the nose, which occur as part of phacomatosis, tend not to go away on their own. Then the stain can be removed without complications with a laser treatment with which the dilated vessels are obliterated.

Stork bite on the nose and forehead

Stork bites can also appear on the forehead. The forehead, like the nose, is one rather rare localization for a stork bite. In particular, simultaneous occurrence of a stork bite on the nose and forehead is very rare. The The likelihood of phacomatosis being present is with simultaneous presence of a stork bite on the forehead and nose elevated.

Stork bite on the nose and neck

There are stork bites in the neck or the back of the head very often. Around half of the newborns have such stork bites. As a rule, they disappear on their own after a few months. A simultaneous occurrence of stork bites on the neck or back of the head and on the nose, however, suggests the presence of further malformations, for example in the context of a phacomatosis.

Stork bite on the nose and eye

There is a stork bite on the eye rather seldom, even less common in combination with a stork bite on the nose. The simultaneous presence the stork bites on the eye and nose speak for that Presence of further malformations. However, the stork bites can also be present without the presence of other malformations. The pediatrician will arrange further examinations if necessary. Phacomatosis is possible if there are multiple stork bites.