Stork bite on the forehead
definition
A stork bite is a so-called birth mark that many newborns have on the forehead, neck, eyelids or even on the bridge of the nose. This is a red, sharply circumscribed mark, which is counted among the benign skin changes.
It arises due to an accumulation and expansion of Blood vesselsthat are just below the surface of the skin. As a rule, the stork bite fades in the first 3 years of life and gradually disappears.
Active treatment of the stork bite is usually not required.
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causes
The stork bite on the forehead is a Birthmark, with which almost half of all newborns are born.
The exact cause of this benign skin change has not yet been scientifically clarified. It is known, however, that the stork bite is a Accumulation of blood vessels acts in the upper layers of the skin, which are greatly expanded and shine through the surface of the skin.
As a rule, the small blood vessels are located in significantly deeper layers and cannot be easily seen from the outside. If the affected children make a lot of effort and scream or develop a fever, there is increased blood flow to the superficial small blood vessels. These expand and take on a darker color due to the increased filling with blood.
One practices pressure on the small vessels, for example with a wooden spatula, then the blood drains out of the skin capillaries and the Color fades. Such a stork bite could possibly also arise as a result of a small malfunction during the child's development in the womb.
The diagnosis of a stork bite is a so-called Eye diagnosis. The treating pediatrician can recognize a stork bite at a glance.
Usually it manifests itself certain parts of the body, again forehead, in the neck (please refer: Stork bite in the neck), to the Eyelids or the Root of the nose. If the sharply circumscribed reddish spots can be removed by pressure for a short time, there is usually no longer any doubt.
However, a stork bite is not allowed with one Fire mark be confused. This is also a pathological expansion of the blood vessels, which, however, continues to grow over the course of the disease and its color intensity becomes darker and darker. In some cases, fire marks can also be associated with other hereditary diseases.
Furthermore, the stork bite is also one Hemangioma, also "Blood sponge"called to distinguish.
Read about this: Blood sponge in the baby
Concomitant symptoms
Besides the Sharply circumscribed red to dark red discolored skin changes in most cases there are no other accompanying symptoms.
However, the intensity of the color of the stork bite changes in situations in which the blood flow in the enlarged vessels increases. With intense physical exertion, strong screaming or even with a fever, a stork bite on a baby's forehead turns red more. One should note, however, that a stork bite sometimes also affects certain parts of the body other malformations can go hand in hand.
Does a stork bite itch on the forehead?
A stork bite on the forehead usually leads to none agonizing, uncomfortable Itching. A dilation of blood vessels cannot cause itching.
However, if there is severe itching of the skin surface in the area of the stork bite, other possible causes should be considered. An infection of the skin with bacteria called a eczema (please refer: Eczema in the baby), can also lead to a similarly circumscribed, sharply delimited reddening. Therefore, in this case or if other symptoms such as pain, oozing or signs of inflammation occur, further medical evaluation should be carried out.
Since a stork bite is a benign skin change that completely fades again within the first 6 years of life, therapeutic measures are usually unnecessary.
However, it may happen that the stain does not fade or does not show sufficient tendency to recede. In this case, the measure of therapeutic removal can be carried out. In most cases, this is considered because of a cosmetic flaw. A stork bite on the forehead, nose or in the area of the eyes is of course more noticeable than one in the neck area and can later represent a significant blemish for the child and lead to discomfort and aversion.
Remaining stork bites on the face can be used, for example Lasers or Electric needles to be desolate. In the case of particularly extensive times, the removal is often difficult or does not show the desired or expected success. In these cases, a special make-up can help cover the mark and make it disappear.
Duration
If a baby has a stork bite on the forehead, you shouldn't worry. This benign skin lesion heals usually within the first three years of life out. The reddish color of the affected skin area gradually fades and eventually disappears completely without leaving any scars or residue.
After the first 6 years of life, the stork bite will usually have completely disappeared.
However, sometimes it doesn't go away or doesn't fade completely. In such cases you can decide whether to leave it at that or whether it should be removed afterwards.
Where else can a stork bite be found
Stork bite in the neck
In the area of Neck or Back of the head is found the most common localization of the stork bite. The stork bite got its name because of its localization at this point. The circumscribed reddish skin change looks as if the stork had grabbed the child with its beak in the neck and carried it.
Due to the increasing body hair over the course of life, the stork bite in the neck or on the back of the head is often well concealed, so that it represents a significantly less disturbing cosmetic blemish in contrast to the facial area.
In newborns, a stork bite can also develop in the area of the root of the nose. Here it occurs much less often than on the forehead or neck.
If there is insufficient regression in this area, therapeutic removal is often sought. In the middle of the face, the stork bite is a clear blemish that can then be destroyed with the help of lasers.
nose
In newborns, a stork bite can also develop in the area of the root of the nose.
Here it occurs much less often than on the forehead or neck. If there is insufficient regression in this area, therapeutic removal is often sought. In the middle of the face, the stork bite is a clear blemish that can then be destroyed with the help of lasers.
eye
If a stork bite becomes apparent in a newborn's eye or eyelids, care should be taken to distinguish it from a general fire mark. The fire mark is also a pathological enlargement of the vessels, but it mainly occurs in this localization area with other malformations.
In the so-called Sturge-Weber syndrome, the affected babies are not only noticeable by the fire mark on the eyes or in the song area, but also show widening of the blood vessels in the choroid and in the central nervous system. This can lead to seizures with long-term consequences such as mental losses and disabilities. If this complex of symptoms is not recognized and treated early enough, there is a great risk to the further healthy development of the child.
Read more on this topic at: Stork bite on the eye
