Stork bite in the neck

definition

The phenomenon, known colloquially as a stork bite or fire mark, is a harmless skin phenomenon that occurs in newborns. Medicine speaks of a nevus flammeus.

A local widening of the blood vessels under the skin makes the skin appear reddened in the area. The neck, back of the head as well as between the eyebrows and the eyelids are the most common locations for a stork bite, sometimes the nose, cheek, forehead and the skin on arms and legs and other parts of the body are also affected.
A stork bite can be detected in almost 50% of all newborns. As a rule, a stork bite regresses within the first months to 3 years of life, although in rare cases the phenomenon can last for a lifetime.

General information can be found at: Stork bite on baby

causes

A stork bite is an expansion of the small vessels under the skin. As a result of this local vessel widening, the area of ​​the skin appears clearly reddened. In most cases, it cannot be clarified why the stork bite occurs. The appearance of the skin appearance is not necessarily a sign of other diseases in the newborn.
However, since a stork bite occurs more frequently in certain diseases that affect the skin and the nervous system, further examinations should follow, especially if other symptoms are present. This is particularly true when it comes to large, sharply defined skin manifestations on the face or other body regions and these appear one-sided. An example of a disease that correlates with the occurrence of a stork bite on the face is the so-called Sturge-Weber syndrome (here, among other things, seizures occur, which must be treated urgently). The cause of the occurrence of the disease are usually gene mutations.

Symptoms

A stork bite is a harmless skin condition which usually not with other complaints goes along and fades after a while. However, if the stork bite is a symptom in the context of a hereditary developmental disorder other complaints can occur.
In these rare clinical pictures stand next to the skin changes neurological and systemic symptoms in the foreground. If such a disease is present, seizures and tumors of the internal organs can occur.

More information can be found here: Rash on baby

itching

Changes in the skin caused by widening of the blood vessels Usually it doesn't itch. If itching occurs as part of the skin symptoms, the assumption is therefore that the disease in question is a different disease and not a stork bite. In particular, if the area is also flaky or wet, a doctor should be consulted for clarification.

diagnosis

The diagnosis can usually be made immediately after birth. One is enough for this Eye diagnosis off, a tissue sample is not necessary. In rare cases, the stork bite only becomes visible after a few days, which is why it is sometimes only noticed during the first examination of the newborn.
During the physical examination you can use a transparent spatula to depress the blood vessels - the red color then disappears for a short time. The test can provide an indication of the diagnosis.
If the changes occur in the face or over a large area only on one side of the body, a further examination for certain genetic syndromes should be carried out.

therapy

Kick the stork bite as the sole symptom on, it is a common change in the skin, which does not have to be treated. In most children, the changes in the skin fade again after a few months or years and are then hardly or not at all visible.
Should the stork bite If a genetic syndrome occurs, it should be treated as well as possible and, if necessary, to have medication ready for acute symptomatic therapy.
If the stork bite has not faded after a few years and is cosmetically disturbing due to its localization, a Removal of the skin lesion respectively. Usually there is a certain one Laser technology used, which can achieve a cosmetic removal of the skin lesion. However, treatment often lasts for several years. Also one Treatment with cold (cryotherapy) is possible in principle, but is often associated with less attractive results. Even the cover through Specialty cosmetics is possible, but this is usually relatively expensive.
The removal of the stork bite is particularly recommended if it appears on the face and has not faded after a few years. The removal can strengthen your own aesthetic feeling.

forecast

Although a stork bite occurs in up to 50% of newborns, significantly fewer adults are affected by the skin changes. This is due to the frequent spontaneous regression the skin manifestations. A stork bite fades in many children within the first few years. Removal using laser or cold therapy should therefore only be considered after the age of two in order to await possible spontaneous improvement. If the stork bite is clearly visible after the age of three, it is likely that it will remain more or less visible throughout your life. However, over the years there may be another Fading of the spot come.

Different locations

Stork bite on the forehead

A stork bite can occur in different parts of the body. The forehead is relatively often affected. It is important here whether the skin symptoms appear in the middle or on one side of the forehead.
In the case of a central stork bite on the forehead, a harmless stork bite can be assumed, while in the case of changes occurring on one side of the face and forehead, the presence of a rare genetic disease should be considered. Due to the prominent location on the face, if the stork bite does not fade, therapeutic removal can be considered.

Stork bite on the eye

The eye or the eyelid as well as the surrounding skin area is next to the neck one of the most common localizations for the presence of a stork bite. Further diagnostics to rule out a genetic syndrome can still be considered. This is especially true if the stork bite is sharply defined and does not fade after a few months.

Stork bite on the nose

The area of ​​the nose is one rather rare localization for a stork bite. Nevertheless, it is possible that the skin change occurs here as well. In the event of a stork bite on the nose and the root of the nose, further diagnostics should be carried out in order to exclude possible genetic syndromes. If the stork bite on the nose does not fade by itself, a removal can be considered due to the disturbing position on the face.