What is a Birthmark?
A birthmark is a mark which appears on the skin of newborns, or develops later in life. By nature, birthmarks are benign, although some people may find them unsightly, and they vary widely in size, shape, location, and color. Historically, a number of interesting myths and legends have been associated with birthmarks, and birthmarks have unfortunately been linked with evil in some cultures.
Birthmarks are sometimes referred to as naevi, referencing the Latin term used to describe benign lesions on the skin with clearly defined margins. Around one in three babies is born with some form of birthmark, most commonly a simple splotch or mole, and sometimes a birthmark will not manifest until later in life. No one is entirely sure what causes birthmarks; they are simply an illustration of the remarkable diversity of the human race.
A specific family of birthmarks known as vascular birthmarks are caused by malformations of the veins which cause veins to cluster very close to the skin. One notable form of vascular birthmark is a port-wine stain, which takes the form of a large splotch which grows darker later in life. It is also possible to see what are known as “stork bites,” birthmarks which manifest in the form of stippled reddish areas and usually disappear within a few years, or strawberry hemangiomas, raised areas of skin which look vaguely like strawberries.
Mongolian spots are dark brown to purple birthmarks found on many people of African and Asian descent. Other forms of birthmarks include cafe au lait spots, and an assortment of other distinctive markings with equally colorful names.
Some people choose to remove their birthmarks, because they find them unsightly or distracting. Birthmarks can be treated with lasers, surgery, and other techniques, depending on the nature of the birthmark involved, and some faint scarring may be left behind. Others choose to keep or even enhance their birthmarks and beauty spots.
Historically, birthmarks were viewed as manifestations of a mother's thoughts, desires, and experiences during pregnancy. For example, some cultures believed that children would develop red, splotchy birthmarks if their mothers witnessed fires. Others thought that birthmarks were a sign of witchcraft and the devil's influence, and some women with birthmarks found themselves persecuted as witches because of the marks on their bodies.
Written by S.E. Smith
