Birthmarks

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Even though most birthmarks do not cause physical harm, they may make you or your child feel shy or self-conscious. Each person is different and reacts differently to a birthmark: what bothers one person may not bother another. Parents of a child with a birthmark can reduce the impact that it has on their child's life by understanding and accepting that the birthmark is normal.

If you or your child is bothered by a birthmark, talk with your health professional. There might be treatment options, makeup, or hairstyles than can hide a birthmark, and/or support groups and counselling that can help.

If your child has a raised birthmark, the following may be helpful:

• Avoid scraping or scratching it. Hemangiomas contain blood vessels that may bleed.
• If a hemangioma becomes sore and bleeds (ulcerates), apply pressure to the area continuously with a clean pad for 10 minutes and contact your health professional for more advice.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to small injuries to a birthmark. If the injury is large, contact a health professional.
• When a hemangioma starts to shrink, the skin may become soft and easily damaged by the sun or by rough treatment. Ask your health professional how to care for it.

After your child's birthmark has been treated with surgery or laser therapy, keep your child's fingernails trimmed short to prevent him or her from scratching the treated area. It also is important to keep your child out of the sun for several weeks after surgery. Until your child's treated areas are completely healed, use sunscreen on the treated areas when your child is out in the sun.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley	Last Updated: June 26, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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