A birthmark is a congenital, benign irregularity on the skin which is present at birth or appears shortly after birth—usually in the first month. Birthmarks can occur anywhere on the skin. [1] A birthmark is a spot or patch on your skin that looks different from the skin around it.

Understanding the Context

Birthmarks are very common and come in many different shapes and sizes. Birthmarks are areas of skin that differ from the surrounding skin. Types include café au lait spot, congenital nevus and hemangioma. Not all birthmarks are present at birth — some develop weeks later.

Key Insights

Birthmarks are usually harmless and don't need treatment. Some fade with time. A birthmark is any abnormal mark, spot, or bump that is present in or around the time of birth on the skin of an infant. Learn the meaning, causes, types, and symptoms of birthmarks and how to remove them. Birthmarks are areas of discolored and/or raised skin that are apparent at birth or within a few weeks of birth.

Final Thoughts

Birthmarks are made up of malformed pigment cells or blood vessels. Although the cause of birthmarks is not known, most of them are benign (noncancerous) and do not require treatment. Birthmarks are abnormalities of the skin that are present when a baby is born. There are two types of birthmarks. Vascular birthmarks are made up of blood vessels that haven't formed correctly. They are usually red.

Two types of vascular birthmarks are hemangiomas and port-wine stains. Birthmarks are colored skin spots that either are present at birth or develop shortly after birth. Birthmarks can be of many colors, including brown, tan, black, pale blue, pink, white, red, or... Birthmarks refer to skin spots that are apparent at birth or shortly afterward.