Two friends of mine have visible birthmarks and they asked me to write something about it. From my point of view, birthmarks are natural tattoos we get from birth and serves as some form of identification. There have been instance where a missing person was found because of their birthmarks and even some parents who gave up their babies later found them as a result of their birthmarks.
Birthmarks are blemishes on the skin that are noticeable at birth or shortly afterwards. Nobody really knows what causes birthmarks and it may or may not be hereditary. The types of birthmarks are; café au lait spot, congenital melanocytic nevus, Mongolian spots, hemangiomas, telangiectatic nevus, port wine stain and silver mark. Experts do not fully understand why some babies have birthmarks while others do not. Most experts agree that vascular birthmarks are not inherited.
An over accumulation of cells that make up the lining of the baby’s blood vessels are believed to cause the development of strawberry marks. In some cases, experts believe that a tiny piece of placenta may have got lodged inside the developing embryo very early during pregnancy. If the nerves that control the widening or narrowing of capillaries are damaged, there is a risk of port wine stains, especially if the capillaries are permanently widened in one area. Salmon patches are caused by an accumulation of capillaries under the skin. Some experts also believe that some proteins produced by the placenta during pregnancy may be linked to a higher risk of developing some types of birthmarks.
A significant number of birthmarks fade away without any need for treatment. However, if the birthmark causes health problems, or if the patient feels strongly about getting rid of it, the doctor may recommend treatment.
Do you have a birthmark? Have you identified your birthmark? Whether you have or do not have a birthmark, it does not make more or less of a person.
AFRO387 