Red spots on the face of a newborn can appear at any time under the influence of external and internal factors. Most often, they can be seen on the baby’s body immediately after birth. However, it also happens that the spots persist throughout the first year of life and even longer. They can have completely different outlines and colors.
Such a manifestation can scare parents a lot. However, such formations do not always signal the presence of any pathology. In most cases, red spots on the face of a newborn pass independently, without the intervention of doctors. Newly made mom and dad need to consult a specialist. Only a doctor can determine the cause of the appearance of red spots on the face of a newborn and give the necessary recommendations.
Types of birth spots
Red spots on the body of a newborn are called generic. They have their own distinctive features and are completely unlike rashes with hives, allergies or infections. At risk are white-skinned babies and children born before the due date.
Several types of red dots on the face of a child and other parts of the body are known in medicine.
It:
If parents noticed red dots on the child’s face, the causes of which are unknown, you should consult a doctor. To establish what kind of education belongs to, only a qualified specialist can. While still in the maternity hospital, a newly minted mother can get specialist advice.
Nevus
Nevi are moles or pigmentation of brown or red color. Most often, such formations appear in children at the age of two years or during puberty. Less often, red spots on the face of a newborn baby can be noticed.
Nevi can be of several types.
1. Simple nevus. May present red spots on the cheeks of infants and on other parts of the body. The sizes of formations can be different. Another name for the spots is Unna's nevus, or "angel kiss." The latter is used in everyday life. Unna Nevus can be located on the back of the head, forehead, the area between the eyebrows, as well as on the tip of the nose and lip. The spots are located on the lumbar region and may have the shape of a triangle or rhombus.
Simple nevi are safe rashes. They are located on the skin, not standing out above its surface. Over time, the color intensity decreases. Closer to a year completely disappears. On the face and lower back, nevi can persist for up to one and a half to two years. As a rule, if the child is in a calm state, the formation is barely noticeable. The color intensity increases during crying.
Birth spots in the neck area last longer. They can disappear in adulthood or accompany a child throughout life. Spots do not require treatment. Parents need to know that nevi are an excellent background for the appearance and development of seborrheic dermatitis.
2. Fiery nevus. Have differences from simple formations. Spots do not lose color intensity. In addition, fiery nevi have an elevation above the surface of the skin. Convex spots vary in size, increasing with the child. Formations can be absolutely on all parts of the body. However, most often fiery nevi are located on the face of the baby. Formations do not inflame and do not bleed. There is no itching at the site of the nevus. With age, the convex spot acquires a bluish tint and is accompanied by the appearance of vascular nodules.
If the doctor diagnosed the baby with a nevus of fire, parents should regularly visit a dermatologist and pediatrician. Observation is required. The presence of such an education can cause a deterioration in the quality of life of the child, as it promotes the appearance of complexes, and prevents normal communication with peers. If desired, the stain can be removed with a laser. Timely medical manipulations will save the child from possible problems in the future.
Doctors draw a correlation between fiery nevi and impaired brain function. That is why, in addition to the pediatrician and dermatologist, parents with the child must regularly visit a neurologist.
Hemangiomas
Hemangioma is a formation of immature vessels. Girls are prone to the appearance of such marks. Their hemangioma appears three times more often. By nature, they are birthmarks. A frequent location is the back of the head. The size of the formations can be different and reach fifteen centimeters.
The color of the marks varies from pink to crimson. In some cases, the hemangioma may have a bluish tint.
There are two times the type of hemangiomas:
- Simple. The second name is strawberry hemangioma. Convex formations on the skin surface with a specific strawberry hue. Spot sizes may vary. Moreover, the formation can move smoothly from one area of the skin to another. Closer to ten years, hemangiomas pass on their own without outside interference. If there are more than two such formations on the child’s body, the pediatrician prescribes an ultrasound scan. This necessary measure allows you to determine the absence or presence of hemangiomas within the body.
- Cavernous hemangioma. The second name is cavernous. It is a spot of crimson color. The specific color of the formation is associated with the presence in the deep layers of the epidermis of the cavities that are filled with blood. The spot does not have clear boundaries. The size of the hemangioma may be different. As a rule, by ten or twelve years of life, formations disappear on their own without outside interference. Most often, there is no trace left.
Causes of birth spots
What can cause the appearance of red spots on the face? There are several reasons for the appearance of nevi. One of the most common is hypoxia, which was in a child in the third trimester of pregnancy and during natural delivery. In addition, the appearance of nevi can be a consequence of pressure drops during a cesarean section.
Doctors believe that the appearance of fiery nevi is associated with a violation of the brain of the child.
Is it worth the alarm?
First of all, you should contact a specialist in a medical institution. The doctor will carefully examine the patient and find out the nature of the origin of the marks. Hemangiomas and nevuses do not need treatment. Such formations on the baby's body should not cause anxiety in parents.
If the spots are single, do not worry. If there are more than two specific spots on the baby’s body, additional studies and the supervision of a dermatologist and pediatrician are necessary.
When is treatment needed?
Simple nevi do not need treatment. Fiery nevus amenable to laser exposure. That is why if formations adversely affect the quality of life of a child, it is necessary to contact a medical institution for manipulation.
Simple and cavernous hemangiomas also do not require the intervention of specialists. It is enough to regularly visit a pediatrician and monitor the condition of the neoplasm.
Both types of birth patches pass after the child reaches a certain age. No specific traces remain.
Do spots always pass?
Red spots on the face of a newborn most often pass over time. Simple nevi disappear closer to the year, fiery nevi can last up to 10-12 years. In some cases, red spots on the back of the head in the baby can persist throughout life.
Hemangiomas also disappear on their own without outside interference.
Conclusion
The appearance of red spots on the face of an infant is a fairly common phenomenon. Formations may appear immediately after birth or after some time.
Causes may be impaired brain function, hypoxia, etc. Most often, birth patches pass by themselves. Less often, exposure to laser beams or additional medical procedures.
To establish what kind of red dots on the face belong, can only a qualified specialist. If the formations belong to hemangiomas or nevuses, you do not need to worry about the condition and health of the child.