Detection of pigment spots on the skin of a child is alarming not only the baby's parents, but also doctors. Are such neoplasms dangerous, do they need to be removed? We will answer these questions, and also tell you why age spots appear in children.
What are age spots?
Human skin is a complex protective mechanism that protects the body from excessive moisture loss, adverse external factors, and the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. In the described processes, melanin plays an important role. But an excess of this substance leads to its point accumulation. This concentration of the substance is called skin pigmentation. About the factors that contribute to the development of this condition, we will discuss below.
Reasons for education
Have the child noticed age spots? The reasons for their appearance may be different. In the medical literature there are two large groups of factors that can provoke the formation of pigmentation on the skin:
So, the genetic predisposition belongs to the first category. If the next of kin is prone to the formation of age spots, then the likelihood of their occurrence in the child is also high.
Also congenital factors include skin neoplasms, which appear as a result of complications arising in the process of labor.
Acquired Factors
Does the child have age spots? The causes of this condition may be a disease of the internal organs or the negative impact of external factors. In particular, the following factors can provoke the appearance of skin neoplasms:
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- injury;
- hormonal changes;
- metabolic disease;
- a sharp change in climate and diet;
- taking certain medications.
Views
In children, including newborns, the following types of age spots are found:
- hemangioma;
- "coffee" birthmarks ;
- "kiss of a stork";
- nevus;
- "Mongolian spot" ;
- freckles.
In some cases, the removal of age spots is required, in others there is no such need. Therefore, it is important to conduct a medical examination of the baby in a timely manner to determine the type and nature of the skin lesion.
We will tell you more about each type.
"Coffee" age spots
This type of skin pigmentation is common in newborns. The color of the neoplasms can be from light beige to dark brown. Such pigment spots appear in children on any part of the body, but are more common on the face, arms, legs and back.
“Coffee” neoplasms can occur during the first two weeks of a baby’s life, and then disappear without a trace after a few months. There is no need to treat such spots - they do not cause any disturbances in the healthy functioning of the body crumbs.
What is hemangioma?
Hemangioma is a pink or red spot on the skin. Its difference from other types of age spots is that it is not an accumulation of melanin, but a benign tumor, which is formed as a result of damage to blood vessels. According to medical statistics, such age spots in children of the first six months are common. In addition, it is noted that among girls, such neoplasms are more common.
The reasons for the development of such a tumor are intrauterine disorders of the formation of the circulatory system of the fetus, as well as complications during childbirth. In 70% of cases, the neoplasm disappears on its own by 7 years. Of the remaining 30%, 10% of children have hemangioma involution in adolescence. This happens due to changes in the hormonal background.
This type of age spots can form not only on the skin, but also on the internal organs, disrupting their work. Therefore, hemangioma can be dangerous to the health and life of the child. If pink or red pigment spots appeared on the child’s hand, face, occipital region, abdomen, then there is a need for a complete medical examination of a small patient and further specialized monitoring of tumors.
Should hemangioma be treated?
Such a skin defect in children, such as hemangioma, is recommended to be removed in the following cases:
- rapid tumor growth is noted;
- pigmentation color has changed;
- the spots are bleeding.
Hemangioma treatment can be conservative and surgical. The latter is carried out for babies older than three months in the presence of medical indications. Removal of age spots is also possible with the help of such conservative methods as:
- cryotherapy;
- quinine injections;
- radiation therapy;
- electrocoagulation.
Teleangiectasia or "stork bite"
Every third newborn is born with pink spots on the back of his head, temples, forehead or cheeks. In the people, such pigmentation is called a “stork bite”, while in medicine it is denoted by the complex term “teleangioectasia”.
The reason for the appearance of these spots is the intrauterine pressure of the bones of the mother's pelvis on the baby. This happens at the end of the third trimester, when the fetus occupies an occipital position with the head down in the uterus. In addition, during passage through the birth canal, trauma to the skin is also possible, which leads to the formation of such pigmentation in the newborn.
Teleangiectasias may gradually become paler, but in some cases remain for life. Such pigment spots in children are not dangerous for health and cannot be treated.
Is nevus dangerous?
Nevus is nothing but a mole. But, as you know, such spots under certain conditions can transform into a malignant tumor. Therefore, such skin defects require medical supervision. If the color, size of the spot, the formation of nodules on it, the presence of a large number of moles change, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the neoplasms as soon as possible for their good quality.
The cause of the appearance of nevi can be a genetic predisposition or endocrine disease. Depending on the reasons for the formation and nature of pigmentation, the doctor may recommend conservative or surgical treatment.
"Mongoloid spot"
This type of pigmentation is a type of nevus. Outwardly, it is a large pigment spot in a child, similar to a hematoma, which is most often found on the buttocks, lower back or leg. In 90% of cases it occurs in children of the Mongoloid race. In our country, most often with this skin defect babies are born from mixed marriages. The causes of the appearance of the "Mongoloid spot" are the genetic characteristics of melanin production in representatives of certain nationalities: Chinese, Japanese, Africans, Indians, Pakistanis and some others.
Such a pigment spot does not pose any danger to the baby’s health and in most cases disappears or significantly brightens on its own by 5 years.
Freckles
Freckles, or "sun kisses," appear in children older than a year with a genetic predisposition. They are a tone darker than the main skin color. In addition, in the summer season, under the influence of sunlight, the spots become brighter, but in winter, on the contrary, turn pale. Orange-brown "hemp" covers the cheeks, forehead, chin. Freckles also occur on the shoulders, back, legs.
Such pigmented skin was previously considered a characteristic feature of people of the lower class. Today freckles are a reflection of the individuality of their owner. In addition, it is noted that such spots gradually fade, starting at the age of 25.
Nevertheless, quite often, owners of "sun spots" turn to specialists to remove such pigmentation. There are a variety of methods for eliminating freckles:
- cosmetic whitening products and folk recipes;
- cryotherapy;
- chemical peeling;
- laser therapy;
- dermabrasion;
- removal by light waves.
But before deciding to use the above methods, it is worth considering that the removal of age spots always leads to trauma to the skin, and irreversible complications often arise.
Thus, any neoplasms on the skin of the child require examination and observation. If in some cases, age spots in children are completely harmless, in others they are dangerous for the baby. Therefore, timely detection of the problem and the provision of necessary medical care can maintain the health of the crumbs.