A port wine stain is a birthmark that looks like red wine was spilled or splashed on the skin. These birthmarks can be anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the face, neck, scalp arms or legs. Port wine stains occur in about three out of every 1000 children born.
Port wine stains are not dangerous or painful, but they can be embarrassing as they get darker, or if they are on the face. Port wine stains cannot be prevented and they are not caused by anything the mother did during pregnancy.
Signs of a Port Wine Stain
Port wine stains have a distinctive appearance, but they are shaped differently on every child. At birth the mark often appears pink, but will become dark red or reddish-purple over time.
The texture of the birthmark may also change over time, too. In childhood the birthmark may be smooth and flat, but can thicken and have a pebbled appearance in adulthood.
Diagnosing a Port Wine Stain
Most of the time a doctor can tell if your child has a port wine stain simply by looking at the suspected area. Port wine stains near the eye or on the forehead should be monitored because – in rare cases – they are associated with a neurological disorder that causes problems like seizures, developmental delays and learning disabilities). Stains on the eyelids may also, though rarely, lead to glaucoma, increased pressure inside the eye that can affect vision and lead to blindness if left untreated.
If there is a concern about where your child’s port wine stain is located your doctor may order tests to confirm the diagnosis and look for any underlying problems. These include:
- eye tests
- X-rays
- CT scan – a multi-dimensional type of X-ray that allows the doctor to see underlying tissues in greater detail
- MRI – magnetic resonance imaging, a method of getting images of the body without using x-ray or radiation
Treatment of Port Wine Stains
Shriners Hospitals for Children® offers treatment for port wine stains, sometimes beginning even in infancy.
The most effective treatment for port wine stains is laser therapy. Lasers deliver highly concentrated light energy that can dramatically lighten the port wine stain, especially when the mark is located on the head or neck. Often multiple treatments will be required to fully minimize the appearance of the birthmark.
Laser therapy is not painful, but it can be somewhat uncomfortable. Children may be able to receive an anesthetic during treatment, such as a shot, or topical spray or ointment, to numb the area being treated. Younger children may also be given general anesthesia to help them sleep or relax during the procedure. Following treatment you may notice some swelling or bruising, but the skin will be back to normal within seven to 10 days.
Laser treatments may not get rid of a port wine stain entirely, although some children’s birthmarks will disappear completely after treatment. The birthmark may also come back over time and require additional laser therapy treatments. For some children, laser treatment doesn’t work at all.
If your child’s port wine stain has been treated with laser surgery it’s important to avoid rubbing or scratching the area, and to gently clean the area with lukewarm water. Your doctor may also prescribe an ointment to promote healing and help prevent infection.