A port wine stain (medically known as Nevus flammeus) is a birthmark caused by swollen blood vessels which result in a reddish-purplish discoloration of the skin. They occur in about 3 out of 1,000 people and may be associated with certain medical conditions.
Port wine stains start off appearing flat and pink. As the individual ages, their color may deepen to a dark red or purplish color, which is why they are called port wine stains. They can also thicken and develop small lumps. While they occur most commonly on the face, they can appear anywhere on the body. They tend to persist throughout life and, while complications may arise, they aren’t necessarily problematic.
Doctors diagnose port wine stains with a visual inspection. However, in some cases, a skin biopsy may be required. Depending on their location and whether there are accompanying symptoms, other tests including an MRI or CT scan may be done.
Treatments for port wine stains include freezing, surgery, radiation, and tattooing. Laser therapy has been the most successful at eliminating them and is the only method that can destroy the tiny blood vessels in the skin without significantly damaging the skin. Complete disappearance of port wine stains is rare and in about 20% of cases, there may be no improvement at all.
If treatment is unsuccessful, an increase in tissue mass may result in deformity, loss of function (especially near the eye or mouth), bleeding and increasing disfigurement. The presence of a port wine stain on the face or other highly visible part of the body, may cause emotional and social problems for the affected person.
Thanks for helping me understand more about what a port wine stain is. I actually didn’t know that some of the treatments for it would be freezing, radiation, or even tattooing. I’m really curious to learn how these procedures work, and how exactly they can affect the birthmark. Not only that, but it could be cool to see what people come up with in terms of tattoo designs, and how they can be unique to them.