Newborn Rashes and Skin Conditions - Topic Overview
What are the common birthmarks?
Birthmarks come in different sizes, shapes, and
colors. Some are flat and some form a raised area on the skin. Most are
harmless and need no treatment. They often fade or disappear as a child grows
- Salmon patches, also
called stork bites or angel kisses, are flat, pink patches that occur mainly on
the back of the neck, the upper eyelids, the upper lip, or between the
eyebrows. Most go away by age 2 years, although patches on the back of the neck
usually last into adulthood.
- MolesMoles are brown bumps that can occur anywhere on the
- Café-au-lait spots are flat, brown
birthmarks that are usually oval in shape. They may get bigger and darker, and
your baby may get more of them throughout childhood.
- Mongolian spots are smooth, flat, blue or blue-gray
birthmarks, usually on the lower back and buttocks. They often look like
bruises. They are very common among darker-skinned newborns. They usually fade by school age, but they may
never disappear entirely.
- Port-wine stains are pink-red at birth and then become a darker red-purple color.
These birthmarks are formed by blood vessels that did not develop
properly. They can be large. Light port-wine stains may fade, but about half
get bigger as the child grows. Sometimes they get thicker and darker.
- Hemangiomas (say "hee-man-jee-OH-muhs")
are raised, blue, red, or purple birthmarks formed by a clump of blood vessels
that can be any size or shape. Most of them grow for about a year, then turn
white and start shrinking.
For more information, see the
What about jaundice?
Many newborn babies have a
yellow tint to their skin and the whites of their eyes. This is called
jaundice. In newborns, jaundice usually goes away on
its own within a week and does not need treatment. But in rare cases, jaundice gets worse and can cause brain damage. That is
why it is important to call your doctor if you notice signs that jaundice is
getting worse. If you think that your baby's skin or eyes are getting more
yellow, or if your baby is more tired or is not acting normally, call your
doctor. For more information, see the topic
Jaundice in Newborns.