Why do birthmarks appear and fade? Are they different from port wine stains?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature and characteristics of birthmarks, specifically focusing on haemangiomas and their differences from port wine stains. Participants explore the timing of appearance and fading of haemangiomas, their causes, and their common locations on the body.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that haemangiomas appear a few days after birth, become raised and red, and then fade over a few years, questioning the reasons behind this timing.
  • Another participant mentions that the cause of haemangiomas is unknown, which complicates understanding their location on the body.
  • A participant expresses a desire to understand the "why" behind the characteristics of haemangiomas, indicating a gap in available information.
  • There is a distinction made between haemangiomas and port wine stains, with the latter being flat and present from birth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the causes or reasons for the characteristics of haemangiomas and port wine stains, indicating that multiple views and uncertainties remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in current understanding, particularly regarding the unknown causes of haemangiomas and the reasons for their specific locations on the body.

frankness
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I have read that birthmarks are caused by abnormalities in the development of the blood vessels, but my question refers specifically to Haemangioma. They appear a few days after birth, the skin becomes quite raised and red, only to fade after a few years.
I was wondering why they take a few days to appear and then fade? Why are they different from port wine stains which are flat and present from birth?
Is there any reason why these marks are often on the face rather than other parts of the body?
 
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Thanks.
I had googled it but could only find the "what" and I was really wondering "why?". Guess it's not been cracked yet, but it's not exactly the most important medical mystery.
 

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