Birthmarks and congenital moles
Port-wine stains, café-au-lait marks, congenital moles and other birthmarks.
Birthmarks are areas of skin that look different from birth or soon after. They include vascular marks such as port-wine stains and salmon patches, pigmented marks such as café-au-lait macules and congenital moles, and other marks such as Mongolian blue spots.
Most are harmless. A few are linked with other conditions or need monitoring, so it is worth having an unusual or changing birthmark looked at by a specialist.
How We Can Help
- Identifying the type of birthmark and explaining what to expect as your child grows.
- Advice on which birthmarks need monitoring, further tests or referral, and which can be left alone.
- Discussion of treatment options, such as laser for port-wine stains, and referral where appropriate.
When to get urgent help: Have a birthmark assessed promptly if it is a port-wine stain on the forehead or around the eye, a large congenital mole, six or more café-au-lait marks, or any mark that is changing, bleeding or lumpy.
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This page is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice.