Birthmarks: Branded Since Birth

The appearance of a strange colored marking on the skin at birth has always been

a rather peculiar physiological occurrence, and for some a cause for alarm. Why do people have birthmarks? Is it a disfigurement? Is it a sign of some sort of disease? Could it even have some mystical property?

Although not mystical in the superstitious sense, the answers as to why do people have birthmarks remain mysterious nonetheless. What is known about them is that while they typically appear from birth, there are instances where they emerge after the baby has been born. Some birthmarks eventually disappear as time goes by, while there are others that remain with the person for the rest of their lives. Birthmarks can be either smooth or rough in texture, and they vary not only in shape and size, but also in color; from black and/or blue, to brown, to gray or white, even red, pink or purple.

In spite of how unsightly a birthmark may look, one can take heart that they do not pose any threat to a person's health at all (but one never knows, so it doesn't hurt to have it looked at by a doctor, just in case). While no one is as yet certain regarding exactly why do people have birthmarks, they have been attributed to a few possible causes. It has been said that their appearance might indicate the presence of an additional pigment in the skin. They could also be caused by a grouping together of blood vessels, or perhaps an abnormal growth of particular blood vessels.

As mentioned, birthmarks come in different forms, and they have in fact been classified according to certain unique types. "Salmon Patches" are flat, thin markings that are usually located on the back of the neck, on the upper lip, on the upper eyelid or right between the two eyebrows. Colored either red or light pink, Salmon Patches are also referred to as "Angel Kisses," "Macular Stains," and "Stork Bites."

"Congenital Moles" are brown-colored birthmarks of varied shapes and sizes that can show up on any part of the body. "Cafe-Au-Lait Spots" are normally situated on the torso, the legs or the buttocks, are oval in shape, smooth in texture, and light to chocolate brown in color. "Mongolian Spots" are irregular blue or blue-gray spots located on the lower back or the buttocks. "Hemangiomas" are blue, purple or red-colored markings that appear on the surface of the skin and are caused by an abnormal growth of blood vessels. And "Port-Wine Stains" are caused by a grouping of blood vessels and initially appear pink-red in color after birth before eventually turning a dark shade of red-purple in due time.

Not being a health risk and serving no apparent purpose, the question of why do people have birthmarks remains. And then there is the question of how to regard them. One may look at the birthmark as a blemish cruelly placed by nature or simply one more interesting physical trait that makes a person look unique. Looks may or not matter, but it's all in how one sees one's self.

by: Brian Jones

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