Naevus simplex, also called a stork bite, is a birthmark that appears as a red or pink mark on the skin. It is commonly found on the back of the neck, in the armpits, or on the eyelids. Stork bites are usually harmless and do not require treatment. However, in some rare cases, they can be associated with diseases such as Klipple-Trenaunay syndrome or Sturge-Weber syndrome. We will take a closer look at naevus simplex, its causes, and its associations with other medical conditions.
What is Naevus Simplex?
Naevus simplex is a vascular malformation that appears as a flat, pink, or red mark on the skin. It is also known as a “stork bite” because it is often seen on the neck of newborns, where the mother’s skin was stretched during pregnancy. Naevus simplex can also occur on the face, eyelids, back of the head, upper lip, or elsewhere on the body. While it is most common in infancy and childhood, it can occur at any age.
Who Gets Naevus Simplex?
Stork bites are benign lesions that occur in approximately 0.5-1% of all births. They are more common in Caucasians than in other racial groups. Females are also more likely to develop stork bites than males.
What Causes Naevus Simplex?
The exact cause of stork bites is unknown. However, they are thought to be caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels in the affected area. This overgrowth occurs during fetal development and is usually resolved by adulthood.
Naevus simplex occurs when there is an abnormal concentration of small blood vessels near the surface of the skin. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How Does Naevus Simplex Affect Children?
In most cases, naevus simplex does not cause any medical problems and does not require treatment. The marks usually fade away over time and do not leave scars. In rare cases, however, naevus simplex can be associated with more serious conditions such as Sturge-Weber syndrome or port wine stains. If you notice any changes in your child’s naevus simplex (e.g., increased redness or swelling), please consult a doctor immediately.
What Do Naevi Look Like?
Naevi are usually flat and pink or red in color. They can vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. In light-skinned individuals, they may become darker when exposed to sunlight (this is called “hyperpigmentation”). In dark-skinned individuals, they may remain the same color or become lighter (this is called “hypopigmentation”).
Where Do Naevi/stork bites Appear?
Naevi can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen on the face (particularly the eyelids), neck (particularly in newborns), back of the head, upper lip, or breasts.
How Are Naevi Diagnosed?
In most cases, naevi can be diagnosed simply by their appearance. In some cases, however, further testing may be necessary to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms (e.g., port wine stains). Your doctor may recommend a biopsy (a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken for laboratory analysis) if there are any concerns about the lesion being cancerous or precancerous.
Disease Associations with Naevus Simplex
Although most stork bites are benign and require no treatment, they can be associated with rare medical conditions such as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and Sturge-Weber syndrome.
If you have a stork bite that does not fade away or that is accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling or pain, you should see a doctor for further evaluation.
Do Stork Bites Go Away?
In most cases, yes—naevi typically fade away over time without treatment. However, they may persist into adulthood in some individuals. If you are concerned about the appearance of your child’s naevus simplex, please consult a doctor or dermatologist for advice on treatment options.
In most cases, stork bites will fade away without treatment within a few years. If they do not fade away on their own, laser therapy can be used to remove them.
How Naevus Simplex can be treated?
There are a few different ways to treat naevus simplex. One option is laser surgery, which uses high-intensity light to remove the growth. Another option is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen. You can also choose to do nothing and simply leave the growth alone.
Laser therapy: This involves using a beam of intense light to destroy the abnormal cells in the naevus simplex. This may cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering at the site of the treatment. Multiple treatments may be required.
How Naevus Simplex can be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to prevent naevus simplex from occurring. However, there are a few things you can do to lower your risk. First, avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays as much as possible. Second, use sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher when you are in the sun
Conclusion
In conclusion, naevus simplex is a common benign nevus that typically does not require treatment unless it is causing distress or anxiety. Treatment options include cryotherapy, excision, and laser therapy. There is no known way to prevent naevussimplex occurrence but you can reduce your risk by avoiding exposure to UV radiation when possible and using sunscreen when necessary. Be sure to speak with your doctor about whether or not laser therapy is right for you before proceeding with treatment as it can be expensive and is not always covered by insurance companies.
