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Port Wine Stains

A port wine stain appears as a red/pink birthmark that present from birth and are common among newborns.

Port wine stain

Causes & Symptoms

A port wine stain appears as a red/pink birthmark that present from birth and are common among newborns. They are caused by tiny blood capillaries in the skin. Although it is rarely harmful, it can highly impact an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. This condition gets its name due to the colour the birthmark makes the skin. Unfortunately, the rarely fade, however, they are not signs of any major health problem.

Unlike other birthmarks, port wine stains grow as a child grows, continuing and lasting into adulthood. Not only does the stain get bigger, but the colour can also get darker as well as the skin’s texture changing slightly, becoming thicker than the rest of the skin. Furthermore, the skin can also change from a smooth texture into an almost ‘pebbly’ feel.

Treatment for port wine stains

All dermatologists at The Skin Hospital are highly trained to treat this condition.

There is no known cause for this condition, and you cannot prevent them from happening as it relates to chemical signals in the blood vessels. Furthermore, if an individual has port wine stains on their face or around their eyes it can have serious consequences such as seizures or eye problems. This can lead to problems such as glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Therefore, if this is the case, we highly recommend you see one of our dermatologists.

If you would like further information, visit the sites listed.

Further information

If you would like any further information about port wine stains, the sites listed provide more in-depth descriptions.

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We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which The Skin Hospital operates. For thousands of years, these lands have been cared for by Indigenous communities and their ancestors. We recognise and appreciate their ongoing connection to Country, culture, and community. We also pay our respects to the elders, past and present, of these communities, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have contributed to the cultural heritage of this country.
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