Do Birthmarks Cause Skin Diseases?

An accomplished healthcare professional, Rajan Bhatt is board-certified in cardiovascular and internal medicine and has practiced for over a decade. Rajan Bhatt also leads several healthcare facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, including Spectrum Dermatology, where he oversees a team of dermatological professionals who treat various skin conditions.

There are three significant birthmarks: hemangiomas, pigmented birthmarks, and congenital moles. Hemangiomas cause red vascular irregularities on the skin that result from abnormal clustering and clumping of blood vessels. Medical professionals characterize pigmented birthmarks as dark patches that look like bruises and can spot congenital moles since they look like colored patches that appear right at birth or shortly after. Each birthmark is generally harmless and doesn’t lead to concern by medical professionals.

Although birthmarks are often harmless, some birthmarks have the potential to transition into skin cancer or trigger skin breakdown. Dermatologists can evaluate birthmarks for these risks and recommend preemptive treatment to prevent these potential complications. For this reason, it’s essential to have all birthmarks evaluated.