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Original poster

HV came today and said she thinks DD should be refered to a specialist over her birth mark...

26 replies

DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 14:55

Im a bit upset TBH.

I mean I know its visable and on her face but we don't see it as an issue (especially DH who is very protective and defensive about it) and he said this to the HV.

In a way I would like to go because we don't know if it even IS a birthmark yet and if it is what kind it is. I would like to know whats likely to happen in the future regarding fading/getting darker etc... but the thought of seeing a specialist makes me feel like its something 'wrong' with her and we want to 'get rid of it' which isn't the case.

I mean Id rather it wasn't there for her sake but it makes no odds to us she is our gorgeous little princess.

Im just getting pissed off with it being mentioned EVERYtime we meet a new healthcare person and having to go through it with people asking whats that mark on her face.

Shes only 3 weeks old FFS!

Am getting upset now

OP posts:
Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 14:56

and ive discussed it with 2 GPs now (they brought it up not me) and both of them and all the midwives have just said 'it may be one, it may not' so thats all we have to go on.

OP posts:
ilovelovemydog · 14/01/2009 15:01

What is it?

Something that will fade in time?

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 15:15

we dont know, noone has told us anything.

OP posts:
PinkTulips · 14/01/2009 15:50

what colour is it, could you google images for birthmarks and see if you can find anything that looks similar to what she has?

birthmarks can vary hugely in colour and texture but they are generally classified into a few differnat types so you should get a general idea of what it is.

i know some types (the reddish purply ones) can alter the blood flow to that area alot so maybe if it's near her eyes/nose the HV is concerned that as she grows it could cause other complications?

going to see the specialist doesn't equate to wanting it gone... but it could turn up medical complications that could mean you'd be happier if something was done (although afaik they very rarely do anything about facial birthmarks on babies/children)

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 17:00

Ill have a look on google

OP posts:
Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 20:36

Actully wished I hadn't

OP posts:
ilovetochat · 14/01/2009 20:37

don't worry yourself too much with stuff on the internet.

norksinmywaistband · 14/01/2009 20:37

Disenchanted what did google say, are you ok?

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 20:58

Yea Im OK, its just I came across a website of a lady who had a very similar birthmar to Rorie, and as a grown up it was much more noticable and... i dunno

i didn't even read the info, just looed at her photos and got a bit wobbly

but then i saw ALOT of them that were much worse, and there are so many people struggling with REAL problems with their babies so on the other hand i feel quite selfish and shallow

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shubiedoo · 14/01/2009 21:08

I don't know if this will help, but here goes...

Ds2 had a very prominent, dark, raised birthmark all over his forearm and wrist at birth. It's called a haemangioma (spelling probably wrong!) They generally fade on their own, nothing is done unless it hasn't faded much by the time the child is 3 (when they may become self-conscious about it.) He's 2 now and it has faded so much that it looks like a light rash, maybe eczema. I'm happy just to leave it, by the time he goes to school I'm sure it will have nearly faded away altogether.

The other main type of birthmark is a port wine stain, this type doesn't fade, you often see older people with them who wouldn't have had laser treatment.

It's no harm just to find out what it is, I'm sure nobody is going to recommend treating it for a long while, your dd is still very small.

Good luck, I'm sure she will be fine!

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 14/01/2009 21:13

Hiya

it really doesnt look like either though.

I think your DS has a strawberry mark? Raised?

and a port wine stains look too red to be what she has i think.

also hers lightens and darkens, i think port wine stains are just sort of thick and 'there'

whereas Rories, now that she is sleeping is barely noticable, but when she cries its very prominent.

OP posts:
spicemonster · 14/01/2009 21:14

I think you've answered yourself though:
'In a way I would like to go because we don't know if it even IS a birthmark yet and if it is what kind it is. I would like to know whats likely to happen in the future regarding fading/getting darker etc... '

That is probably all they're concerned about you - because they probably want to know that your fears (and those are fears that you've outlined above) are going to be allayed. I have a friend whose son had a very prominent mark on his face when he was little but it had totally disappeared before he'd even started school so it just meant she never worried about it.

It doesn't mean that they think you think there is something wrong with her, I'm sure.

alibobins · 14/01/2009 21:23

Hi I replied on your old thread about my Ds having a very similar mark in the same place if I took a photo now whilst he's asleep you wouldn't notice it I would but that because I know where it is.
Some times its really prominate an we have been asked several times what he's done to his face
Ds was refered to a dermatologist over another issue and we mentioned it to her and took in a photo of when it stands out.
She was really helpful and glad we took in the picture she said it was an abnormal vascular nevus.
Not really sure what one is but we are awaiting an mri scan to find out how much area it effects then she will discuss it more with us
Ds is now 4 and it hasn't caused him any problems.

pralinegirl · 15/01/2009 20:00

I'd phone the Birthmark Support Group - google them for number. They will advise you but not judge you one bit for wanting to know more. When your child is older they will want to know more and you will cope better whatever happens if you can tell people about it. The gp should be able to refer to a local dermatologist. My advice is to ring BSG, I googled myself ill with worry. They can even put you in touch with a local person who's had experience which is similar. You are not loving your child less by looking into it, don't feel guilty.

Winetimeisfinetime · 15/01/2009 20:07

Disenchanted my dsis had a birthmark on her face when she was born = on her forehead just above the bridge of her nose. It darkened when she cried like your dd's. My mum was really upset about it at the time.It just gradually faded as she got older until it went altogether.
It's a long time ago now but I do seem to remeber it being described as a atork mark.

Lulumama · 15/01/2009 20:09

DD had a small heamongeonoma ( strawberry ) birthmark on her stomach, noticed a couple of days after birth, HV said it could get to the size of a 50 pence piece and would go by the time she as 5 or 6. as it happend, it stayed v small, and hardly raised and has virtually disappeard by the time she was 2.5

try not to worry

Habbibu · 15/01/2009 20:14

DD had something like that, actually - it wasn't terribly noticeable, but you could see it when she cried. It's completely disappeared now (she's 2).

tbh, the wondering and worrying is prob worse than anything a specialist might tell you. More than likely they'd say - she'll grow out of it, go home...

pralinegirl · 15/01/2009 20:18

Should have added, they may say it will either completely or mostly fade over time - this is very common, but put your mind at rest and then you can get on with everything else! But you're right - I got well fed up with people asking what it was!

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 15/01/2009 20:23

thankyou

The HV said that the GP can refer her at her 8 week check but I could go to my GP now and ask for one too if I wanted.

Which would you do?

Google scared me as it showed small red rashes that grew into much more prominent and visable purple marks. And was also mentioning side effects that occour when they are near the eyes.

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Nellycake · 15/01/2009 20:36

I have a large port wine birthmark running the length of my arm. It does draw attention, as it can be seen on the lower part of my neck and obviously in the summer, when I wear short sleeves, it's easy to see.

My parents never made an issue of it and most of the time, it doesn't bother me. Importantly, all my friends and family don't even notice it and I can assure you I was never bullied about it ever. All I was ever told was that it was a birthmark and I accepted that as a child. Children are very accepting so if your child does have a lasting mark, don't worry about it.

Interestingly, it was only when I was 23 and having my wisdom teeth out that a health professional (the anaesthetist) asked if I'd had a specialist look at it, which I never have. As I've got older, it's caused me some annoyance - mainly when people talk to my neck rather than my face! And you always get the odd ignorant adult who'll either ask what it is or make some comment about it.

Personally, if I had a child with any sort of a mark, I would get it checked out by a specialist, not because I would be ashamed or anything, but so I knew I had given my child every chance of having options for treatment if appropriate or necessary. But what I want you to know more than anything is that people with birthmarks obvious or not, get on fine.

(Incidentally shubiedoo I don't consider myself 'old' - I'm only early 30s!)

Nellycake · 15/01/2009 20:38

PS the internet can be a very dangerous place when it comes to medical things so don't get upset by what you researched - everyone is different.

Original poster
DisenchantedPlusBump · 15/01/2009 20:45

thankyou nelly

can i ask a question? please feel free to refuse to answer but your portwine stain, is it solidly there or is there small areas where skin underneath can be seen? and does it go darker when you are uspet or stressed?

when you put a finger on DDs it goes white, like her 'normal' skin for a second or so, do PWSs do this?

am just trying to figure out if it is one of these

OP posts:
SueW · 15/01/2009 20:49

A friend's son had a large mark on his head and face. When he was around 2-3yo I think he had a series of laser treatments to get rid of it, or at least the part on his face.

He had to have sedation/anaesthetic to keep him still under the laser and after each treatment he had 'pulse' marks. I think it took about a year to get rid of it, with 2-3 months in between each treatment.

Nellycake · 15/01/2009 21:01

If you press it it goes white like "normal" skin, but only for a split second. Mine isn't raised so to the touch it feels like "normal" skin.

The only colour changes I get are to do with temperature. If I'm cold, it gets darker, if I'm warm it goes more pink. That's all to do with blood flow - it happens to everyone you can just see it more clearly with a PWS.

pralinegirl · 15/01/2009 21:07

I'd ask GP for a referral now - who knows how long you'll have to wait to be seen by specialist and why worry any longer than you have to - but please, please stay off the internet.