Hairy brown birthmark!

[OzJo]

Dd has just turned 4, and has a large brown birthmark that covers most of her right knee. It's just started to get hairy! Lots of downy pale hairs on it. I haven't gone to the Drs about it...it's just a birthmark and she is blissfully unconcerned about it, but I was wondering if anyone out there had experience of anything similar, as I'm sure she'll get acutely fussed about it later on...ie, is it safe to get the hairs removed? Best left? ( I'd clearly be leaving it for now, just trying to get clued up.) Ta

This will be an interesting watch for me as dd has one on her right shoulder the exact same as you have just described,not really much help lol but thought id share that

I would take her to your GP and get it looked at.

I had a similar large birthmark on my neck when I was a child, and had two operations to remove it when I was 5. The doctors were concerned about its size, and possible development of skin cancer as I got older.

This was 25 years ago, mind, so they probably do things very differently nowadays! But I would still double-check with your GP if I were you.

I also had a brown birthmark the size of my thumb removed from my leg when I was about 15 doctors also cited the worry about skin cancer. I would get it checked over by the docs,just so they can keep an eye on it and make sure it isn't changing or growing. I was told not to pluck or remove the hairs (although I did as they were very dark and thick). My DD has just turned 5 and I was amazed to see that she had started grwing pale hair on her legs about a year ago. For some reason I didn't think that would happen! So long as it isn't bothering her, I think you are doing right by not making a fuss of it.

Good advice....I'll get the GP to have a look next time she's in with something else and see what they think ( they'll probably refer us on to someone else and she'll be 14 before she gets an appt anyway).........

late arrival to this thread - check birthmarksupportgroup.com or caringmattersnow.com - as its sounds like a Naevis - my daughter has one on her face. the current research says that it only slightly increases your chances of skin cancer and it is ok to shave them.