As might be expected, this type of abnormal skin coloration will appear at birth or in just a few weeks following birth. It's important to remember that most birthmarks are non-cancerous, though a physician should examine your child if he or she is born with abnormally colored skin or develops birthmarks shortly after birth. Certain birthmarks described below can pose health risks.

Pigmented Birthmarks
The discoloration of the skin will appear smooth and flat. These spots are known by several names, including Mongolian spots -- bruised or bluish in color, typically appearing on buttocks; cafe-au-lait spots -- light brown; and typical moles, which are also called nevi. Moles should be monitored for bleeding, color, shape or size changes, or itching.

Macular Stains
These appear anywhere on the body, appearing as mild red marks, but they are not elevated. Macular stains are the most common type of vascular (from blood vessels) birthmark. These marks can come in two forms:

Hemangioma
Hemangiomas are caused by many tiny blood vessels bunched together and vary in severity. Typically, this birthmark can be just that, a mark, or it can grow larger and larger until treated. Hemangiomas can grow very rapidly through the first year of a child's life.

There are two types of hemangiomas: strawberry hemangiomas, which are slightly raised, red birthmarks and can appear anywhere on the body; or cavernous hemangiomas, which are a deeper birthmark characterized by a bluish color.
Most hemangiomas will go away on their own; roughly 50% resolve by age five, 70% by age seven and 90% by age nine.

Reasons to treat hemangioma include problems with functions (such as sight, eating, hearing or defecation), ulceration or pain. Hemangiomas can be treated in different ways, each of which carries its own risks.

Corticosteroid medication, which can be injected or taken orally, is one option for treating hemangiomas. Risks associated with corticosteroid medication include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, poor growth, or cataracts. If corticosteroids fail, there are other medications that may be an option.

Certain hemangiomas can also be treated with lasers to stop them from growing. Risks associated with that treatment include ulceration and scarring.
In some cases, a hemangioma can also be removed with surgery. Other times, a combination of these approaches is the most beneficial treatment.

Port-wine Stains
Port wine stains are caused by abnormal development of blood vessels (capillaries) and last a lifetime. The port-wine stain (also known as nevus flammeus) appears as a flat, pink, red or purple mark, and occurs on the face, trunk, arms, or legs.
If you or your child has a port wine stain present on eyelids, this is thought to pose an increased risk of glaucoma, an eye disease associated with increased pressure in the eyes that can lead to blindness if it's not treated.

Physicians have tried many ways to treat port wine stains, including radiation, tattooing, freezing, dermabrasion, or sclerotherapy. Laser treatment is currently the only method that destroys capillaries in the skin without causing damage to the rest of the skin.

Port wine stains may be seen in certain medical disorders, including Sturge-Weber Syndrome, with symptoms that include port wine stains on the face, vision problems, convulsions, mental retardation and perhaps even paralysis; and Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome which may include symptoms of many port wine stains, varicose veins and/or too much bone and soft tissue growth. Each of these syndromes is very rare.

Pigmentation Loss As a Result of Skin Damage
If you've had a skin infection, blisters, Birthmarks or other trauma to your skin, you may have a loss of pigmentation in the affected area. The good news with this type of pigment loss is that it's frequently not permanent, and cosmetics can be used to cover the area.