Some people are born with obvious signs on the skin that can have multiple shapes, colors and sizes, in addition to the fact that they occur in various places on the body. The so-called "cravings" cannot be avoided, some disappear spontaneously with age, while others are permanent. If you have blemishes that you want to get rid of, you can rely on several proven medical treatments. Alternatively, you can try home remedies unsupported by scientific evidence and see if they work.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Verified Medical Treatments
Step 1. Discuss the problem with a dermatologist for a prescription for medication
You can often get rid of vascular spots (such as hemangiomas) with corticosteroids. These medicines slow down the development of skin birthmarks and reduce their size, but do not completely disappear.
- These drugs can be taken orally, injected into the birthmark, or applied topically.
- Among the other medicines used for congenital skin spots, there are propanol and vincristine, which are very useful for hemangiomas (read the last section for more details).
Step 2. Learn about laser therapy as a way to reduce and stop the development of vascular spots
This method involves the use of concentrated light, in short pulses, to fade the color of the stain, reduce its size and, in some cases, stop its growth.
- Laser therapy is used to eliminate vinous nevi and café au lait spots, but it is not always effective. In some cases, relapses have occurred.
- Although it is impossible to completely remove the skin cravings, it is however possible to lighten the color with several sessions of laser therapy.
Step 3. Consider cryosurgery
This procedure involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the portions to be treated and reduce the shade of the stain causing it to peel.
- During the treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to the birthmark to freeze the skin layer above and below. Then, the portion of skin is scraped using a surgical instrument called a curette.
- The various complications of cryosurgery include scar formation and skin whitening.
Step 4. Evaluate surgical excision
This is performed on an outpatient or day-surgery basis and involves the removal of a very limited portion of the external epidermis. Although excision is considered a minor intervention, it is still an invasive practice and all necessary preoperative examinations are necessary.
- This technique is used to eliminate moles and hemangiomas as well.
- Depending on the size of the spot, removal could cause a permanent scar.
- During the surgery, the dermatologist will administer a local anesthetic to desensitize the area and remove the birthmark with a scalpel. Afterwards, the wound will be sutured with absorbable stitches.
- Surgical excision is often used for deep birthmarks.
Step 5. Ask for more details about surgical shaving
It is a type of removal that does not require stitches and is performed either with a traditional blade or with an electric cauterizing scalpel.
- During surgery, doctors use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the birthmark and remove the area around and under the spot with a scalpel.
- Surgical shaving is also practiced for small nevi and rarely requires stitches.
Part 2 of 3: Unverified Remedies
Step 1. Try lemon juice to lighten the skin
This product contains ingredients that are able to whiten the skin in a natural way. However, the effectiveness of lemon juice for treating cravings has not been scientifically confirmed, and for that reason, you should rely on this remedy with some reservations.
- Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to your skin for 20 minutes before rinsing with water. Repeat the treatment several times a week.
- Do not use this product if it causes skin irritation.
Step 2. Give the iodine solution a try
This product is able to lighten congenital spots; however, even in this case there is no clinical evidence. Apply the solution on the birthmark twice a day.
- Remember that iodine solution is a medical product and should therefore be handled with caution.
- Stop using it if you have a bad skin reaction and ask your doctor for more information if you are unsure.
Step 3. Apply olive oil to moisturize the skin
It is a very powerful natural emollient capable of regenerating the skin and making the spots smoother and faded. Spread the oil at least three times a day on the birthmark by letting it dry or by rinsing the area.
Use a cotton ball to apply olive oil directly to the birthmark 2-3 times a day
Step 4. Pour some tomato juice over the blemish
This liquid has lightening properties and can fade birthmarks. After warming it up, spread it over the area to be treated and let it air dry. Repeat the treatment a couple of times a day for a month.
Step 5. Do some research on vitamin A creams to improve cell regeneration of the epidermis
Vitamin A stimulates the mitotic activity of cells and the production of collagen (the protein that makes up the skin). Although vitamin A creams (often called retinoids) are used to treat hyperpigmentation, their effectiveness against congenital birthmarks is still unknown.
Step 6. Spread Vitamin E Oil
It has antioxidant properties and helps to fade congenital blemishes. Mix it with orange oil and apply it on the birthmarks.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the cravings
Step 1. Know if the stain is actually a mole
A mole, or congenital nevus, is a pigmented birthmark caused by the overgrowth of melanin-producing cells. It usually occurs in childhood. Typical characteristics of a mole are:
- Light brown, dark, red, pink, blue or black color;
- Smooth, flat, wrinkled or raised appearance;
- Oval or round shape;
- Typically, it has a diameter of 5-6 mm, but it can also be larger;
- In some cases it may have a hair inside.
- Most moles are completely benign, but in certain situations the spot can turn into cancer. Check for moles carefully and call your dermatologist if you notice any changes.
Step 2. Recognize coffee and milk stains
These are pigmented birthmarks, sometimes caused by a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis. This disease is classified into three distinct types: the mildest (type 1 neurofibromatosis) occurs in childhood and is characterized by flat, light brown spots on the skin:
- Coffee and milk spots can be present at birth or appear in babies and then settle down. They can be treated with lasers, but relapses are common.
- In addition to skin birthmarks, type 1 neurofibromatosis results in the formation of freckles on the armpits, soft nodules above or below the skin layers (neurofibromas or benign tumors), small benign growths in the eyes (Lisch nodules) and / or bone deformities.
- The other two types of this pathology (types 2 and 3) are rarer and are characterized by worse symptoms and tumors.
- If you are concerned that your child has neurofibromatosis, see your pediatrician. It is an incurable disease, but doctors can monitor for complications and treat symptoms.
Step 3. Find out if your birthmark is actually a Mongolian spot
This is a congenital pigmented area of the skin that disappears when the child reaches school age. The characteristics of this type of birthmark are:
- Blue or grayish-blue spots on the buttocks, back, shoulders, or other places on the body
- Irregular shape;
- The skin surface appears normal;
- Dimensions between 2 and 8 cm;
- As these spots disappear spontaneously, no treatment is recommended.
Step 4. Diagnose "salmon spots"
These spots are named for their pink-orange color and are vascular birthmarks caused by malformation of the blood vessels. They typically appear on the forehead, eyelids, nape, nose, upper lip, or behind the head.
- These are congenital signs characterized by pink and flat spots on the skin.
- They generally disappear on their own over time, when the child reaches one or two years of age; in some cases, however, they are permanent.
Step 5. Recognize the vinous nevus
This birthmark is also vascular, but it is usually permanent and does not go away on its own. However, it can fade with different treatments to make it less noticeable.
- Laser treatments, such as those with pulsed laser dye, are the only ones effective against vinous nevi. They are able to lighten the spots, but the best results are obtained on children.
- You can give cosmetic products a try to hide the cravings, in case the laser is unsuccessful.
Step 6. Check if you or your child have hemangiomas
These are vascular spots that appear within a couple of weeks of birth, especially on the neck and head.
- They are characterized by areas of dark skin and disappear within a few months of giving birth, although they can remain for up to 12 years.
- Hemangiomas of the eyes and mouth cause complications, such as ulcers, and sometimes also occur in the internal organs (stomach, kidneys and liver).
- See your pediatrician if you suspect your baby has this condition, which could cause more serious problems.
- Most hemangiomas can be treated or reduced with drug treatments, such as those based on propanol, cortisone, or vincristine. In certain situations, surgery is necessary.
