what is a birthmark

A birthmark is a congenital, benign irregularity on the skin that is present at birth or appears shortly after birth, usually within the first month. Birthmarks can occur anywhere on the skin and are caused by overgrowth of blood vessels, melanocytes, smooth muscle, fat, fibroblasts, or keratinocytes. There are various types of birthmarks, including pigmented birthmarks like moles and vascular birthmarks like port-wine stains and angel kisses. Most birthmarks are harmless and may go away as the child grows, but occasionally, a birthmark may be a sign of other problems or diseases. It is important to have a doctor check a birthmark when it first appears to determine its type and whether it requires monitoring or treatment. While the cause of most birthmarks is unknown, they are not caused by anything the mother did during pregnancy, and they are not hereditary in most cases.