Port wine stains

What are port wine stains?

A port wine stain is a pink or red mark on the skin, usually present at birth.They represent malformation of the superficial dermal capillaries. These fade within the first year of life in 50% of patients.

What causes port wine stains?

Port wine stains develop in areas lacking the small nerves that control the ability of blood vessels to constrict. As a result, the blood vessels stay open all the time, and this shows up as a permanent blush in the area. Port wine stains occur in about 3 per 1000 births, affecting males and females and all racial groups equally.

Are they hereditary?

Usually they are not.

What are the symptoms of port wine stains?

Usually there are none, but they may look unsightly. They can cause a lot of embarrassment on visible areas such as the face. A lot can be done to reduce their psychological impact, including the treatments discussed below, camouflage, and advice from patient support groups. Later in life port wine stains can become bumpy, raised and difficult to cover with makeup. When the bumpy areas are scratched they may bleed easily. Port wine stains of the eyelids area and upper jaw sometimes lead to increased pressure within the eye. Rarely such patients may be prone to seizures and require further investigation. An extensive port wine stain of a limb is occasionally associated with an increased growth of that limb.

What do port wine stains look like?

Port wine stains are red or purple areas. They usually affect only one side of the body, seldom extending across the midline. They can come up on any area of the skin, but the face and upper trunk are the most common sites. The pink, smooth and flat port wine stains of babies eventually become red and then purple, darkening and even thickening with age. Port wine stains persist, enlarging in proportion as the body grows. In adult life, their surface becomes uneven and bumpy, and bleeds easily.

How are port wine stains diagnosed?

Port wine stains are recognised by their typical appearance.

Can port wine stains be cured?

They can be made much less obvious by the treatments listed below.

How can port wine stains be treated?

Laser treatment Treatment with laser is available St Mellion Clinic. It helps most patients, particularly if the mark is on the face, but may not clear the port wine stain completely. Different setttings are used with each treatment, which can be given at monthly intervals. Depending on the size and site of the birthmark, up to 10 treatment sessions may be required at intervals of 8 weeks or so. Port wine stains on the limbs respond less well than those on the face. Treatments given early in life, before the birthmark becomes thickened, are more successful than those used later on. Cosmetic camouflage Cosmetic or camouflage creams are often very helpful. Expert advice is available in special dermatology centres. Changing Faces and the Disfigurement Guidance Centre also offer a comprehensive service for patients and their families with all types of birthmark.