What are Portwine Stains?
Port-wine stains are vascular birthmarks that are red to purple colored marks on the skin. They are made of enlarged blood vessels. Severe port-wine stains can be associated with underlying neurologic or vascular abnormalities.
CAUSES
Port-wine stains are caused by abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin. These birthmarks occur when capillaries (small blood vessels) remain dilated, allowing blood to accumulate and cause a red or purple discoloration. They are congenital, meaning they appear at birth, and result from a genetic mutation that affects vascular development in the skin.
RISK FACTORS
The primary risk factor for port-wine stains is genetics, though they are not usually inherited. They are associated with certain conditions like Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Port-wine stains can affect anyone regardless of gender or race, and they are usually present from birth, growing proportionally with the individual.
Before and After
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