Birthmarks in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Birthmarks are very common in babies and children in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan. Most birthmarks are harmless, and many fade as a child grows. Occasionally, a birthmark can be a sign of another medical condition, so it’s important to know when to have it checked by a healthcare professional.

Parents in the Grand Rapids area can discuss any concerns about birthmarks with their pediatrician or family doctor at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health, or through local clinics and the Kent County Health Department.

What Are Birthmarks?

A birthmark is any colored mark on the skin that is present at birth or appears shortly afterward. Birthmarks can be:

  • Flat or raised
  • Pink, red, purple, brown, blue, or black
  • Small or large
  • Smooth or bumpy

Most birthmarks are benign (non-cancerous) and do not affect a child’s health.

What Causes Birthmarks?

In most cases, the exact cause of a birthmark is unknown. They are not caused by anything a mother did or did not do during pregnancy.

They Happen by Chance

Birthmarks usually develop randomly. They can be related to:

  • Extra or enlarged blood vessels in the skin (vascular birthmarks)
  • An increased number of pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin (pigmented birthmarks)

Can Birthmarks Be Inherited?

Some birthmarks may run in families or look similar to marks that a parent or grandparent has, but most birthmarks are not inherited.

Types of Birthmarks Seen in Grand Rapids Children

Pediatricians and dermatologists in Grand Rapids commonly see several types of birthmarks. Understanding their typical appearance can help you know when to seek medical advice.

Naevus Flammeus (“Stork Bite,” “Salmon Patch,” or “Macular Stain”)

These are very common, especially in newborns delivered at hospitals like Spectrum Health Butterworth or Metro Health.

Typical characteristics:

  • Pink, flat, irregular-shaped marks
  • Skin is not thickened; you can’t feel a difference when you touch the mark
  • Common locations:
    • Back of the neck (the classic “stork bite”)
    • Eyelids
    • Forehead
    • Sometimes sides of the nose or upper lip

Nearly half of all babies have a stork bite.

  • Most fade by about 12 months of age, often earlier
  • Marks at the back of the neck may last longer but are usually covered by hair
  • Forehead, nose, and lip marks may persist longer but often lighten over time

These marks are harmless and usually do not need treatment.

Mongolian Spots

Mongolian spots are another common birthmark that pediatricians in West Michigan see, particularly in babies with darker skin tones.

Typical characteristics:

  • Bluish or blue-gray, flat, irregular patches
  • Usually no thickening or change in the feel of the skin
  • Most commonly found on:
    • Lower back
    • Buttocks
  • Can appear on other areas of the body as well

Mongolian spots are more common in babies of Asian, African, Hispanic, or Native American descent, but can occur in any child.

  • They are harmless
  • They usually fade and become less obvious as the child grows
  • They can sometimes be mistaken for bruises, so it’s important for your child’s doctor to document them in the medical record

Haemangioma of Infancy (“Strawberry Mark”)

These are benign growths of blood vessels and are commonly called strawberry birthmarks. They are frequently evaluated by pediatricians and dermatologists at Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Typical characteristics:

  • Red, raised, lumpy areas on the skin
  • Usually appear at 1–4 weeks of age (not always present at birth)
  • Grow in size for several months, sometimes quite quickly

Growth usually:

  • Speeds up during the first 3–6 months
  • Stops between 6 and 12 months of age
  • Then slowly improves and shrinks over the next few years

Over time:

  • Some disappear by age 2
  • Around 60% are gone by age 5
  • 90–95% are gone by about age 9

The skin in the area of a haemangioma is usually as strong as other skin, but:

  • It can bleed if bumped or scratched hard
  • It can occasionally ulcerate (form a sore), which may be painful and need treatment

When Haemangiomas Need Urgent Attention

Sometimes, a strawberry mark forms in a sensitive area, such as:

  • Near or over the eye
  • Around the nose
  • Inside the mouth
  • In the diaper area (more likely to ulcerate)

If a haemangioma:

  • Pushes on or covers the eye
  • Blocks one side of the nose
  • Ulcerates or bleeds repeatedly
  • Grows very large or distorts facial features

your child should be seen urgently by a pediatric dermatologist or pediatrician. In Grand Rapids, referrals are often made to:

  • Pediatric dermatology at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Pediatric specialists at Trinity Health Grand Rapids or Metro Health

Treatment Options

If a haemangioma is diagnosed within the first weeks of life, treatment options may include:

  • Medications (such as propranolol) to slow or stop growth
  • Laser therapy in selected cases, especially for superficial lesions

If the haemangioma has already stopped growing and is not causing problems, no treatment may be necessary; it can simply be monitored.

In rare cases, if the mark is large, severely disfiguring, or causing functional problems, surgical removal may be considered.

Café au Lait Spots

Café au lait macules are flat, light to medium brown spots that look like “coffee with milk,” which is where the name comes from.

Typical characteristics:

  • Flat, smooth, light brown patches
  • Roughly oval in shape
  • May be present at birth or appear in early childhood

Many children in Grand Rapids have one or two café au lait spots, and these are usually not a sign of any health problem.

When to See a Doctor

You should talk with your child’s doctor if:

  • Your child has more than three or four café au lait spots
  • The spots are large or increasing in number

Multiple café au lait spots can sometimes be a sign of a rare genetic condition, such as neurofibromatosis. Your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric neurologist or geneticist in the Grand Rapids area for further evaluation if needed.

Melanocytic Naevus (Moles)

Moles are very common pigmented birthmarks. They can be congenital (present at birth or in the first year) or acquired (appear later in childhood).

Congenital Melanocytic Naevus

  • Brown spot present at birth or during the first year of life
  • Can be small, medium, or large
  • May be flat or raised
  • Sometimes grow dark hairs

Acquired Melanocytic Naevi

  • Develop in childhood, usually from around age 2 onward
  • Can be:
    • Light to dark brown, blue, or almost black
    • Flat or raised
    • Round, oval, or irregular in shape

Most moles are harmless. However, because Michigan has four distinct seasons and children in Grand Rapids may have increased sun exposure in summer (at Lake Michigan beaches, parks, and outdoor sports), it’s important to protect skin from UV radiation and to watch moles for changes.

Warning Signs of Possible Skin Cancer

Although it is very rare for children to develop melanoma, you should contact your doctor or a dermatologist if a mole:

  • Changes in size, shape, or color
  • Develops irregular or blurry borders
  • Becomes very dark or has multiple colors
  • Itches, bleeds, or becomes crusty
  • Looks very different from your child’s other moles (“the ugly duckling�� sign)

In Grand Rapids, skin checks can be done by your primary care provider, a pediatrician, or a dermatologist.

Capillary Malformations (Port-Wine Stain)

Port-wine stains are flat vascular birthmarks caused by dilated capillaries (small blood vessels) in the skin.

Typical characteristics:

  • Flat, pink, red, or purple patches
  • Can be small or cover a large area
  • Often present on the face, but can appear anywhere on the body
  • Usually present at birth
  • Often become darker and thicker with age, especially around and after puberty
  • Do not fade on their own

Port-wine stains on the face may follow a clear line along the middle of the face and may involve the forehead, eyelids, or cheeks.

Some port-wine stains, especially those on the face or leg, can be associated with other problems and may require further evaluation.

When Birthmarks May Indicate an Underlying Condition

Most birthmarks are harmless. However, certain patterns can be linked to rare conditions, including:

Sturge–Weber Syndrome

Possible signs:

  • Port-wine stain on the upper eyelid and forehead
  • Abnormalities in the brain on the same side as the birthmark
  • Sometimes eye problems, such as glaucoma

Children with these signs may be referred to:

  • Pediatric neurology and ophthalmology services at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or other Grand Rapids specialty centers.

Klippel–Trenaunay–Weber Syndrome

Possible signs:

  • Port-wine stain on a leg (usually)
  • The bones, muscles, and other tissues of that limb grow larger than the other side
  • May also have abnormal veins or lymph vessels

These conditions are rare, but if your child has a large port-wine stain and limb asymmetry, they should be evaluated by a specialist.

Do Birthmarks Go Away?

  • Often fade or disappear:

    • Mongolian spots
    • Haemangiomas of infancy (strawberry marks)

  • Usually permanent:

    • Port-wine stains
    • Most moles (melanocytic naevi)
    • Most café au lait spots
    • Some stork bites (especially on the back of the neck)

Even when birthmarks are permanent, many are small and not noticeable. For larger or more visible marks, particularly on the face, treatment may be considered for medical or emotional reasons.

Treatment Options for Birthmarks in Grand Rapids

Treatment decisions depend on:

  • Type of birthmark
  • Location
  • Size and growth pattern
  • Whether it affects vision, breathing, feeding, or movement
  • Emotional and social impact on the child

Haemangioma of Infancy (Strawberry Mark)

Treatment may include:

  • Observation only – if small, not growing rapidly, and not in a sensitive location
  • Propranolol – a medication that can slow or stop growth and help the lesion shrink
  • Laser therapy – can be used in some cases
  • Surgery – rarely, for very large or complicated lesions

Melanocytic Naevus (Moles)

  • Most moles are monitored with regular skin checks
  • Some may be surgically removed if:
    • They are large or changing
    • They are at high risk for irritation or trauma
    • The child or family finds them very distressing

Capillary Malformations (Port-Wine Stains)

  • These do not go away on their own
  • Laser therapy (such as pulsed dye laser) can lighten the color and improve appearance
  • Early referral to a dermatologist or vascular birthmark specialist is recommended, especially for facial lesions, because appearance can affect a child’s self-esteem

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact your child’s healthcare provider if:

  • You are unsure what type of birthmark your child has
  • The birthmark changes quickly in size, shape, or color
  • A mole or pigmented spot looks unusual or different from others
  • A haemangioma:
    • Grows near the eye, nose, mouth, or airway
    • Ulcerates, bleeds, or becomes very painful
  • Your child has multiple café au lait spots
  • A port-wine stain is on the face or leg, or associated with limb size differences

Local options include:

  • Your GP / family doctor or pediatrician
  • Dermatology clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Pediatric specialists at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Community clinics and resources through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health

If you need a specialist, your primary care provider can refer you to a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist.

Key Points About Birthmarks

  • Birthmarks are very common in babies and children in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
  • In most cases, the cause is unknown and they are not related to anything done during pregnancy.
  • Red birthmarks are usually caused by an overgrowth or malformation of blood vessels.
  • Blue or brown birthmarks are caused by extra pigment cells (melanocytes).
  • Most birthmarks are harmless, but a few may signal an underlying condition or may need treatment.
  • If you notice sudden changes in a birthmark, or if it affects your child’s vision, breathing, feeding, or movement, seek medical care promptly.

For personalized advice, always consult a healthcare provider familiar with your child’s history.