Infant skin conditions

Nevus simplex (stork bite/salmon patch)

This is common in the newborn and in about a third of children may be present at birth or develop in the first few months of life. The lay term for this may blame damage by the stork that is supposed to bring the child into the world but,in fact, a pink/red patch of skin, which darkens when the child cries, gets overheated and blanches on compression, is actually due to a congenital abnormality of capillary malformation in the area. The lesions are usually seen at the nape of the neck, forehead, eyelids, nose or upper lip and tend to grow in line with the growth of the child. Most lesions on the face usually disappear spontaneously in the first 18 months of life but those on the back of the neck may not fade; all are completely harmless and require no treatment, unless persistent after three years and there is concern about appearance. If really necessary, laser treatment may improve the situation.