Port wine stain

Port-wine stain (also known as nevus flammeus) is a vascular malformation characterized by swelling or overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin. This results in a reddish to purplish discoloration of the skin, resembling the color of port wine, hence the name.

Signs and Symptoms

Port-wine stains are present at birth and usually appear as a flat, pink, red, or purple mark on the skin. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face, neck, scalp, arms, or legs. Over time, port-wine stains may become thicker and develop a pebbly texture.

Causes

Port-wine stains are caused by an abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin. The exact cause is unknown, but it is not caused by trauma, injury, or other external factors. It is not inherited, meaning it does not run in families.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of port-wine stains is usually based on a physical examination. The doctor may use a wood's lamp to examine the skin more closely. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for port-wine stains includes laser therapy, which can lighten the color of the stain and make it less noticeable. Other treatments include dermabrasion, surgery, and cosmetic camouflage.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with port-wine stains is generally good. However, the stain is permanent and may cause emotional or psychological distress due to its appearance.

See Also

• Sturge-Weber syndrome
• Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
• Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis

References

Port wine stain Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski