Birthmarks

Birthmarks: Overview Salmon patches: This harmless birthmark will fade with time and tends to be most noticeable when your baby cries or becomes too warm. What exactly is a birthmark? If your baby has a birthmark, you’ll likely see a spot, patch, or lump that looks different from the rest of your baby’s skin. You … Continued

Heart medicine can clear strawberry birthmarks

If you left your dermatologist’s office with a prescription for propranolol (pro-pran-no-lol), you can take comfort in knowing that your baby is getting a trustworthy treatment for a fast-growing birthmark. Why would a dermatologist prescribe heart medication to treat a birthmark? Yes, propranolol is a heart medicine. Today, it can also be a dermatologist’s go-to … Continued

Signs your child’s mole needs to be checked

Moles on a child’s skin are generally nothing to worry about. New moles appear during childhood and adolescence. As the child grows, the moles will naturally get bigger. It’s also normal for moles on a child’s skin to darken or lighten. Some moles fade away. These changes are common and rarely a sign of melanoma, … Continued

When is a mole a problem?

Dermatologist examining a new mole. If you develop a new mole after age 30, a dermatologist should examine the mole for signs of melanoma. #1 problem with moles: Melanoma While most moles are harmless, you shouldn’t ignore yours. Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, can begin in a mole. A bleeding or itchy mole can be … Continued

Scars

Scars: Overview If you dislike the look of a scar, treatment may make it less noticeable. What exactly is a scar? When you injure your skin, your body naturally repairs the damage. How your body repairs this damage depends on how deeply the injury penetrates your skin. If the injury damages the top layer of … Continued