A Skin Lesion in Infants –Nevus Flammeus Simplex
Nevus Flammeus Simplex belongs to a group of skin lesions that are common in infants. Other names used to describe this lesion are Port-wine Stain, Salmon Patch and Angel Kiss.
Professor Danny Ben Amitai, a specialist in pediatric dermatology will teach us everything we need to know about this lesion in the post below.
What are the characteristics of this skin lesion?
Nevus Flammeus lesions are small, pinkish and flat lesions that tend to develop in the midline, especially on the forehead, between the eyebrows, on the eyelids, the upper lip and the nape of the neck. Notice how I’m describing areas that are either in the midline or on either either side of the face. These lesions usually present at birth or in the short period following birth.
How common is nevus flammeus in infants?
Nevus flammeus is found in about 40% of healthy babies.
What does nevus flammeus consist of?
Nevus flammeus is actually an accumulation of dilated blood vessels, that become more prominent when the baby is crying or when there is a change in temperature.
What happens to these lesions with time?
Lesions on the face – tend to remain for several months and it can take up to two years for them to completely disappear. In the rare occasion where the lesion does not disappear after two years, it can be treated with laser.
Lesions on the neck – these are usually permanent but are only of cosmetic concern, and therefore are not typically treated even if they do not disappear.
What type of skin lesions should not be missed?
Nevus flammeus lesions need to be differentiated from lesions that appear only on one side of the face, do not disappear with time and can be deeper, have greater cosmetic concern, or be associated with other medical conditions.
In summary, these are very common lesions that usually improve with time. Either way, they only have no significance beyond cosmetics.
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