Salmon Patch (Stork Bites or Angel Kisses) in Newborns

Some newborn babies are born with birthmarks on their skin, which are also known as salmon patches because of their pinkish or reddish tinge. Parents may worry about these patches on their babies’ skin; however, they are common and may fade after some time. If you are intrigued to know more on this topic, then you should read the following article where we share various aspects related to salmon patches in newborns. Let’s begin with understanding what a salmon patch is.

What Is a Salmon Patch?

Salmon patches are dilated blood vessels or capillaries on a newborn baby’s skin. They are also called Nevus Simplex, but in simpler language, they are identified as birthmarks. These flat pink or red patches do not have any defined borders and may appear on both dark and fair skin babies. When a salmon patch appears on the face, it is referred to as ‘angel kiss’, and when it is present on the back of the neck, it is called ‘stork bite’.

Where Are Salmon Patches Found?

Salmon patches are flat, pinkish or reddish patches that can be found between the eyebrows, over the eyelids, around the mouth, on the nose, or on the nape of the neck.

Who Gets Salmon Patches?

All babies have salmon patches before they are born. However, only 70 per cent of the babies may have salmon patches after birth. Though most of these patches disappear within one to two years after birth, some may remain on your baby’s skin even after that.

Are They Infectious?

No, salmon patches are not infectious. These patches appear due to the dilated capillaries on the baby’s skin and not because of a viral or bacterial infection.

Difference Between Stork Bites and Angel Kisses

Angel kisses and stork bites are both salmon patches, but they mainly have two differences. The first difference is in their location – angel kisses appear on the front side, for example, around the mouth or on the nose; while stork bites appear on the backside, i.e. on the nape of the neck. Another point that differentiates stork bites and angel kisses is the timeline they take to fade away. Angel kisses disappear faster than the stork bites. In some cases, stork bites may not disappear and stay on the baby’s skin forever.

How Long Do These Patches Last?

Angel kisses usually do not last very long and disappear after some time, in most cases within a year. However, stork bites most likely remain in approximately 50 percent of the cases.

Can Salmon Patches Be Prevented?

As mentioned earlier, salmon patches are common in babies. There is not enough scientific evidence to prove why they occur in babies. Therefore, If you are looking for ways to prevent these patches, there not much you can do. The patches will appear and either fade away or remain.

What Are the Causes of Salmon Patches?

It is extremely normal for the parents to question what causes stork bites or angel kisses in babies. Parents will also want to know if there is anything that can be done to prevent these patches. The thing is, there is a possibility that birthmarks are inherited. But, as far as causes are concerned, no known cause can establish why salmon patches occur on a baby’s skin.

The stretched blood vessels under the skin may become more pronounced when your baby cries, is upset, or when the room temperature changes. However, it is important for parents to understand that salmon patches are extremely harmless and benign. They will gradually disappear and may not affect the baby’s growth and development.

If you’re thinking how you could identify salmon patches, look for the symptoms given below.

Symptoms of Salmon Patches

Salmon patches can be easily identified by their appearance. Here are some of the symptoms of salmon patch rash or salmon patch:

• They are visible on the face or on the nape of the neck.
• They have a pinkish or reddish tinge.
• They are flat marks on the skin.
• These patches do not have defined borders.
• These patches do not cause any kind of itchiness or pain.

Diagnosis of Salmon Patches

It is suggested that as soon as you notice any mark on your baby’s skin, you should get in checked by your doctor to know whether or not it is harmful to your baby. Refrain from any kind of self-diagnosis and assumptions regarding the marks on your baby’s skin.

Your doctor can easily identify a salmon patch by merely looking at it. However, apart from the appearance, the location of the mark also helps your doctor in making a correct diagnosis. There may not be a requirement for a test or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis unless your doctor feels otherwise.

Treatment of Salmon Patches

There is no requirement of any kind of treatment for a salmon patch. It is recommended that you wait for the patch to disappear on its own, which is usually a year or two after your baby’s birth. Angel kisses or stork marks are extremely harmless and do not cause any kind of medical complications in babies. However, if the birthmark is present after a few years, you may consider salmon patch birthmark removal by laser. If you do not want to go in for laser surgery, then make-up can be used to cover the angel kisses whereas stork marks usually get covered by hair.

When to See a Doctor?

Birthmarks are harmless, and the birthmark skin behaves like normal skin only. If your doctor has confirmed that the mark on your baby’s skin is a salmon patch, then there is no need to worry. However, if you notice any change in your baby’s birthmark, then you need to act immediately. If you notice swelling, bleeding, or any other unusual symptom on or around your baby’s birthmark, you should seek immediate medical help.

A mark on your baby’s body may invoke concern in parents, and it is very normal to feel so. However, it is also true that most angel kisses and stork bites are temporary and may soon disappear. If you have any concerns about salmon patches on your baby’s skin, you should get in touch with your doctor.

References:

• WebMD

Also Read:

Skin Allergies in Newborn
Treating and Preventing Neck Rash in Babies
Home Remedies for Heat Rash in Infants