A port-wine stain is a pink or purple birthmark on the skin. It’s also referred to as nevus flammeus. In most cases, port-wine stains harmless. But occasionally, they may be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Port-wine stains are caused by an issue with capillaries, which are very small blood vessels.
Usually, capillaries are narrow. But in port-wine stains, they’re overly dilated, allowing blood to collect in them. This collection of blood is what gives port-wine stains their distinctive color. Port-wine stains may become larger or change shape as capillaries grow larger.
Port-wine stains on the scalp, forehead, or around your eyes, may be a symptom of a condition called Sturge-Weber syndrome.
This condition happens when there are unusual blood vessels in the skin and the surface of the brain, which affects the flow of blood to the brain.
Port-wine stains generally don’t cause any symptoms, aside from their appearance. They usually start out as red or pink. Over time, they can darken to a purple or brown color.
Other characteristics of port-wine stains include:
Most port-wine stains are harmless. But they can sometimes lead to the development of an eye condition called glaucoma if they’re located near the eyes.
Glaucoma involves high pressure in the eye, which can lead to vision loss if not treated. Up to 10 percentTrusted Source of people with a port-wine stain near the eye develop glaucoma.
If you or your child has a port-wine stain near the eyes, check if:
These may all be symptoms of glaucoma, which is treatable with prescription eye drops or surgery.
Also, skin thickening and “cobblestoning” can occur as a result of malfunctioning capillaries. Early treatment of port-wine stains can help prevent this from occurring.
Few medicines which can help in the treatment of port wine stain is:
Aceticum acidum: Patient is anemic with grate debility. Birthmarks [nevi]. Skin dry and hot; red spot on left cheek and drenching night sweats. Skin is pale, waxy œdematous. Burning, dry, hot skin, or bathed in profuse sweat. Diminished sensibility of the surface of body. Pale colour spot.
Fluoric acid: Nævi; burning and itching, worse from warmth. Profuse, sour, offensive perspiration. Mentally elated and gay.
Phosphorus: Tall, slender weak people, narrow chest, with thin transparent skin; with great nervous debility and emaciation. Great susceptibility to external impression. Yellow or brownish spot especially on chest and lower abdomen. Burning all over. Bluish discoloration of the skin. Bluish red spot.