PORT WINE STAIN

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.

CAUSES OF PORT WINE STAIN

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.

SYMPTOMS OF PORT WINE STAIN

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:

• Size: They can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
• Location: Port-wine stains tend to appear on one side of the face, head, and neck, but they may also affect the abdomen, legs, or arms.
• Texture: Port-wine stains usually start out being flat and smooth. But over time, they may become thicker or slightly bumpy.
• Bleeding: The skin of a port-wine stain may be more prone to bleeding when scratched or injured.

COMPLICATIONS OF PORT WINE STAIN

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:

• one eye has a larger pupil than the other
• one eye appears more prominent
• one eyelid is open wider than the other eye

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.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR PORT WINE STAIN

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.