This is a blog article discussing the cause of birthmarks, whether they are rare or not, and what is the reasoning behind the shape.
What is a heart-shaped birthmark?
Heart-shaped birthmarks are not as rare as you might think. They can occur in any race or ethnicity, and they occur in both boys and girls. The most common type of heart-shaped birthmark is called a vascular malformation, and it occurs when there is an overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin. Other types of heart-shaped birthmark include the strawberry mark, which is a red spot that looks like a strawberry, and the butterfly mark, which is a blue or white mark that looks like a butterfly.
How did I get my heart-shaped birthmark?
There is no definitive answer as to how common heart-shaped birthmarks are, but according to some studies, they account for about one percent of all births. This means that there are likely thousands of people out there with this distinctive birthmark. While most heart-shaped birthmarks are benign and fade with time, a small percentage can be associated with a higher risk of developing skin cancer. If you’re concerned about your specific birthmark and want to take precautions against skin cancer, speak with your doctor.
What causes heart-shaped birthmarks?
Most heart-shaped birthmarks are caused by a genetic disorder called congenital nevus lipomatosus (CNL). CNL is a rare disorder that affects the skin, hair, and nails. It causes birthmarks that are usually shaped like hearts, but can also be other shapes. CNL may affect any part of the body, but is most common in the skin, hair, and nails. There is no known cause for CNL. It is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the gene responsible for the disorder will be enough to cause the disease in an offspring. Affected individuals usually have two copies of the defective gene. However, some people with CNL have only one copy of the defective gene. In these cases, they cannot get the disease from their parents or other relatives, and it is not known why this happens. CNL is treated with various medications and surgery. Some people with CNL may require lifelong treatment because the birthmarks can become larger over time. Surgery to remove the birthmarks can be done when they are small, but often must be repeated as they grow larger. Some people with CNL also need to
Why do I have a heart-shaped birthmark?
Heart-shaped birthmarks are not as rare as people think. In fact, they can be found in up to 5% of the population. They can occur anywhere on the body, but are more common on the face and neck. There is no known cause for heart-shaped birthmarks, but they are thought to be caused by genetic mutations.