Sometimes referred to as port wine stains, capillary vascular malformations are present from birth and cause patches of discoloured skin that ranges from pink to purple. These malformations typically occur independently of medical issues and are generally considered harmless.
In some cases, a person may develop more than one port wine stain. Skin discoloration can also appear on numerous parts of the body.
Capillary vascular malformations result from genetic variations. These variations cause large blood vessels to be much closer to the surface of the skin, which contributes to skin abnormalities. In rare cases, port wine stains may be linked to other health conditions, such as:
In the absence of complications, malformations may not require treatment. However, the cosmetic effects of port wine stains can be challenging for many people, which may lead them to seek treatment. In this case, doctors can recommend laser therapy to destroy blood vessels and reduce the appearance of port wine stains.
These treatments are most effective for port wine stains appearing on the neck and face. In some cases, a child may require more than one treatment to see the desired effects.