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Stork bite

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Salmon patch; Nevus simplex

Treatment:

No treatment is needed. If a stork bite lasts longer than 3 years, it may be removed with a laser to improve the person's appearance.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most stork bites on the face eventually go away completely in about 18 months. Stork bites on the back of the neck usually do not go away.

Complications:

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

All birthmarks should be examined by the health care provider during a routine well-baby examination .

References:

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

• Review Date: 4/12/2007
• Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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