Hospital Virtual Tour

Port-wine stain - Symptom

Alternative Names

Nevus flammeus

Symptoms:

Early port-wine stains are usually flat and pink in appearance. As the child gets older, the color may deepen to a dark red or purplish color. They occur most often on the face but can appear anywhere on the body.

Signs and tests:

Your doctor can usually diagnose a port wine stain by looking at the skin.

In unusual cases, a skin biopsy may be needed. Depending on the location of the birthmark and other symptoms, your doctor may want to do an intraocular pressure test or x-ray of the skull.

Port wine stain on a child's face

Sturge-Weber syndrome - legs

Reviewed last on: 4/15/2009
Jonathan Kantor, MD, North Florida Dermatology Associates, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Morelli JG. Vascular Disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 649.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)