A port wine stain is a type of birthmark that is dark red in nature, much like the port wine from which it takes its name. Most of the time, these birthmarks are harmless, but in some cases, they may be indicative of an underlying health condition. For this reason, if your child has a port wine stain, he or she should be closely and carefully monitored by a doctor and a dermatologist.

The skin of a port wine stain is often more fragile than the surrounding skin, so it may bleed more readily when scratched or injured. If the stain poses no threat or discomfort to the child, no treatment may be necessary. Otherwise, treatment options to lighten and fade the stain do exist. These include Nd:YAG laser, bromide copper vapor, intense pulsed light, and more.