A distinguishing mark, usually a reddy patch of skin or an unusual mole, that a person has from birth. A significant minority of the population has a birthmark of some sort.

Famous birthmarks:
- Mikhail Gorbachev had a large red birthmark on his head, very visible once he went bald. (My parents named their cat Gorby because of his unusual head markings..)
- A boy in Lord of the Flies who is identified only as the boy with the mulberry (coloured) mark, who mysteriously disappears without a trace after the first confusing night the boys spend on the island.
- more?

There are two main types of birthmarks congenital pigmented skin markings
and nevi(moles). Most birthmarks are nothing more then a marking, they
may be unpleasent to the birthmarkee (even have psychological effects if prominent
enough) but have no medical ramifications. However some birthmarks, such
as Congenital nevi, should be checked out as they have a higher then
normal possibility of becoming cancerous. Permanent birthmarks may be treated with cryotherapy, surgical removal, or laser surgery. People usally wait until their child is at least school age because birthmarks usally fade. In the case of port wine stains on the face sometimes treating them at a young age with a yellow pulsed dye laser to remove or at least fade the stain is a good idea so as to avoid the meaness of children.

• Cafe-au-lait spots
• Nevi or Moles
• Congenital nevi
• Port Wine Stains
• Mongolian Blue Spot
• Strawberry hemangiomas also known as  Strawberries
• Cavernous hemangiomas
• Stork bites also known as Salmon patches

Birth"mark` (?), n.

Some peculiar mark or blemish on the body at birth.

Most part of this noble lineage carried upon their body for a natural birthmark, . . . a snake. Sir T. North.

 

© Webster 1913.