Angel kisses are flat, pale pink to dark pink or red patches on a baby's skin. They're also known as stork bites or salmon patches, and are a type of vascular birthmark called nevus simplex.
Location and Appearance
These birthmarks are commonly found on the:
- Forehead
- Nose
- Upper lip
- Eyelids
- Back of the neck (when located here, they are more often called stork bites)
They appear as small, irregularly shaped patches that are usually not raised above the skin's surface. The color can vary from pale pink to a deeper red.
Causes and Significance
Angel kisses are caused by dilated capillaries (small blood vessels) close to the skin's surface. They are very common, affecting a significant percentage of newborns. These marks are generally harmless and do not require treatment.
Disappearance
Most angel kisses fade significantly, or disappear entirely, within the first one to two years of a baby's life. As the baby's circulatory system matures, the dilated capillaries usually narrow and become less visible.
Other Names
The terms stork bite, salmon patch, and angel kiss are all used interchangeably to describe this same type of birthmark. The specific name used often depends on the birthmark's location.
