Is mottled skin on a baby anything to worry about? Possibly, as it can be a sign of serious illness. However, mottled skin is quite common in premature babies when they are in neonatal hospital care. But if you notice mottled skin on your baby whilst at home, then you should either call your GP or NHS 111.
What causes babies to have mottled skin?
Mottling is not uncommon in premature or ill babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. In other babies, it could be due to a congenital heart problem, poor blood circulation, or an infection. Tell your baby’s healthcare provider or a nurse right away if you notice mottling.
Is mottled skin normal in infants?
Mottled skin in newborn babies
Some newborn babies have mottled skin. Usually, this benign condition goes away on its own. Exposure to cold temperatures frequently causes it. Treatment includes keeping the baby warm and avoiding the cold.
Why is my baby’s skin marbled?
Marble skin is a common condition in babies. Children and adults can have it too. Livedo reticularis. Also called marbled skin, livedo reticularis is a normal and usually harmless body response that causes your skin to become pale and covered in red or purple patterns.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s mottled skin? – Related Questions
What does mottled skin indicate?
Accidents, trauma, blood loss, infections, poisons, or burns can cause shock. Mottled skin accompanied by other symptoms can be a sign of shock and requires immediate medical help. The symptoms of shock include: mottled, cold, or pale skin.
How do I know if my baby has poor circulation?
The most common symptoms are:
- bluish-colored fingers or toes.
- cold, clammy, and sweaty hands and feet.
- lower skin temperatures and blood flow.
- swelling of hands and feet.
- a “normal” pulse.
What does marbled skin look like?
Mottled skin is easy to spot as it has blotchy, red, and purple colors. It can also appear anywhere in the body and can go away on its own. If it doesn’t go away on its own, you can go to your doctor and let yourself be checked.
Why is my baby’s skin two different colors?
Babies can have a variety of skin colors when they are born. A baby’s skin color can change over time and should settle fully at around 20 months old. Due to the nature of genetics, a baby may look more like one parent than the other, or may not look like either. Certain skin colors are typical for a newborn baby.
What does marbling of the skin look like?
Mottled skin has irregular coloring, which can be reddish or purple. This discoloration is generally patchy and uneven and can look like spots or streaks. The spots can also connect, creating a net-like pattern. Healthcare professionals often refer to mottled skin as livedo reticularis.
Is it normal for babies to have skin discoloration?
Over half of all newborns develop some amount of jaundice, a yellow coloring in their skin and eyes, during the first week. This is usually a temporary condition, but may be a more serious sign of another illness. Jaundice is caused by the breakdown of red blood cells.
Why do babies look dark sometimes?
But a newborn’s skin darkens slightly as more of the natural pigment that gives it colour – melanin – is produced. So it’s normal for your baby’s complexion to change a bit on it’s own at first. Newborn skin varies in appearance according to how many weeks pregnant you were when your baby was born.
What causes dark patches on baby skin?
Cafe-au-lait spots can form when pigment-producing cells called melanocytes group together under the skin. Some babies have them at birth, but they can also develop during early infanthood. The spots can occur in all skin tones, though they seem to affect Black babies slightly more often.
How do I know if my baby has vitiligo?
White patches are the main vitiligo symptoms. Patches are commonly found on the hands, feet, arms, face and lips, and children with vitiligo may also notice white hair. In some children, vitiligo patches don’t spread, and in others they do. It is not usually a life-threatening condition.
Where does vitiligo first appear?
Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
What does vitiligo look like when it first starts?
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
What can be mistaken for vitiligo?
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches.
Can vitiligo occur in infants?
Congenital vitiligo and presentation at birth is a very rare entity, but cases in infancy have been reported. Due to its rare occurrence, there is a lack of data on congenital vitiligo, and little is known about its exact etiopathogenesis and evolution.
What are Bier spots?
Overview. Bier spots are a benign vascular anomaly characterized by white spots on the skin surrounded by a pale halo of erythema (redness). They are more common on the arms, the legs and the trunk.
Can childhood vitiligo go away?
There is no “cure” for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn’t happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone.
How common is vitiligo in infants?
Usually, it starts in childhood or young adult: it has been estimated that about 50% of patients develop vitiligo before the age of 20 years and about 25% of them develop the disease before the age of 8, with a mean age of 4 – 5 years [2].