Home > Medical Articles > Topics beginning with N > Nevus Flammeus - Port Wine Stain > Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Medical References
Diseases & Conditions
Women's Health
Mental Health
Men's Health
Medical Web Links
MOL Site Map
Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
Nevus Flammeus - Port Wine Stain
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A port wine stain is a type of birthmark. It is an irregularly shaped, reddish, flat area of blood vessels on the surface of the skin.
What is going on in the body?
The cause of port wine stains is unknown. They occur in about 3 out of 1000 births. At first, port wine stains are flat. Over time, lumps and bumps can occur on the surface of the birthmark.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A port wine stain on the face can be a part of Sturge-Weber syndrome. This syndrome also involves problems with blood vessels in the eyes and brain. However, a port wine stain does not usually mean that Sturge-Weber syndrome is present.