port wine stain help needed

I was born with a large port wine stain covering probably 80% of my left leg from my foot to my hip. It changes colour from red to bluey/purple and I have a small darker red birthmark too near my thigh. I have been to hospital regarding laser treatment but have always been told the area is too large too treat.

I have had some laser work done on the birthmark although for the time being, it is still there. In water it goes very dark, as I get older it's getting darker too, making it harder for me to wear shoes that show my feet. I am VERY self- conscious of it, haven't worn a skirt since I was a little girl...hate to think that I have to cover up for the rest of my life.

I've never had the confidence to wear a skirt/dress or go swimming with my friends...I hate that I have missed out on this. Visited the red cross skin camouflage unit at my local hospital, they were very kind but it's such a struggle using their products...don't think I will ever get the hang of it and it's such a big area to cover.

Is there any help out there for me? I live in Nottingham,England,UK.

Laura.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Lasers are the treatment of choice for port wines stains.  There are a variety of lasers that can be used and it would be worth exploring several laser centers.  A limited treatment trial will determine if there may be any success with your hemangioma.  There is no certainty that any laser treatment will be successful.  Alternatively, limited surgical excision of the port wine stain with skin grafting over the removed area could be performed.  The appearance of the graft will never match you normal skin and there will also be a donor site scar.  The medical science of treatment of these port wines stains in the lower extremity is not fully developed.