Port Wine Stain

[janet]

I am 65 yrs. old and have a port wine stain covering my left breast, back and arm.  As I have aged I get dark red bumps which scab up in winter and bleed profusely.  I now discover that I have clogged arteries in my legs and will re

[kelly1112]

I have a port wine stain over my face and on the surface of my eyes, down my neck and over my scalp. It does cause me headaches but its not sturge webber if I was pregnant would this cause any problems?

[JR]

I have a port wine stain on the side of forehead over my left eye and into my hair line.  It has led me to be very selfconscious.  I'm worried about the laser treatment because it would be on head and face.  How much of a risk am I taking?

[Laura]

I have a port wine stain going up the back of my leg and on my buttocks.  Sometimes I have aches in that left leg, do you think this could be the cause.  I happen to think so because of the vessels in that leg and the aches I have.

Do you think the birthmark could cause me latter physical problems?  The reason why I am asking is that my insurance has denied me benefits of getting this off, they  say it is cosmetic but I beg to differ.  It has had quite a psychological effect on me since I was little.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Janet:

The raised areas of the port wine stain which bleed are collections of blood vessels.  If the bleeding is bothersome, they can be cauterized or, if necessary, cut out surgically.  You should consukt a dermatologist or vascular surgeon about this.

The port wine stain does not, however, have anything to do with the vessel problems in your legs.  For that you will need to be evaluated by a vascular surgeon for possible medical or surgical treatment.

Best.

Dr. R