Angel Kisses on a Newborn: Nevus Simplex & Pink Birthmarks
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An angel kiss is a common flat pink or red newborn birthmark. The medical name is nevus simplex. It is also called a salmon patch.
These marks are harmless in most babies. They often become darker when a baby cries or gets warm, then fade again.
Most facial marks fade greatly by the toddler years and need no treatment.
- Angel kisses are common pink or red birthmarks.
- The medical name is nevus simplex.
- They are also called salmon patches.
- They may appear on the forehead, eyelids, nose, scalp, or neck.
- They often look darker when a baby cries or becomes warm.
- Most facial marks fade during the first few years.
- Marks on the back of the neck may last longer.
- Most need no treatment.
You may notice a faint pink mark on your newborn's forehead, eyelids, or between the eyebrows.
It may almost disappear while your baby sleeps, then turn bright red during a hard cry.
That pattern is very common and is usually harmless.
What Is Nevus Simplex?
Nevus simplex is a flat pink, red, or salmon-colored birthmark that is present at birth.
It is made up of tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
These marks are extremely common. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that up to 80% of babies are born with one.
Where Do Angel Kisses Appear?
Common places include:
- Between the eyebrows
- The middle of the forehead
- The upper eyelids
- The nose
- The scalp
- The back of the head
- The nape of the neck
A facial salmon patch is often called an angel kiss.
The same type of mark on the back of the neck is often called a stork bite.
Why Does It Get Redder When My Baby Cries?
This is normal.
Crying, straining, activity, or getting warm can increase blood flow through the tiny vessels in the mark.
The color may become much brighter for a short time.
When your baby calms down or cools off, the mark usually becomes lighter again.
A classic angel kiss often seems to “turn up the color” when a baby cries.
That temporary change is expected. It does not mean the birthmark is getting worse.
Will an Angel Kiss Go Away?
Most facial marks fade on their own.
Many become much lighter during the first one to three years of life.
A stork bite on the back of the neck may last longer. Some remain faintly visible even later in life.
Does It Need Treatment?
Usually not.
Most angel kisses are harmless and fade without treatment.
Creams, massage, scrubbing, and home remedies will not make them disappear faster.
If a mark remains later in childhood and becomes a cosmetic concern, a dermatologist can discuss treatment options.
- Leave a typical angel kiss alone.
- Use normal gentle newborn skin care.
- Do not scrub the mark.
- Do not use creams to try to fade it.
- Expect the color to change when your baby cries or gets warm.
- Show any birthmark to your pediatrician if you are unsure what it is.
Is It the Same as a Port-Wine Stain?
No.
A typical angel kiss is usually light pink or red and often has soft, less defined edges.
It tends to fade with age.
A port-wine stain is often darker and more sharply defined. It usually does not fade away.
It may become darker or thicker as a child grows.
Port-wine stains on certain parts of the forehead or eyelid may need more evaluation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Is It the Same as a Hemangioma?
No.
An angel kiss is flat and is usually present at birth.
An infantile hemangioma often appears during the first few weeks of life and may grow quickly at first.
Some become bright red and raised.
Show any new, raised, or quickly growing birthmark to your pediatrician.
When Should I Call My Pediatrician?
Ask your pediatrician to look at a birthmark if:
- You are not sure what type of mark it is.
- It is unusually large.
- It is in an unusual location.
- It becomes raised.
- It grows quickly.
- It gets steadily darker instead of fading.
- It covers a large area of the forehead or eyelid.
- It bleeds, breaks open, swells, or changes in an unexpected way.
When Is It Urgent?
A typical angel kiss is not an emergency.
Seek prompt care if a skin lesion has:
- Rapid swelling
- Persistent bleeding
- An open sore
- Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- Trouble with breathing or feeding
Also seek care if your baby looks seriously ill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are angel kisses birthmarks?
Yes. They are common flat pink or red birthmarks present at birth.
What is a salmon patch?
Salmon patch is another name for the same type of birthmark. On the face it may be called an angel kiss. On the back of the neck it may be called a stork bite.
Why is it called an angel kiss?
“Angel kiss” is a traditional nickname for this pink newborn birthmark when it appears on the face, especially between the eyebrows.
Are stork bites and angel kisses the same thing?
Yes. They are the same type of birthmark. The nickname changes based on where the mark appears.
Does crying make the mark permanent?
No. Crying can make it darker for a short time, but it does not stop the mark from fading.
Can an angel kiss turn into a port-wine stain?
No. They are different types of vascular birthmarks. A mark that gets darker, thicker, raised, or behaves differently than expected should be checked again.
Can I put lotion on it?
Yes, if the nearby skin is dry. A gentle moisturizer will not hurt the mark, but it will not make the birthmark fade faster.
Angel kisses are one of the most reassuring newborn findings.
A flat pink mark in a classic location that gets darker with crying and slowly fades is usually a normal newborn birthmark.
If the mark does not follow that pattern, your pediatrician can help identify it.
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Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Baby Birthmarks & Rashes
- American Academy of Dermatology. Birthmarks: Signs and Symptoms
Related Parent Resources
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Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your child's pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional. Most angel kisses are harmless, but different birthmarks can look similar. Ask your pediatrician to examine a mark that is large, unusual, growing, raised, bleeding, ulcerated, or changing in an unexpected way. Seek prompt care for significant swelling, infection, trouble breathing or feeding, or an ill-appearing baby.
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