• Question: Why do people have birthmarks?

    Asked by marsi003 to Mike, Pip, Tianfu, Tim, Tom on 28 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 28 Jun 2012:

      It varies. Brown birth marks are caused by an increase in the amount of pigment produced in one area of skin, like a big mole really. Red birth marks are caused by a greater blood supply to the area. People think that most of these are caused by a problem with the nerves that would normally determine when a vessel opens up to fill with blood (like when we blush).

    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 28 Jun 2012:

      Thanks, Tom

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