Stork Bites, Angel Kisses, and Salmon Patches: What Are They?

Also known as salmon patches or angel’s kisses, stork bites are harmless. They’re also very common, affecting up to 80% of babies. 1

Even though stork bites aren’t anything to worry about, it’s understandable if you’re still wondering where they come from, how long they last, and whether there’s anything you can do to make them go away.

Read on to learn more about what a stork bite is and what to watch out for with your baby’s skin.

A stork bite, also known as a nevus simplex, is a type of vascular birthmark caused by dilated capillaries close to the skin’s surface. 2

Here’s how you can identify them: 3

• Color: As mentioned, stork bites are usually pink or light red.
• Texture: They’re flat and smooth to the touch.
• Appearance: They may become more noticeable when your baby cries, strains, gets warm, or holds his breath. They also may fade if you apply gentle pressure. 2
• Location: They’re typically found on the nape of the neck, eyelids, forehead, nose, or upper lip, although they can also appear on the lower back or top of the head.

Since your newborn’s skin is so delicate, these blood vessels are more visible than they are in adult skin. Fortunately, dilated capillaries don’t cause discomfort or indicate any underlying issues.

These marks are often present at birth. However, stork bites can sometimes darken and may only become noticeable in the first few months of life. 3

What causes stork bites to appear?

The exact cause of stork bites isn’t entirely understood. Again, they occur when clusters of capillaries become unusually dilated (stretched) during fetal development, leading to increased blood flow in a concentrated area.

Some kinds of birthmarks run in the family, but researchers haven’t found a clear genetic cause. 4

Why are these marks called stork bites?

The name “stork bite” comes from the old story that storks deliver babies. The idea is that the stork pinched the back of your baby’s neck, leaving a mark.

When these appear on the face, they’re sometimes called “angel’s kisses.”

One of the most common concerns parents have is whether stork bites are permanent. The good news is that most will become less noticeable over time.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Facial stork bites (angel kisses): These tend to disappear between ages 1 and 3. 5
• Neck stork bites: These are more likely to persist into adulthood, but they often become less noticeable (and are typically covered by hair). 5
• Less common locations: Stork bites on the lower back or top of the head may also stick around into adulthood, but they’ll similarly fade and become less visible.

Even if your baby’s stork bite doesn’t completely disappear, it’s purely cosmetic and poses no health risk.

Doctors typically diagnose stork bites with a simple visual examination and usually won’t run any additional tests. If there’s any uncertainty, your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric dermatologist to rule out other vascular birthmarks like port-wine stains, which don’t fade over time. 5

When a stork bite can indicate a problem

Because stork bites are harmless, they usually don’t require any treatment. However, you should consult with your baby’s doctor if:

• The mark changes significantly in size, color, or texture.
• The skin becomes swollen, irritated, or scaly (which could indicate several conditions, most likely eczema, which may appear on the neck if drool or milk pools when your baby is lying flat)
• You’re otherwise unsure if the mark is a stork bite or another type of birthmark.

Treatment options

To reiterate, most of the time, you don’t need to treat stork bites. However, in the rare case that one does not fade away—particularly if the mark is particularly large or bothersome—a pediatric dermatologist could use a pulsed dye laser (PDL) to shrink the birthmark by targeting the underlying blood vessels. It’s non-invasive and quite effective, although your baby may need multiple sessions. 6

Avoid home remedies like applying topical creams, oils, or natural treatments like lemon juice or olive oil. There’s no evidence that these work, and they could actually irritate the skin, making it look worse.

What to do if your child’s stork bite won’t fade

Although stork bites are benign, you may still feel self-conscious about visible marks on your little one’s face. That’s totally normal. Just remember:

• Most stork bites fade naturally.
• Neck marks are often hidden by hair.
• Many adults have a faint stork bite that has persisted since infancy—you may even unknowingly have one underneath your own hair!
• If the mark is a cosmetic concern, laser treatments are an option.

In the beginning, many parents are on hyper-alert for absolutely anything out of the ordinary, but cosmetic issues like stork bites aren’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things, and it probably won’t be long until you have trouble remembering what you were so worried about.

Stork bites are a completely normal part of your newborn’s skin development, and plenty of babies have them. While your baby’s stork bite may look pronounced in the early months, it will likely fade with time. Even if it lingers, it won’t pose any risks to your baby.

Still, you can always go to your doctor or dermatologist if you’re at all concerned. Otherwise, just think of a stork bite as something that makes your baby all the more unique!