Des Moines news anchor, Elizabeth Klinge, is receiving quite the social media buzz after posting heart-warming photos of her daughter Hanalay and her notable port-wine stain. The photos garnered a steady stream of reactions with over 100 comments.
“Another successful laser treatment for Hanalay yesterday in Iowa City!” read the caption. “This was treatment number four on her port-wine stain, and each time it seems to get a little easier (for both of us). After a good nap on the drive back home, she’s back to her lively little self!”
Port-wine stains are a red discoloration of skin. They usually appear on the face like in little Hanalay’s case, but have also been found on the neck, cranium and upper body. The ones that appear close to the eye should be closely monitored because they are typically associated with an extremely rare neurological disorder called Sturge-Weber syndrome, also dubbed as “a stain of the brain.” This could lead to seizures, developmental delays, and learning disabilities.
These rare stains don’t just fade away but they could certainly be treated using surgical lasers to reduce swelling and redness. They often change textures too, starting off as smooth patches that evolve into hard thick pebbles under the skin during young adulthood. Another form of these stains can be small berry-like growths of blood vessels named vascular blebs which often bleed and have to be surgically removed.
There have been some other alternative treatments used in the past, like tattooing, freezing, and radiation. These aren’t recommended, however, as laser surgery is the safest means.
It’s common for people with port-wine stains to feel insecure, especially if it’s located on the face. Others, in the case of this Facebook user who commented on Elizabeth’s post, just learn to work it. “I had the chance to remove my port wine stain back in high school and decided, ‘Nah, I’m gonna rock this thang!!!’ Many blessings to you and your precious girl!”
