Pamela Melton, age 70, of Buffalo, West Va., for her question:

WHAT CAUSES BIRTHMARKS?

A birthmark is a skin blemish or discoloration that is determined before a baby is born. It is sometimes called a nevi.

Although some birthmarks do not develop until long after birth, the skin defect has been there since the time the skin was formed during prenatal life.

Nothing can be done to prevent birthmarks. They are caused by natural development. Contrary to popular belief, they are definitely not related to anything that may have happened to the mother during pregnancy, nor are they related to anything that happens during birth.

Flat birthmarks that are usually wine colored are called port wine marks. The kind that are slightly elevated and are a brighter red are known as strawberry marks. They often disappear without treatment as a child grows older.