Macules do not change the texture, thickness or feel of the skin; when you run your finger across them, they will not feel any different than other parts of your skin. Most macules are harmless; however, in some cases they indicate skin cancer. Macules are usually less than 1 centimeter wide.
What are macules and what causes them?
Macules can feature in any number of common and uncommon medical conditions, including: Vitiligo, the loss of skin color associated with autoimmune disorders. Tinea versicolor, dark or light patches of skin caused by a fungus.
What are macules and how are they diagnosed?
Macules are characteristic of different medical conditions, some serious and others not. They are referred to as primary lesions as they are often the first step toward identifying a disease. Other primary lesions include pustules (a raised pimple or blister filled with pus) and tumors.
How dangerous is measles?
Measles is extremely dangerous to vulnerable people including, babies, elderly and sick people. The Denver adult who contracted measles had traveled outside the U.S., then before seeking care at a Denver hospital, the person spent time in public places in the densely populated Stapleton neighborhood.
Is a macule a sign of skin cancer?
A macule is not, in and of itself, a sign of skin cancer. While a macule may have an appearance suggestive of cancer, further tests would be needed to confirm or exclude a diagnosis. All told, there are four types of skin cancer or precancer, each with its own characteristics appearance:
Can macules be cancerous?
Skin Cancer and Macules A macule is not, in and of itself, a sign of skin cancer. While a macule may have an appearance suggestive of cancer, further tests would be needed to confirm or exclude a diagnosis.
Are macules common?
Hypopigmented macules are one of the most common skin lesions encountered in clinical practice. As the name suggests, these lesions are associated with decreased pigmentation compared to surrounding normal skin.
How long do macules last?
The rash is sometimes itchy, and it can last from two days to three weeks depending on the cause.
Is Melanotic Macule cancerous?
Oral melanotic macule is a non-cancerous (benign), dark spot found on the lips or inside the mouth. An oral melanotic macule found on the lip is sometimes called a labial melanotic macule.
Do macules go away?
Your macules may not go away, but treating the condition that's causing them may help prevent further growth of the macules you have. It may also prevent the formation of new macules.
Can macule be melanoma?
Macules do not change the texture, thickness or feel of the skin; when you run your finger across them, they will not feel any different than other parts of your skin. Most macules are harmless; however, in some cases they indicate skin cancer.
How big is a macule?
MACULE - A circumscribed, flat area of discoloration that is less than 10 mm* in diameter. PATCH - A circumscribed, flat area of discoloration that is greater than 10 mm* in diameter. Slight scale may or may not be present.
What is an example of macules?
Macules are flat, nonpalpable lesions usually < 10 mm in diameter. Macules represent a change in color and are not raised or depressed compared to the skin surface. A patch is a large macule. Examples include freckles, flat moles, tattoos, and port-wine stains.
What does macule mean in medical terms?
A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin. It usually does not include a change in skin texture or thickness.
How do I get rid of Melanotic Macule?
What is the treatment of labial melanotic macule? Typical lesions can just be observed. Suspicious lesions, including lesions showing progressive change, should be biopsied. If treatment is requested the macules can be frozen (cryotherapy) or removed using a laser or intense pulsed light.
What are brown macules?
Melasma, the Greek term for “a brown spot,” is a common hypermelanosis that typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of the face. Chloasma, the Greek term for “a green spot,” is a synonymous term that describes melasma during pregnancy (the “mask of pregnancy”).
What color is a macule?
The colors of macules include shades of brown, due to melanin pigmentation in the epidermis (A), blue, due to melanin or other particulates (like some tattoo pigments) in the der mis (B), red, due to vasodilatation in the dermis without (C), and with (D) inflammatory cells present.
Causes
Skin Cancer and Macules
- A macule is not, in and of itself, a sign of skin cancer. While a macule may have an appearance suggestive of cancer, further tests would be needed to confirm or exclude a diagnosis. All told, there are four types of skin cancer or precancer, each with its own characteristics appearance: 1. Actinic keratosis has dry, scaly patches or spots that are...
Methods of Diagnosis
- To determine the cause of a macule, the dermatologist will start with a physical inspection of the lesion. In some cases, such as with vitiligo or rosacea, the tell-tale appearance is enough to make the diagnosis(although further tests may be performed to identify any underlying causes). In other cases, the doctor may perform a culture if the cause believed to be fungalor use blood tests to i…
A Word from Verywell
- The sudden appearance of any skin lesion can be troubling, especially if it is fast-changing or irregular in shape. Even if you’re unsure what it is (or it doesn’t fit the characteristic profile), get it checked it sooner rather than later. In the end, there’s a good chance that the lesion will either be nothing serious or something that is easily treated. Even if it’s cancer, early diagnosis and treatm…