What is a macule?
A macule is a flat, discolored area of skin that appears different from the surrounding skin. Macules are a common type of skin lesion. A skin lesion is an area of skin that is different in size, shape, color, or texture from the surrounding skin. Macules are very common in children and adults and occur in at least 1 in 20 people.
What is a macule lesion?
A macule is a flattened skin lesion. It can be significantly lighter than the surrounding skin due to decreased melanin content. This is known as hypopigmentation. A macule may also be darker than the surrounding skin, known as hyperpigmentation. Macule lesions are often benign, meaning they are not harmful.
What are macules on your face?
By medical definition, if the discolored lesion is flat and less than 1 centimeter (cm) in size, it's a macule. Macules can be found all over the skin, however, most commonly on the chest, back, face, and arms. Many people are born with macules or they can develop over time from exposure to the sun, injuries, or other factors. Freckles on Your Face
What is the difference between a rash and a macule?
An extensive language has been developed to standardize the description of skin lesions, including Rash is a general term for a temporary skin eruption. (See also Evaluation of the Dermatologic Patient and Diagnostic Tests for Skin Disorders .) Macules are flat, nonpalpable lesions usually < 10 mm in diameter.
What is an example of a macule?
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 causes macules on skin?
This means birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment (melanocytes).
How do you get macules?
A variety of conditions can cause macules. These include: vitiligo, a condition in which the skin loses melanocytes, or pigment cells. tinea versicolor, a type of fungal infection.
Can macule be removed?
If treatment is requested the macules can be frozen (cryotherapy) or removed using a laser or intense pulsed light. Excision can also be performed but will leave a scar.
Do macules spread?
Macules spread from abdomen to extremities.
Are macules normal?
Hypopigmentation macules are very common (in both children and adults), seen in at least 1 out of 20 people.
What disease causes macules?
It could be an allergic reaction or an infection, including diseases such as scarlet fever, measles, mononucleosis, and shingles. All Over Your Body: A rash covering a lot of your body may be due to an infection or allergic reaction. Blisters: If your rash has blisters or open sores, it could be a serious issue.
Can macules grow?
Cafe-au-lait macules (CALMs) are common hyperpigmented and flat skin lesions found in the general population. They are usually present at birth (congenital) or occur early in life. They may grow in number and size with age.
Is a pimple a macule?
Macules may develop as a result of cystic or otherwise severe acne. They occur after a pimple or cyst has healed, and may remain for up to six months. They are sometimes known in such cases as "pseudo-scars", but unlike true scars they are not permanent.
Are macules Birthmarks?
Macular Stains. These are a type of birthmark that may appear anywhere on the body as light red, flat marks. Macular stains are the most common type of vascular (developing from blood vessels) birthmark.
Can macule be melanoma?
014), and lesion site (P < . 001) were noted. In this review, 1 case of oral melanotic macule was found to subsequently develop into melanoma. Conclusions: Oral melanotic macule may possess malignant potential.
Are macules raised or flat?
Macule: a circumscribed, flat lesion with color change up to 1 cm in size that is not palpable (e.g. ash leaf macules, café au lait macules).
What disease causes macules?
It could be an allergic reaction or an infection, including diseases such as scarlet fever, measles, mononucleosis, and shingles. All Over Your Body: A rash covering a lot of your body may be due to an infection or allergic reaction. Blisters: If your rash has blisters or open sores, it could be a serious issue.
What causes Melanotic Macules?
Melanotic macules usually arise from three sources: an intraoral freckle, postinflammatory pigmentation, or disorders such as Addison's disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, or Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. Although the melanotic macule does not develop due to sun exposure, its origin is not conclusive.
What causes macules and papules?
A maculopapular rash is a flat and usually large area of skin covered with small bumps. It is associated with childhood viruses like rubella and scarlet fever, but can also be due to allergic reaction, an autoimmune disease, HIV, or another cause.
What causes Hyperpigmented macules?
Common causes of focal hyperpigmentation include injury, inflammation, phytophotodermatitis, lentigines, melasma, freckles, café-au-lait macules, and acanthosis nigricans. Common causes of widespread hyperpigmentation include melasma, drugs, cancers, and other systemic disorders.
What is Macule?
A macule is a lesion of the skin that is altered in color, or differing perceptibly from the surrounding skin tissue. Macules are uncircumscribed, meaning they have distinct borders. By medical definition, if the discolored lesion is flat and less than 1 centimeter (cm) in size, it's a macule. Macules can be found all over the skin, however, most commonly on the chest, back, face, and arms. Many people are born with macules or they can develop over time from exposure to the sun, injuries, or other factors.
What are the small spots on my skin called?
There are many causes of macule spots on the skin. Ephelis, or freckles, and birthmarks, are types of macules that are small (less than 1 cm), circumscribed, flat, and nonpalpable, discolored spots on the skin. These spots are circumscribed, meaning they have distinct borders, and nonpalpable, meaning they can't be felt. If macules become larger than 1 cm wide, they are called patches, and may be cause for further investigation.
How does vitiligo affect the skin?
Vitiligo only affects a small number of people. Vitiligo causes cells that are responsible for skin color to be destroyed causing loss of color or white skin, due to an autoimmune disorder. It affects areas that are usually exposed to the sun, inside the mouth or other mucous membranes, nostrils, the back of the eye, and inside of the ear. Treatment options for macules caused by vitiligo include light therapy, topical steroids, and surgery, however these macules are often difficult to treat. If a large portion of the skin is affected, treatment may take the form of depigmenting the surrounding skin or injecting pigment into the skin.
How to get rid of macules?
Alternatively, home remedies may be used to treat or prevent macules from occurring or returning. These treatments include topical creams such as aloe vera or castor oil, green tea extracts and Vitamin E. Some may suggest lemon juice can help reduce the appearance of discolored skin spots. Makeup is also an alternative that can be used to camouflage the appearance of spots.
What are some examples of macules?
Examples of macules include moles, freckles, acne scars, sun spots, age spots, liver spots, vitiligo, and other spots on the skin that are a small and discolored.
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What is a macule in 2020?
Casey Gallagher, MD. on April 16, 2020. A macule is a discolored patch of skin that is not elevated and is less than one centimeter in diameter. If you were to close your eyes and run your finger over the skin, you generally would not be able to feel any change in texture. Macules are characteristic of different medical conditions, ...
What is the name of the bump on the head and neck?
Actinic keratosis has dry, scaly patches or spots that are usually found on the head, neck, hands, and forearms. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions appear as either a pinkish patch or a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump, most often on the head, neck, and arm (but also on any other part of the body) Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can appear as ...
What are primary lesions?
Other primary lesions include pustules (a raised pimple or blister filled with pus) and tumors. Macules can be seen on any part of the body, but are most frequently found on the chest, back, face, and arms.
Where is melanoma most often seen?
They are seen more often on the rim of the ears, face, neck, arms, chest, and back. Melanoma can manifest as a dark spot on the skin or with sudden abnormal changes of a mole. If you find any suspicious-looking blemishes or lesions, consult a dermatologist as soon as possible.
What is the loss of skin color associated with autoimmune disorders?
Vitiligo, the loss of skin color associated with autoimmune disorders
How to reduce risk of skin cancer?
To lower your personal risk of skin cancer: Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater (even if it’s cloudy). Cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Seek shade whenever possible, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Never allow your skin to burn.
Why do doctors perform culture?
In other cases, the doctor may perform a culture if the cause believed to be fungal or use blood tests to identify a viral or bacterial infection.
How to prevent macules from growing?
When macules are caused by vitiligo, immunosuppressant medications or light therapy can help to prevent further growth of the macule or to prevent additional macules from forming. In severe cases or when daily functioning is impaired because of embarrassment, your doctor might suggest skin grafts or depigmenting your skin to match the macule. However, this is often a last-resort treatment. Some people use specialized makeup to cover up hypopigmented patches.
What is it called when you have a discolored skin?
Vitiligo — a skin condition that causes the loss of pigment. When discolored skin is larger than 1 centimeter, it is called a patch. Vitiligo usually results in patches of skin that are lighter than surrounding skin. It usually occurs on both sides of the body and affects not only the skin but also the hair, eyes, or inside the mouth.
What is a macule?
Macules are small, flat, discolored areas of skin. They can be hypopigmented, lighter than the skin, or hyperpigmented, darker than the skin. 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 wide are birthmarks?
Macules are usually less than 1 centimeter wide. A small, flat birthmark is a macule. So is an age spot. They are most commonly seen on babies, young children, and older adults. As with birthmarks, they are often present at birth; however, they can grow, or the number of macules can increase over time. They can appear without any trauma to the skin. Some, such as age spots, appear as a result of UV exposure during late adulthood. Macules are most commonly found on the back, chest, arms, or face but can appear anywhere on the body.
Do macules indicate cancer?
Skin cancer — Although macules don’t indicate skin cancer and most are harmless, they are often found on people who have skin cancer. When you notice a new macule, you should have it checked by your dermatologist.
Do laser treatments work on macules?
These work best when the hyperpigment is in the top layer of the skin only. When it is deeper, these treatments usually don’t work.
What is a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated?
: a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated … erythema migrans is defined as a skin lesion that typically begins as a red macule or papule and expands over a period of days to weeks to form a large round lesion, often with partial central clearing. — Carrie D. Tibbles et al.
What is a macule?
2 : a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated Target-like macules with a dusky center are usually pathognomonic for the disorder but may not always be present.
Where does the word "spot" come from?
borrowed from French, "spot, stain, birthmark," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin macula "stain, spot, blemish" — more at macula
What is Macule and Papule?
Both are skin conditions. Both are dermatological manifestations (skin problems) which occur in various local or systemic (something that is spread throughout) disease conditions.
What is Macule?
A small (usually < 1 cm in diameter) flat, non-palpable and altered in color – a discolored blemish or lesion that can be brown, tan, red or white and has same texture as surrounding skin.
What are papules on the face?
Papules have well-defined boundaries and usually occur on the face. Shapes of papules could be different. Sometimes these papules (elevated bumps on the skin) cluster together to form what appears like a rash and feels rough like sandpaper. Papules often start as erythematous macules.
What are the dark spots on my skin?
Moles (common non-cancerous skin growth usually dark brown triggered by clusters of pigmented cells) Freckles (tiny brown patches on your skin, usually in areas that get exposed to the sun) Sun spots, age spots, and liver spots.
Can macules be hypopigmented?
Macule doesn’t alter the texture and thickness of the skin. These blemishes or skin discoloration is caused by various causes. For example, macules could be vitiligo lesions (can be lighter or hypopigmented) or moles (that are darker in color or hyperpigmented).
What is a red brown rash?
It is an elevated, circumscribed solid cutaneous lesion that is up to 1 cm in size. It can be present in variety of colors like red brown, purple brown, brown, pink, and yellow brown. It can occur on the face, often on the eyelids or alar rim, but also on the trunk and extremities.
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What are some examples of papules?
Examples include nevi, warts, lichen planus, insect bites, seborrheic keratoses, ac tinic keratoses, some lesions of acne, and skin cancers.
What is scale in dermatology?
Scale is heaped-up accumulations of horny epithelium that occur in disorders such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal infections. Pityriasis rosea and chronic dermatitis of any type may be scaly. Skin Lesion (Scale) Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD. Crusts (scabs) consist of dried serum, blood, or pus.
What is a plaque on the skin?
Plaques are palpable lesions > 10 mm in diameter that are elevated or depressed compared to the skin surface . Plaques may be flat topped or rounded. Lesions of psoriasis and granuloma annulare commonly form plaques. Psoriasis Plaque.
What are some examples of umbilicated lesions?
Umbilicated lesions have a central indentation and are usually viral. Examples include molluscum contagiosum and herpes simplex. Xanthomas, which are yellowish, waxy lesions, may be idiopathic or may occur in patients who have lipid disorders. Xanthelasma of the Eyelid.
What is a macule patch?
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, and the rashes of rickettsial infections, rubella, measles (can also have papules and plaques), and some allergic drug eruptions.
What is yellow skin?
Yellow skin is typical of jaundice, xanthelasmas and xanthomas, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Green fingernails suggest Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Violet skin may result from cutaneous hemorrhage or vasculitis. Vascular lesions or tumors, such as Kaposi sarcoma and hemangiomas, can appear purple.
What is the color of port wine?
Superficial vascular lesions such as port-wine stains may appear red . Orange skin is most often seen in hypercarotenemia, a usually benign condition of carotene deposition after excess dietary ingestion of beta-carotene. Yellow skin is typical of jaundice, xanthelasmas and xanthomas, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum.
