What is a Macule?

A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin. It usually does not include a change in skin texture or thickness. The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection.

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What is the cause of a macule?

Causes of Macule

Many examples of macules are harmless, like freckles, acne scars, and birthmarks. Most often, macules are caused from a decrease in melanin production in the skin. Melanin is a pigment occurring in hair, skin, and the iris of the eye, and responsible for changing color of the skin in the sunlight.

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How is a macule different from a papule?

Macule — a small patch of skin that is altered in colour, but is not elevated. Patch — a large area of colour change, with a smooth surface. Papule — elevated, solid, palpable lesion that is ≤ 1 cm in diameter. They may be solitary or multiple.

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What is the difference between a patch and 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.

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Are brown macules cancerous?

The solitary brown macule is a common skin lesion that may be benign or malignant. The lesion may represent a disorder of melanocytes, nervus cells or hemosiderin. Clinical differentiation can be difficult, and biopsy may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

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How to Correctly Describe Any Skin Lesion (Macule, Patch, Papule, Plaque, Pustule, Nodules, Vesicle)

24 related questions found

Can a macule become cancerous?

Conclusions: Oral melanotic macule may possess malignant potential. Biopsy is recommended to differentiate oral melanoma from melanotic macule for male patients >60 years old with suspected melanotic macule lesion located on the palate.

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What do macules look like?

A macule is a small, flat, red area of discoloration, and a papule is a small, red, raised lesion. As a result, a maculopapular rash appears as red bumps against a red background. People with darker skin may not notice the flat, red patch.

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Is a macule benign?

Conclusion: Genital melanotic macules are benign, asymptomatic, discrete areas of hyperpigmentation that occur equally in men and women. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and electronmicroscopic study confirms their benign nature.

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What are the 3 types of lesions?

Lesion Type (Primary Morphology)
  • Macules are flat, nonpalpable lesions usually < 10 mm in diameter. ...
  • Papules are elevated lesions usually < 10 mm in diameter that can be felt or palpated. ...
  • Plaques are palpable lesions > 10 mm in diameter that are elevated or depressed compared to the skin surface.

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Can a macule be cured?

There's no cure, but treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may slow the disease and keep you from having serious loss of vision. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type. It's when the macula – the part of the retina that helps you see clearly straight in front of you – gets thinner as you age.

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Are macules normal?

Causes. Macules may be a sign of something serious or mean absolutely nothing at all. They are often present from the time of birth and may grow or increase in number as a person gets older. Even birthmarks may be considered a type of macule.

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How common are macules?

Hypopigmentation macules are very common (in both children and adults), seen in at least 1 out of 20 people.

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Are macules harmless?

Macules: Macules are smaller skin lesions, mostly in brown, white and red. Common examples of macules are moles and freckles. These skin lesions are not dangerous by themselves but can pose a threat when evolving over time.

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Is a macule a lesion?

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). Nodule: a circumscribed, elevated solid lesion with depth up to 2 cm e.g. cyst.

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What does macule mean in skin?

A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin. It usually does not include a change in skin texture or thickness. The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection.

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How do you 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.

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Is macule hereditary?

Congenital hypomelanotic and hypermelanotic macules traced in three generations of a family suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. Some affected membbers also showed retarded growth and mental deficiency.

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Are brown macules bad?

A labial lentigo, also called a labial melanotic macule, is a harmless, small, flat, brown spot on the lip. It can develop after repeated sun exposure.

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What is a raised macule called?

A nodule is an elevated bump on the skin that is larger than a papule (greater than 1 centimeter in diameter). It may occur in all layers of the skin including the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

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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.

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What do pre cancerous lesions look like?

Discoloration, often appearing brown, pink, gray, red, yellow, or white. Flat or slightly raised. Hard or wart-like surface. Roughness or scaly skin.

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Can macules grow?

As with birthmarks, they are often present at birth; however, they can grow, or the number of macules can increase over time.

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What does a cancerous lesion look like on the skin?

It might look skin coloured, waxy, like a scar or thickened area of skin that's very slowly getting bigger. You might also see small blood vessels.

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