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Macule

 
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A macule is a change in skin color, without elevation or depression and, therefore, nonpalpable, well or ill-defined, variously sized but, by convention, less than one centimeter in diameter at the widest point.With regard to the quote "...by convention, less than one centimeter in diameter at the widest point," depending on which text is referenced, some authors state the cutoff between a macule and a patch
Patch (dermatology)

A patch is a large macule equal to or greater than 1cm in diameter.With regard to the quote "...equal to or greater than 1cm in diameter," depending on which text is referenced, some authors state the cutoff between a macule and a patch as 0.5cm, not 1cm, while others state an entirely different measurement....
 as 0.5cm, not 1cm, while others state an entirely different measurement.






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A macule is a change in skin color, without elevation or depression and, therefore, nonpalpable, well or ill-defined, variously sized but, by convention, less than one centimeter in diameter at the widest point.With regard to the quote "...by convention, less than one centimeter in diameter at the widest point," depending on which text is referenced, some authors state the cutoff between a macule and a patch
Patch (dermatology)

A patch is a large macule equal to or greater than 1cm in diameter.With regard to the quote "...equal to or greater than 1cm in diameter," depending on which text is referenced, some authors state the cutoff between a macule and a patch as 0.5cm, not 1cm, while others state an entirely different measurement....
 as 0.5cm, not 1cm, while others state an entirely different measurement. Therefore, for this article, the 1cm cutoff is used which is discussed in Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (see references), a work considered by some dermatologists as an authority on this subject matter. This skin lesion is recognizable due to the color difference compared with the surrounding normal skin, and may be of any color, white, blue, or red for example. Macules may be the result of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, vascular abnormalities, capillary dilatation (erythema), or purpura (extravasated red blood cells). Diseases of the skin that present with maculae include, but are not limited to, vitiligo
Vitiligo

Vitiligo or leukoderma is a Chronic skin disorder that causes loss of Biological pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function....
, melasma
Melasma

Melasma is a tan or dark skin discoloration. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy medications....
, and junctional nevi
Junctional nevus

A junctional nevus is a Melanocytic nevus found in the junction between the Epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. These moles may be pigmented and slightly raised, and have a higher risk of developing into malignant melanoma....
.

See also

  • Skin lesion
    Skin lesion

    Most dermatoses present with skin lesions of more or less distinct characteristics. Macroscopically, these original lesions are known as the "primary lesion", and identification of such lesions is "...the most important aspect of dermatologic examination." However, these lesions may continue to develop or be modified by regression or trauma...
  • Skin disease
  • List of skin diseases
    List of skin diseases

    Dermatosis , a noun, is defined as "any disease of the skin," and, while thousands of skin disorders have been described, only a small number account for most visits to the doctor....


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