If the melanotic macule is removed it can create a small scar or depression in the tissue which may or may not be noticeable. A response to environmental stress such as persistent exposure to the sun, smoking, or taking a medication that can cause your skin to darken or spot, called, It could be an indicator of an underlying medical condition like. Who's at risk? [Congenital melanotic macules of the tongue] It is suggested that the term oral melanotic macule be used for these lesions, unless a specific cause can be confirmed by clinical data. As most melanotic macule is benign for women they may be able to hide them under makeup if they are light in color and small enough so they do not attract any attention. Gupta G, Williams REA, Mackie RM. A mucosal melanocytic macule is a well-defined, oval, brown to black, flat patch, usually found on the lip (a labial melanocytic macule). Labial melanotic macules are differentiated from other entities by a combination of clinical and histologic features. Labial melanotic macule — codes and concepts. In the literature, the oral melanotic macule has been given various inappropriate and erroneous names, such as ephelis5,6 and lentigo7,8. GENETIC CAUSES. The most common lesions are oral Luckily, melanotic macules are harmless. The melanosis may occur on the vermilion border of the lip or the gingiva due to postinflammatory or posttraumatic causes. If it is irregular in shape or big it could be noticeable if removed. The lesions will usually appear as a flat non-itchy rash on the lip with a color that is uniform and has a border that is well-defined. Local irritants, such as smoking, may also result in melanosis of varying degrees. Labial melanotic macule. But before we proceed, we have to acknowledge that this condition is not related to systemic diseases or sunlight. Author: Dr Mark Duffill, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2008. Melanin is a normal skin pigment that gives the skin its darker color. It is also sometimes called a labial lentigo and when multiple lesions are present, mucosal melanosis. Hence, treatment is not required. These are Genetic disorders and Lichen sclerosis. Luckily, melanoma is very rare on the lip (but it can occur). A melanotic macule is a small dark spot that is usually benign, but may be a cause for concern if it changes in color, shape, or texture. Clinical and dermatoscopic features of labial melanotic macule. Typical lesions can just be observed. The average age of presentation is 43 years, with a female predilection. However it may also occur in dark-skinned individuals and, as described above, similar lesions can arise in sites that are never sun-exposed. This dark area could be a melanotic macule, which is a noncancerous dark patch on the skin — called hyperpigmentation — of a mucous membrane. There are two major related factors, including: 1. Excision but using this form of removal will leave you a scar. This lesion is completely benign, but biopsy must be performed to differentiate it from melanoma. If a skin biopsy is done because the lesion is changing or looks irregular, a labial melanotic macule shows the following features on dermatopathology: Nuclear atypia is absent and the melanocyte count is normal. When these macules occur in isolation, they are usually sporadic and no associated conditions are observed. The exact cause of Melanotic Macules of Oral Mucosa is not well-understood. Simple lentigo — Simple lentigines often appear during childhood as sharply circumscribed, round-to-oval, uniformly brown or … Brown macules on the lower lip are relatively common, especially in young adult women. Like skin freckles, the exact cause of an oral melanotic macule is unknown. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice. What is the cause of labial melanotic macule? It has also been found on the genital areas. According to RDH Magazine, this common oral condition is present in 3 percent of the general population and is caused by a … With your help, we can update and expand the website. 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. Oral melanotic macule (MM) is a small, well-circumscribed, brown-to-black macule, and about of 665 cases has been reported in the English literature (2). Luckily, melanotic macules are harmless. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome– a genetic disorder with benign hamartomatous polyps in the GI tract, lips and oral mucosa 3. There is a variety of causes for a person to have a melanotic macule. There are no outstanding histologic differences among the eighty specimens. Home Causes List for Hypermelanotic macule. HYPERPIGMENTED lesions involving the oral mucosa have various pathogenetic causes. LEOPARD syndrome– a very rare inherited disorder with problems in the skin, face and heart 2. Multiple causes are known, and they may range from simple iatrogenic mechanisms, such as implantation of dental amalgam, to complex medical disorders, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Although most of the time they are solitary lesions there can be more than one. 1,2 The oral melanotic macule presents in patients older than 40 years as a flat, blue, brown, or black, mostly solitary lesion less than 10 mm in diameter. We present evidence that this is a benign entity. Although it can appear at any age in either sex, race, or gender, it is most commonly found in people who are dark skinned and in their middle ages and are female. Multiple lesions may be a sign of a widespread skin condition, such as: A labial melanotic macule has a characteristic pattern when examined with the magnifying glass or by dermoscopy. 6 Biopsy for routine histopathologic examination is recommended to rule out oral melanoma in patients with melanotic macule on the palate, where malignant melanoma is most prevalent. Histologically, this is evidenced by abundant melanin pigmentation within the basal epithelial cell layer with melanin incontinence in … These conditions can be differentiated from labial melanotic macule by a combination of clinical and histological features. The presence of numerous melanotic macules on the body may be associated with a variety of syndromes including Carney complex, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and LEOPARD syndrome. Oral Melanotic Macule identifiable etiologic factor, the term oral melanotic macule has been suggested2. Occasionally the lesion can be on the upper lip. Melanotic Macule Causes There is a variety of causes for a person to have a melanotic macule. Some of those causes can include: If the melanotic macule begins to change in texture, color, or shape it may be a cause for concern and should be check by either your physician or dermatologist. Excision can also be performed but will leave a scar. Background: Genital melanotic macules are poorly recognized lesions, which appear as isolated discrete macules. As labial melanotic macules almost always occur on the central third of the lower lip, a site receiving maximum sun exposure, … The most common lesions are oral and labial melanotic macules. Melanin pigmentation tends to be present in significant amounts in the basal-cell layer and less often in the lamina propria. Currently, there is no specific cause for this vulvar benign but there are some rarely linked factors. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages, breadcrumbs A variation of the melanotic macule is the ephelis, or freckle, which generally appears as a small (2- to 3-mm) brown spot on the lip. A labial melanotic macule may be confused with another pigmented skin lesion. Macules can be caused by various conditions that affect the appearance of your skin, resulting in areas of discoloration. Suspicious lesions, including lesions showing progressive change, should be biopsied. Some of the possible causes of Hypermelanotic macule or similar disorders may include: 2. It is the name for a freckle arising on the lip. [Sponsored content]. Multiple lentiginosis (various syndromes including. Some of those causes can include: Being born with one or having it appear in early childhood, which is common for people who have dark skin. Lesions with a typical history and appearance need not be biopsied. Once developed the lesions usually remain unchanged in size and colour. Their occurrence, usually as new pigmented lesions in adult life, can cause concern because they can mimic early melanoma. In some people, if they opt to have it removed the tissue may heal well and leave little or no depression or scar. Conditions that are likely to cause macules are: vitiligo; moles; freckles 2003;139:767-770 YPERPIGMENTED lesions involving the oral mu-cosa have various patho-genetic causes. A dermatologist can evaluate a melanotic macule to determine if it poses any health risks to the patient. Melanotic macules are caused by functional hyperactivity of the regional melanocytes (ie, there is increased melanin production). For most of the melanotic macule your dermatologist or physician will observe it over time to make sure that it does not change in shape, color, or texture and will not remove it and it will not need any treatment. Oral pigmentation is a relatively common condition that may involve any portion of the oral cavity. Usually solitary, a labial melanotic macule is most commonly seen in adult women but it also occurs in males and in young people. Objective: Our purpose was to define the clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and electronmicroscopic features of genital melanotic macules. This medical condition is a dark spot that is usually found on your lips, usually the bottom one but can appear on the top lip also. It may also arise on the gingival, buccal, or palatal mucosa. Oral melanotic macules may have more of a predilection toward malignant melanoma than LMM. It occurs in approximately three percent of the population of the world. Some of the rare genetic disorders associated with this condition include the following: 1. They can occasionally have an irregular edge and there may be a history of colour change which can cause confusion with other pigmented lesions, including melanoma. See smartphone apps to check your skin. Being born with one or having it appear in early childhood, which is common for people who have dark skin. The labial melanotic macule: a review of 79 cases. Size ranges from 1–8 mm. Mucosal melanotic macule is a broader term encompassing lesions of the mouth as well as the lip. We have followed up these patients for up to 13 years and 3 months (mean 6 years, 3 months). If a child has one it is usually because of their race. A labial melanotic macule is a well-defined, oval, brown to black, flat patch on the central third of the lower lip. Similar freckles may also occur in areas that are not exposed to the sun: Labial melanotic macules do not cause any symptoms but their appearance can be a concern to the patient. Labial melanotic macule (low power); mild acanthosis without elongation of rete ridges. A number of inherited diseases are manifested by pigmented oral lesions. DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service. Clinically presentation of melanotic macules are typically a brown, black, blue or grey area that is well circumscribed, lesions are usually less than 10 mm in diameter but can be larger in some cases. Their etiology is not clear and it may represent a physiologic or reactive process. H Arch Dermatol. However it may also occur in dark-skinned individuals and, as described above, similar lesions can arise in sites that are never sun-exposed. Diagnosis confirmation. It can even be found on the inside of your mouth, gums, called gingiva, the roof your mouth on the soft or hard palate, or inner cheek called buccal mucosa. 7,8 Oral melanotic macule is a non-cancerous (benign), dark spot found on the lips or inside the mouth. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2011.02.040. Contact us to sponsor a DermNet newsletter. Oral melanotic macule and primary oral malignant melanoma: epidemiology, location involved, and clinical implications. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice. NAME syndrome– a … These spots usually appear on the lips or genitals and can have a number of causes. Lichen sclerosis – a skin disease which is characterized by white patches while are usually thinner than normal skin Some linked genetic disorders may include: 1. A labial melanotic macule is thought to be provoked by sun exposure, and it is more common in fair-skinned people.