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. A labial melanotic macule may be confused with another pigmented skin lesion. 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). We present evidence that this is a benign entity. If treatment is requested the macules can be frozen (cryotherapy) or removed using a laser or intense pulsed light. There are two major related factors, including: 1. It may also arise on the gingival, buccal, or palatal mucosa. 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. Excision but using this form of removal will leave you a scar. Conclusion: The congenital lingual melanotic macule represents a clinically distinct, benign, pigmented oral melanoticlesion,andmaybemorecommonthanthelit-erature suggests. Melanotic macules are benign pigmented lesions that are found in the oral cavity, caused by an increase in pigmentation in the basal cell layer of the epithelium and the lamina propria. Hence, treatment is not required. Some possible causes of Hypermelanotic macule or similar disorders may include: 4 Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Hypermelanotic macule) Amish infantile epilepsy syndrome (Hypermelanotic macule) Angioma serpiginosum, X-linked (Hypermelanotic macule) Lesions can also be found in the mouth (oral melanotic macule), on the vulva (vulval labial melanotic macule; vulval melanosis) or on the penis (penile melanotic macule). Histologically, this is evidenced by abundant melanin pigmentation within the basal epithelial cell layer with melanin incontinence in … A melanotic macule is a benign pigmented lesion of oral cavity characterised by increase in melanin pigmentation. HYPERPIGMENTED lesions involving the oral mucosa have various pathogenetic causes. 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. The labial melanotic macule: a review of 79 cases. Oral melanoacanthoma and oral melanotic macule: a report of 8 cases, review of the literature, and immunohistochemical analysis Román Carlos-Bregni 1 , Elisa Contreras 1 , Ana Carolina Netto , Adalberto Mosqueda-Taylor 2 , Pablo Agustin Vargas 3 , Jacks Some of the rare genetic disorders associated with this condition include the following: 1. As labial melanotic macules almost always occur on the central third of the lower lip, a site receiving maximum sun exposure, … The oral melanotic macule (MM) is a small, well-circumscribed brown-to-black macule that occurs on the lips and mucous membranes. GENETIC CAUSES. H Arch Dermatol. Currently, there is no specific cause for this vulvar benign but there are some rarely linked factors. Oral Melanotic Macule identifiable etiologic factor, the term oral melanotic macule has been suggested2. Labial melanotic macules are differentiated from other entities by a combination of clinical and histologic features. In such cases, the cause of the condition is genetically-influenced 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 lentiginosis (various syndromes including. Author: Dr Mark Duffill, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2008. We have followed up these patients for up to 13 years and 3 months (mean 6 years, 3 months). The exact cause of Melanotic Macules of Oral Mucosa is not well-understood. Oral melanotic macule and primary oral malignant melanoma: epidemiology, location involved, and clinical implications. Macules can be caused by various conditions that affect the appearance of your skin, resulting in areas of discoloration. Melanotic Macule Causes There is a variety of causes for a person to have a melanotic macule. DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Melanin is a normal skin pigment that gives the skin its darker color. Once developed the lesions usually remain unchanged in size and colour. If the melanotic macule is removed it can create a small scar or depression in the tissue which may or may not be noticeable. Luckily, melanotic macules are harmless. Gupta G, Williams REA, Mackie RM. What causes an oral melanotic macule? DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service. It is the name for a freckle arising on the lip. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2011.02.040. If a child has one it is usually because of their race. British Journal of Dermatology 19997:136: 772-775. However, we know that it is due to over-production and accumulation of melanin within the tissues. Who's at risk? 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. Being born with one or having it appear in early childhood, which is common for people who have dark skin. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice. A number of inherited diseases are manifested by pigmented oral lesions. The color of the lesion is normally darker than the tissue that surrounds it. Labial melanotic macule causes Labial melanotic macule is thought to be provoked by sun exposure, and it is more common in fair skinned people. Suspicious lesions, including lesions showing progressive change, should be biopsied. There are two major linked conditions. According to RDH Magazine, this common oral condition is present in 3 percent of the general population and is caused by a … However it may also occur in dark-skinned individuals and, as described above, similar lesions can arise in sites that are never sun-exposed. There is a variety of causes for a person to have a melanotic macule. Melanotic macule may be indicative of preexisting disorders such as Addison’s disease; Treatment of melanotic macule. If a person decides that they do want them removed this can be done by: Pictures collection of the condition Melanotic Macule…, 35 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus (COVID-19) – (with references). Genetic disorders 2. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome– a genetic disorder with benign hamartomatous polyps in the GI tract, lips and oral mucosa 3. 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. Oral melanotic macule is a non-cancerous (benign), dark spot found on the lips or inside the mouth. 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. Their occurrence, usually as new pigmented lesions in adult life, can cause concern because they can mimic early melanoma. Labial melanotic macule. [Congenital melanotic macules of the tongue] It is also sometimes called a labial lentigo and when multiple lesions are present, mucosal melanosis. When numerous macules are observed, they may be found in association with certain genetic conditions or syndromes. Intense pulsed light therapy which is a form of laser therapy. 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. Contact us to sponsor a DermNet newsletter. Mucosal melanotic macule is a broader term encompassing lesions of the mouth as well as the lip. Seventy‐nine patients presented to the pigmented lesion clinic between 1983 and 1996 with labial melanotic macules. What is the cause of labial melanotic macule? Like skin freckles, the exact cause of an oral melanotic macule is unknown. This lesion is completely benign, but biopsy must be performed to differentiate it from melanoma. Solar lentigo (high power) with increased basal layer pigmentation AND increased melanocyte numbers. These spots usually appear on the lips or genitals and can have a number of causes. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages, breadcrumbs Congenital lingual melanotic macules represent a clinically distinct and benign cause of hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa. 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. Lesions with a typical history and appearance need not be biopsied. Luckily, melanoma is very rare on the lip (but it can occur). A mucosal melanocytic macule is a well-defined, oval, brown to black, flat patch, usually found on the lip (a labial melanocytic macule). 7,8 Oral melanotic macules do not cause an increase in the number of melanocytes and are not associated with a predisposition to melanoma. When these macules occur in isolation, they are usually sporadic and no associated conditions are observed. Typical lesions can just be observed. An oral melanotic macule found on the lip is sometimes called a labial melanotic macule. It has also been found on the genital areas. DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service. The most common lesions are oral In the literature, the oral melanotic macule has been given various inappropriate and erroneous names, such as ephelis5,6 and lentigo7,8. These conditions can be differentiated from labial melanotic macule by a combination of clinical and histological features. A melanotic macule is normally benign, which means it is not cancerous. Home Another name for this medical condition is labial melanotic macule and it is sometimes referred to as a freckle on the lip. A labial melanotic macule is thought to be provoked by sun exposure, and it is more common in fair-skinned people. The melanosis may occur on the vermilion border of the lip or the gingiva due to postinflammatory or posttraumatic causes. There are no outstanding histologic differences among the eighty specimens. [Sponsored content]. Labial melanotic macule (low power); mild acanthosis without elongation of rete ridges. To make sure what type of treatment is needed, if any, they will usually do a skin biopsy to confirm if it is melanotic macule or another medical condition that could be precancerous or cancerous. Figure 3. Local irritants, such as smoking, may also result in melanosis of varying degrees. A dermatologist can evaluate a melanotic macule to determine if it poses any health risks to the patient. 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. A labial melanotic macule is a well-defined, oval, brown to black, flat patch on the central third of the lower lip. Simple lentigo — Simple lentigines often appear during childhood as sharply circumscribed, round-to-oval, uniformly brown or … This dark area could be a melanotic macule, which is a noncancerous dark patch on the skin — called hyperpigmentation — of a mucous membrane. A labial melanotic macule is thought to be provoked by sun exposure, and it is more common in fair-skinned people. 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. Clinical and dermatoscopic features of labial melanotic macule. However it may also occur in dark-skinned individuals and, as described above, similar lesions can arise in sites that are never sun-exposed. 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