Oral Melanotic Macules - Medtick
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Oral Melanotic Macules

What is it?

A dark spot found on the lips or inside the mouth also known as labial melanotic macule due to an increase in melanin pigmentation along the basal cell layer of the epithelium and the lamina propria (skin layers).

  • Females are more affected than males.

Common areas include:

  • Lips particularly the lower lip
  • Gums
  • Inner cheek
  • Roof of the mouth

Cause

  • Unknown
  • Increase in melanin pigmentation along the basal cell layer of the epithelium and the lamina propria (skin layers).
  • Trauma
  • Endocrine disturbance
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Long term respiratory disease

Syndromes

Medication

  • Chloroquine

J Indian Soc Pedo Prev Dent June (2004) 22 (2) 73 – 75
http://medind.nic.in/jao/t04/i2/jaot04i2p
73o.pdf

Symptoms

  • On its own flat spot/mark?
  • Brown, black, blue or grey , tan-to-dark-brown spot usually less than 10 mm/1 cm  in diameter?
  • Well-defined border?
  • Uniform (one colour evenly spread) colour?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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