Papule

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Contrast with "macule" and other lesions at Skin condition § Primary lesions.
Papule
skin[2]

A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the

vesicle.[2] A papule is smaller than a nodule; it can be as tiny as a pinhead and is typically less than 1 cm in width, according to some sources,[2][3] and 0.5 cm according to others.[4] When merged together, it appears as a plaque.[4]

Its color might indicate its cause, such as white in

yellowish in xanthoma and black in melanoma.[2] They may open when scratched and become infected and crusty.[5]

Definition

Papule and plaque

A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the

skin.[2] It is smaller than a nodule; it can be as tiny as a pinhead and is typically less than 1 cm in width, according to some sources,[2][3] and 0.5 cm according to others.[4]

Evaluation

A papule may have a rounded, pointed or flat top, and may have a dip.

scales.[2] A papule can be flesh colored, yellow, white, brown, black, blue or purplish, or varying shades of red.[4][6] The intensity of redness might indicate how long the papule has been present.[6] There may be just one or many, and they may occur irregularly in different parts of the body or appear in clusters.[2] It may progress to a pustule or vesicle.[2]

Differential diagnosis

Angiofibromas are papules, types of which include the usually solitary fibrous papule of the nose and periungual angiofibroma, and multiple in pearly penile papules, and the facial angiofibromas as may be seen in tuberous sclerosis.[7]

Papules with scale on the palms and soles may occur in

eczema, tinea manuum, mycosis fungoides.[6] In lichen planus papules may be itchy, flat-topped, polygonal, purplish with white streaks, and can be solitary, or occur in clusters or in a line.[6]

See also

  • List of cutaneous conditions

References

  1. ^ "Papule definition and meaning - Collins English Dictionary".
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6
    .
  3. ^ a b c d Oakley, Amanda. "Terminology in dermatology". dermnetnz.org. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-323-61269-2
    .
  5. ^ "papule" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-1-84882-839-1
    .
  7. ISBN 978-0-323-54988-2
    .
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