Definition
The papules are small lesions of the skin, detected with respect to the skin plane; being in relief, unlike macules, they are palpable.
Usually, papules have a diameter less than 10 mm and, in some cases, assume a cluster conformation and are accompanied by a skin rash.
As mentioned, a papule is solid, therefore perceptible or palpable to the touch. Unlike pustules, however, papules do not contain pus.
Papules can be caused by inflammation, which, in turn, can be caused by skin excoriation or infection (local or widespread). Even abnormal growth of blood vessels or skin cells can cause it to develop. Examples of papules are snow, warts, insect bites, some acne lesions and skin neoplasms.
Close-up image of conical skin formations called papules - Taken from: wilipedia.org
Possible Causes * of Papule
- Acne
- Anthrax
- Basal-cell carcinoma (or basalioma)
- Squamo-cell carcinoma
- Actinic keratosis
- Chikungunya
- Cryoglobulinemia
- cryptococcosis
- Dengue
- Perioral dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- dermatofibroma
- Dermatophytosis
- Ebola
- Verruciform Epidermodysplasia
- Erythema multiforme
- Marburg hemorrhagic fever
- Pendulous Fibroids
- folliculitis
- Annular granuloma
- Pyogenic granuloma
- Genital herpes
- West Nile virus infection
- Leprosy
- Leishmaniasis
- Lichen planus
- Lichen Simplex
- Venereal lymphogranuloma
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Cat scratch disease
- Lyme disease
- Melanoma
- miliaria
- Molluscum contagiosum
- snows
- Spitz nevus
- Bullous pemphigoid
- Pityriasis rosea
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Scabies
- Schistosomiasis
- Sixth disease
- Syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis
- African trypanosomiasis
- Penile cancer
- Smallpox
- chickenpox
- warts
- Zika virus
