P-VMMs Common in Black Adults, May Not Be Related to Trauma

Background: Melanotic macules appearing on volar surfaces are understudied, and their origin is not well known. Objective: To assess the clinical/historical/dermatoscopic features of physiologic volar melanotic macules (P-VMM) in persons with skin of color. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants/Methods: 200 adult patients from Jamaica and Massachusetts had clinical and dermatoscopic images taken to document size, color, localization, distribution, and dermoscopic patterns in those with P-VMM. Demographic, occupational, and trauma histories with collected through questionnaires. Results: 91.8% (n=89) of participants with P-VMM were black; the remainder were composed of those of mixed-race, Indian Asian, and Hispanic. The female-to-male ratio was 2.5:1. Overall, 67% had both palms/soles involved. Macules were primarily light-to-dark brown, round/oval, and 5 to 10 mm in diameter. No significant difference in trauma or weight-bearing/non–weight-bearing was found. Occupations more...