Patch vs. Macule — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
A patch is a larger, flat, non-palpable area of altered skin coloration or texture, while a macule is a small, distinct, flat spot on the skin that is solely a color change.
Difference Between Patch and Macule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A patch is a term used in dermatology to describe an area of skin that is visibly altered in color or texture and is larger than 1 cm, whereas a macule refers to a small, flat blemish or discoloration on the skin that does not involve changes in skin texture or thickness and is typically less than 1 cm.
While patches can include changes in texture such as thickening or scaling, macules are solely changes in color, without any elevation or depression noticeable when touched.
Patches are often visible due to their size and can affect the diagnosis and treatment of various dermatological conditions, on the other hand, macules, while potentially numerous, might be less noticeable but can indicate conditions like measles or vitiligo.
The term patch is sometimes used more broadly to refer to any distinct area of discoloration, regardless of texture, whereas macules are strictly defined by their lack of texture and small size.
In terms of patient concern, patches might be more likely to prompt a medical consultation due to their size and potential for textural changes, whereas macules, being smaller and less pronounced, might be overlooked unless they are numerous or in a visible location.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger than 1 cm
Less than 1 cm
Texture
Can include texture changes
No texture change
Visibility
More noticeable due to size
Less noticeable due to small size
Examples
Psoriasis, eczema
Freckles, flat moles
Medical Relevance
Often leads to consultations
Important in diagnosing systemic conditions
Compare with Definitions
Patch
Used figuratively to denote an area distinct from its surroundings.
A patch of sunlight brightened the room.
Macule
Strictly involves color changes without texture alteration.
The dermatologist noted several red macules on the patient’s chest.
Patch
A large area of altered skin color or texture.
The patient showed a large, scaly patch on the back.
Macule
A small, flat spot on the skin that is a different color than the surrounding area.
After sun exposure, several brown macules appeared on her skin.
Patch
Sometimes refers to a repair or covering section.
She sewed a patch on her jeans.
Macule
Often used to identify skin diseases.
Macules are early signs of measles.
Patch
Used to describe areas affected by certain skin conditions.
Patches of dry skin are common in eczema.
Macule
Not palpable above the skin's surface.
The macule was completely flat against his skin.
Patch
Also a temporary solution or fix.
He applied a software patch to fix the bug.
Macule
Can appear in any skin tone.
In darker skin, macules may appear lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
Patch
A small piece of material affixed to another, larger piece to conceal, reinforce, or repair a worn area, hole, or tear.
Macule
An area of skin discoloration.
Patch
A small piece of cloth used for patchwork.
Macule
Variant of mackle.
Patch
A small cloth badge affixed to a garment as a decoration or an insignia, as of a military unit.
Macule
A discolored spot or area on the skin that is not elevated above the surface and is characteristic of certain conditions, such as smallpox, purpura, or roseola. Also called macula.
Patch
A dressing or covering applied to protect a wound or sore.
Macule
A blurred or double impression in printing.
Patch
A pad or shield of cloth worn over an eye socket or an injured eye.
Macule
To blur or double (a printed impression).
Patch
A transdermal patch.
Macule
To become blurred.
Patch
See beauty spot.
Macule
A spot.
Patch
A small piece, part, or section, especially that which differs from or contrasts with the whole
A patch of thin ice.
Patches of sunlight.
Macule
A blur or an appearance of a double impression, as when the paper slips a little during printing.
Patch
A small plot or piece of land, especially one that produces or is used for growing specific vegetation
A briar patch.
A bean patch.
Macule
(printing) To blur or be blurred; especially to blur or double an impression from type.
Patch
An indefinite period of time; a spell
Weathered a difficult patch after losing his job.
Macule
A spot.
Patch
A temporary, removable electronic connection, as one between two components in a communications system.
Macule
A blur, or an appearance of a double impression, as when the paper slips a little; a mackle.
Patch
(Computers) A piece of code added to software in order to fix a bug, especially as a temporary correction between two releases.
Macule
To blur; especially (Print.), to blur or double an impression from type. See Mackle.
Patch
To put a patch or patches on
Patched my pants.
Macule
A patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases
Patch
To make by sewing scraps of material together
Patch a quilt.
Patch
To mend, repair, or put together, especially hastily, clumsily, or poorly
They patched together the broken statues with glue and plaster. The delegates will be forced to patch up their differences.
Patch
To connect temporarily (electronic components), as with a patch cord.
Patch
(Computers) To correct a bug in (an item of software), especially as a temporary correction between releases.
Patch
(Electronics) To be connected temporarily.
Patch
A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it, especially upon an old garment to cover a hole.
His sleeves had patches on the elbows where different fabric had been sewn on to replace material that had worn away.
Patch
A small piece of anything used to repair damage or a breach; as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.
I can't afford to replace the roof, which is what it really needs. I'll have the roofer apply a patch.
Patch
A piece of any size, used to repair something for a temporary period only, or that it is temporary because it is not meant to last long or will be removed as soon as a proper repair can be made, which will happen in the near future.
Before you can fix a dam, you have to apply a patch to the hole so that everything can dry off.
"This patch should hold until you reach the city," the mechanic said as he patted the car's hood.
Patch
A small, usually contrasting but always somehow different or distinct, part of something else (location, time, size)
The world economy had a rough patch in the 1930s.
To me, a normal cow is white with black patches, but Sarah's from Texas and most of the cows there have solid brown, black, or red coats.
Doesn't that patch of clouds looks like a bunny?
When ice skating, be sure to stay away from reeds: there are always thin patches of ice there, and you could fall through.
Patch
A small area, a small plot of land or piece of ground.
Scattered patches of trees or growing corn.
Patch
A local region of professional responsibility.
Patch
(historical) A small piece of black silk stuck on the face or neck to heighten beauty by contrast, worn by ladies in the 17th and 18th centuries; an imitation beauty mark.
Patch
(medicine) A piece of material used to cover a wound.
Patch
(medicine) An adhesive piece of material, impregnated with a drug, which is worn on the skin, the drug being slowly absorbed over a period of time.
Many people use a nicotine patch to wean themselves off of nicotine.
Patch
(medicine) A cover worn over a damaged eye, an eyepatch.
He had scratched his cornea so badly that his doctor told him to wear a patch.
Patch
A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the effect of dispart, in sighting.
Patch
(computing) A patch file, a file that describes changes to be made to a computer file or files, usually changes made to a computer program that fix a programming bug.
Patch
(firearms) A small piece of material that is manually passed through a gun barrel to clean it.
Patch
(firearms) A piece of greased cloth or leather used as wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.
Patch
A cable connecting two pieces of electrical equipment.
Soundboard patch
Patch
(music) A sound setting for a musical synthesizer (originally selected by means of a patch cable).
Patch
An overlay used to obtain a stronger impression.
Patch
A butterfly of the genus Chlosyne.
Patch
(archaic) A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool.
Patch
To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather, or the like
My coat needs patching.
Patch
To mend with pieces; to repair by fastening pieces on.
Patch
To make out of pieces or patches, like a quilt.
Patch
To join or unite the pieces of; to patch the skirt.
Patch
To employ a temporary, removable electronic connection, as one between two components in a communications system.
Patch
(generally with the particle "up") To repair or arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner
The truce between the two countries has been patched up.
Patch
(computing) To make the changes a patch describes; to apply a patch to the files in question. Hence:
Patch
To fix or improve a computer program without a complete upgrade.
Patch
To make a quick and possibly temporary change to a program.
Patch
To connect two pieces of electrical equipment using a cable.
I'll need to patch the preamp output to the mixer.
Patch
A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it, esp. upon an old garment to cover a hole.
Patches set upon a little breach.
Patch
A small piece of anything used to repair a breach; as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.
Patch
A small piece of black silk stuck on the face, or neck, to hide a defect, or to heighten beauty.
Your black patches you wear variously.
Patch
A piece of greased cloth or leather used as wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.
Patch
Fig.: Anything regarded as a patch; a small piece of ground; a tract; a plot; as, scattered patches of trees or growing corn.
Employed about this patch of ground.
Patch
A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the effect of dispart, in sighting.
Patch
A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool.
Patch
To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather, or the like; as, to patch a coat.
Patch
To mend with pieces; to repair with pieces festened on; to repair clumsily; as, to patch the roof of a house.
Patch
To adorn, as the face, with a patch or patches.
Ladies who patched both sides of their faces.
Patch
To make of pieces or patches; to repair as with patches; to arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner; - generally with up; as, to patch up a truce.
Patch
A small contrasting part of something;
A bald spot
A leopard's spots
A patch of clouds
Patches of thin ice
A fleck of red
Patch
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Patch
A piece of cloth used as decoration or to mend or cover a hole
Patch
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
Patch
A short set of commands to correct a bug in a computer program
Patch
A connection intended to be used for a limited time
Patch
Sewing or darning that repairs a worn or torn hole (especially in a garment);
Her stockings had several mends
Patch
A protective cloth covering for an injured eye
Patch
A piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
Patch
To join or unite the pieces of;
Patch the skirt
Patch
Provide with a patch; also used metaphorically;
The field was patched with snow
Patch
Mend by putting a patch on;
Patch a hole
Patch
Repair by adding pieces;
She pieced the china cup
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between a patch and a macule?
The main difference is size and texture; patches are larger and may have texture changes, while macules are smaller and only involve color changes.
Are patches always raised?
Not always; they can be simply areas of discoloration or texture change without being raised.
Do macules change over time?
They can evolve in color and number, but they remain flat and do not thicken.
Can patches and macules appear anywhere on the body?
Yes, they can appear on any skin surface.
How are patches and macules treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, ranging from topical medications for benign conditions to more intensive therapies for serious diseases.
What conditions can present as patches?
Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and some fungal infections.
What preventive measures can be taken against patches and macules?
Protective measures against sun exposure and regular skin checks can help manage and detect abnormal skin changes early.
Can both patches and macules be harmful?
Both can be benign or indicate more serious health issues, depending on the context and associated symptoms.
Are patches or macules a cause for immediate concern?
While not always urgent, any new, changing, or symptomatic skin lesions should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
How can one distinguish a patch from a macule?
By examining the size (greater or less than 1 cm) and feeling for texture changes.
Is there a genetic component to the appearance of patches and macules?
Some conditions that manifest as patches or macules, like vitiligo and freckles, have genetic factors.
What conditions can present as macules?
Conditions like vitiligo, freckles, and the initial stages of many rash-causing diseases like measles.
Are there any specific tests to diagnose conditions from patches or macules?
Dermatological examination, possibly including a biopsy or dermatoscopy, can help diagnose the specific condition.
Can macules be a sign of cancer?
Yes, certain skin cancers can initially present as macules, hence the importance of monitoring skin changes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
