Follicular eczema: a commonly misdiagnosed dermatosis.

A 12-year old boy presented with a 2 months history of an itchy eruption over the extremities. The patient complained of a cyclic course with exacerbation in winter. There was no history of asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Examination revealed grouped follicular papules forming discoid patches (Fig 1) predominantly over the extensor aspect of forearms and legs. The papules were skin colored, dome shaped and topped with pityriasiform scale. There was associated generalized xerosis. Skin biopsy showed spongiotic dermatitis localised to the upper portion of hair follicle. The patient was given a midpotent steroid with emollient with complete resolution of the lesion in three weeks.