What to know about follicular eczema: Symptoms and treatment Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is follicular eczema Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Mathieu Rees on September 28, 2022Eczema is a chronic skin condition that can manifest in a number of ways. In some people, eczema causes small bumps to form inside the hair follicles. This type of eczema is more common among people with dark skin. Although follicular eczema is incurable, people can manage the condition in a few different ways. This article discusses follicular eczema in more detail, including its symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention. It also answers some common questions about the condition. Follicular eczema symptoms Share on PinterestAks Huckleberry/500px/Getty ImagesEczema is a condition that affects a person’s skin. Follicular eczema occurs when eczema causes problems with the hair follicles. These are small holes in the skin from which hairs may grow. Eczema can cause small raised bumps called follicular papules to form in and around the hair follicle. This is the defining symptom of follicular eczema. People with follicular eczema may also experience other eczema symptoms, including:a rashdry skinitchy skinthickened skinblistering Importantly, eczema can present differently depending on the color of the skin. A paper in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology notes that in light skin, eczema will often present as red skin plaques. Contrastingly, in dark skin, eczema is also more likely to cause skin discoloration, lichenification, and papules. According to a review in Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Diseases, follicular eczema is also more common in people with dark skin. Causes of follicular eczema Scientists remain uncertain about the exact causes of follicular eczema. However, they believe that several factors may increase the risk of developing eczema. These include:Genetics: Certain genetic mutations may cause problems with the skin, which may predispose people to develop eczema.Immune system problems: In people with eczema, the skin may release certain proteins in response to environmental triggers. This can cause inflammation, which may trigger eczema symptoms.Skin barrier dysfunctions: People with eczema are more likely to experience a host of problems with the outer layers of their skin. This may occur because their skin does not produce enough skin barrier proteins. Eczema is a chronic condition. However, the symptoms can suddenly worsen, often in response to a triggering factor. This is called an eczema flare-up. Common triggers of these flare-ups include:dust mitescertain foods, including eggs, peanuts, and wheathigh heathigh humiditychemicals and soapssome fabrics, such as acrylic and wool Some people may also experience eczema flare-ups that have no obvious cause. A doctor can help a person identify their triggers. Treatment for follicular eczema There is currently no cure for eczema. However, scientists have developed several management strategies for this condition. An important step is to identify and avoid eczema triggers, which reduces the chances of an eczema flare-up. When an eczema flare-up does occur, topical steroids and anti-inflammatory medications are an effective way to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Doctors also recommend adopting a daily skin care routine. This will likely involve hydrating the skin with a fragrance-free moisturizer. People should speak with a healthcare professional to determine which treatment is best for their skin. Prevention Scientists do not know whether eczema is preventable. Researchers have tested several methods for preventing eczema. However, the evidence for their efficacy remains scant. According to a 2020 review, the following strategies do not appear to prevent eczema:exclusively nursing, rather than bottle feeding, during infancy prolonged childhood nursingreducing parental allergen exposure during pregnancyreducing child allergen exposure in early infancyparental vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy There is some evidence that children are less likely to develop eczema if their birthing parent used omega-3 supplements during pregnancy. There is also some evidence that people may lower their risk of eczema by consuming probiotics. However, this evidence is not conclusive. Further research into the possibility of eczema prevention is necessary. Frequently asked questions Below are answers to some of the most common questions about follicular eczema. Are eczema and folliculitis related Folliculitis is an infection or inflammation of the hair follicle. Although folliculitis is not a form of follicular eczema, eczema may increase the risk of folliculitis. What causes follicular eczema Follicular eczema may arise due to genetic factors, problems with the skin barrier, and immune system problems. Is follicular eczema contagious Follicular eczema is not a contagious condition. Summary When eczema affects the hair follicles, a healthcare professional may refer to it as follicular eczema. This condition is more prevalent among people with dark skin tones. The treatment for follicular eczema involves avoiding factors that may trigger a flare-up, using topical medications, and regularly moisturizing the skin. A healthcare professional can help a person find the right treatments for their skin. Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2022DermatologyAtopic Dermatitis / Eczema 11 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alexander, H., et al. (2019). The role of bacterial skin infections in atopic dermatitis: Expert statement and review from the International Eczema Council Skin Infection Group.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7317931/Cohen, P. R. (2014). Follicular contact dermatitis revisited: A review emphasizing neomycin-associated follicular contact dermatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266827/Girolomoni, G., et al. (2021). Nomenclature and clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8010850/Hair follicle. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/hair-follicleKim, J., et al. (2019). Pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: Clinical implications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6399565/Nemeth, V., et al. (2021). Eczema.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538209/Sangha, A. M. (2021). Dermatological conditions in skin of color-: Managing atopic dermatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8211323/Treatment: Atopic dermatitis. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/treatment/What is eczema? (n.d.).https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/Williams, H. C., et al. (2020). Prevention of atopic dermatitis.https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/html/10.2340/00015555-3516Winters, R. D., et al. (2022). Folliculitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547754/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Mathieu Rees on September 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat can be done about eczema on the scalp? Scalp eczema is usually the result of seborrheic dermatitis, which causes patches of flaky, itchy skin. Learn more here.READ MOREInfected eczema: What you need to know Eczema can become infected with bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In this article, we look at how to reduce the risk of this potentially painful infection.READ MOREEczema: New drug reduces symptoms by 75% in infants and young children In a recent clinical trial, researchers said the new drug dupilumab was effective in reducing eczema symptoms in young childrenREAD MOREWhat to know about sunscreen for eczemaMedically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Sunscreens help to protect a person's skin against ultraviolet light from the sun. People with eczema may find that some sunscreens irritate their…READ MORECan zinc oxide creams and supplements help eczema? Zinc deficiency has links to eczema, and people can use zinc oxide creams to treat eczema patches. Learn more.READ MORE