Atopic dermatitis (AD) may present with distinct clinical features in individuals with dark skin, often posing diagnostic challenges. We report a pediatric case of follicular AD in a dark-skinned patient to highlight its characteristic clinical presentation. The eruption consisted of bilateral, symmetrical, multiple, discrete, purplish to brownish follicular scaly papules distributed over the trunk, back, and both upper and lower limbs. Dermoscopy revealed a white-brown background, normal-appearing terminal hairs in the center, perifollicular desquamation, multiple dotted vessels with heterogeneous distribution, and hemorrhagic crusts; histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. This report emphasizes the importance of recognizing these specific clinical and dermoscopic features of AD in dark skin to improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize management.
Kozmane et al. (2026) studied this question.