Papular eczema, or papular dermatitis, is a type of atopic dermatitis. It causes bumps called papules on the skin. It can be itchy and may lead to infections. Home remedies and medications can help manage symptoms.
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause itching and irritation. It is caused by an immune response in the body. There are several types of eczema, including papular eczema.
A dermatologist can diagnose papular eczema and help develop a treatment plan. The type of medication they recommend can depend on whether symptoms are mild or severe, as well as whether treatment is for a child or an adult.
Read on for more information about papular eczema. This article looks at symptoms and causes, how doctors diagnose the condition, treatment options, and more.
View the slideshow below for photos of papular eczema.
The primary symptom of papular eczema is a skin rash made of small lumps and bumps that resemble acne. The rash can appear anywhere on your body but is most likely to appear on your stomach, arms, and legs, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Other symptoms include:
- itching
- dry skin
- cracked skin
- skin that is prone to infections
Symptoms in children
Symptoms in infants are slightly different from the symptoms found in children and adults.
Eczema in babies most often starts on the cheeks or scalp, but it can also develop elsewhere. Papules on infant skin may develop on the chest and stomach.
Other symptoms in infants can include:
- dry skin
- trouble sleeping
- showing signs of discomfort such as frequent crying
- rubbing against bedding and carpet when crawling to scratch itch
- skin that is prone to infections
Diaper rash or eczema?
Infants rarely develop papular eczema under their diapers. A rash with raised bumps in this area is much more likely to be a diaper rash than papular eczema.
A pediatrician or dermatologist can help you determine the cause of the rash and prescribe treatment.
According to a
People with darker skin also tend to develop follicular accentuation along with papular eczema more often compared with lighter-skinned individuals.
Follicular accentuation is a condition that causes inflammation in your hair follicles. It can lead to additional symptoms such as:
- a rash that resembles goosebumps
- hairs that stand up on end
- swelling around the rash
- skin that is warm to the touch
Research points to a combination of factors — including the epidemiology and pathology of eczema, as well as access to treatment — contributing to the higher prevalence and outcome of these conditions in people of color.
Learn more about symptoms of eczema in people of color.
Papular eczema is an autoinflammatory condition. It’s the result of the immune system attacking healthy parts of the body. However, the exact cause of papular eczema is unclear.
Problems with a gene that creates a skin barrier protein called filaggrin
Exposure to triggers often causes eczema outbreaks. These triggers are different for everyone. Some common triggers for papular eczema include:
- pollen
- dust mites
- pet dander
- harsh soaps
- extreme weather conditions
There are some risk factors that make it more likely someone will develop papular eczema. These factors don’t mean you’ll definitely get papular eczema, but they do increase the likelihood.
Some risk factors for papular eczema include:
- having a family member with any type of eczema
- having any type of eczema
- having asthma or hay fever
- having a family member with asthma or hay fever
A dermatologist can diagnose papular eczema. Generally, they will start by examining your skin and asking a series of questions. They will usually ask about:
- what symptoms you have
- when your symptoms began
- where on your body rashes appear
- if you have any relatives with any kind of eczema
Your dermatologist may order other tests, such as a patch test, if more information is necessary to make a diagnosis.
There is no cure for papular eczema, but it is possible to manage symptoms.
Your treatment will focus on reducing your symptoms and preventing infections. The exact treatment route for you will depend on the severity of your eczema, but the Primary Care Dermatology Society explains that treatments for papular eczema are usually the same as treatments for atopic dermatitis in general.
Home remedies
Some important eczema management techniques are suitable in almost all cases of eczema, including infant and childhood eczema. These techniques treatment:
- keeping skin clean
- limiting baths and showers to 10 minutes and using lukewarm water
- keeping skin well moisturized
- using fragrance-free and dye-free skin products
- avoiding any known triggers
Medical treatments
Medical treatments can also help manage papular eczema. People with mild cases of papular eczema might benefit from over-the-counter creams to reduce itching.
Prescription creams are also an option, and can include:
- corticosteroid creams
- creams that suppress your immune response, such as topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs)
- crisaborole ointment
- ruxolitinib cream
- roflumilast cream
Treatment creams for children and infants will be milder than creams for adults. It’s important to only use prescription creams on children that are for the child and to use them as directed.
Oral antihistamines may help manage itching during an outbreak.
Phototherapy may help with severe eczema. This treatment uses ultraviolet B light to decrease inflammatory cells in the skin and decrease itching and inflammation.
Injection of medications called biologics can also be used to reduce inflammation in severe papular eczema.
There’s currently no cure for papular eczema, but you can manage it with the right treatments. Avoiding triggers, moisturizing the skin, and following a medical treatment plan can help.
Prescription creams can help calm an outbreak and reduce itching and inflammation. A dermatologist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Papular eczema is a type of eczema that causes bumps to appear on the skin. It can also cause inflammation of your hair follicles called follicular accentuation.
The condition can affect both adults and children. People of any age and ethnicity can develop papular eczema, but it occurs more frequently in people of color.
There’s currently no cure for papular eczema, but treatments can help you manage the condition and outbreaks. These can include home remedies and medical treatments.
You can work with your doctor to create a suitable treatment plan to help manage the severity and frequency of flares.