Bowen's Disease vs Eczema

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Bowen's Disease
Eczema
Category
Pre-cancerous
Common
Key feature
Early-stage SCC confined to the top skin layer. A persistent, well-defined red scaly patch - 3-5% progress to invasive cancer.
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Risk factors
Chronic sun exposure; Fair skin; Age over 60
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Action needed
A persistent red scaly patch not responding to eczema or fungal treatments
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone

Bowen's Disease

Bowen's disease is squamous cell carcinoma in situ - malignant cells present but not yet invaded beyond the epidermis. It represents the stage between actinic keratosis and invasive SCC.

Read full guide →

Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing red, itchy, dry, and sometimes weeping or crusting patches. It is the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.

Read full guide →

Does yours look more like bowen's disease?

Quick self-check

Does this look like bowen's disease? Answer 2 questions.

Is it a single, well-defined scaly patch (not multiple)?

Has it persisted despite treatment attempts?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →