Clear Cell Acanthoma vs Eczema

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

Feature
Clear Cell Acanthoma
Eczema
Category
Benign
Common
Key feature
Rare, benign red-brown nodule on the lower legs. Slow-growing with a distinctive wafer-like scale pattern.
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Risk factors
Age over 50; No known environmental risk factors
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Action needed
A persistent, solitary red-brown nodule on the lower leg
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone

Clear Cell Acanthoma

Clear cell acanthoma is an uncommon, benign epidermal tumor that typically presents as a solitary, well-defined, dome-shaped, red-brown or pink nodule on the lower leg. It is most common in middle-aged to elderly adults.

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 clear cell acanthoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like clear cell acanthoma? Answer 2 questions.

Is it a solitary red-brown or pink nodule on the lower leg?

Does it have a moist or glistening surface with a scale pattern?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →