Clear Cell Acanthoma vs Psoriasis

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

Feature
Clear Cell Acanthoma
Psoriasis
Category
Benign
Common
Key feature
Rare, benign red-brown nodule on the lower legs. Slow-growing with a distinctive wafer-like scale pattern.
Chronic autoimmune condition causing thick, silvery scaly patches. Affects 2-3% of the population. Not contagious.
Risk factors
Age over 50; No known environmental risk factors
Family history of psoriasis (strongest risk factor); Stress (major trigger for flares); Obesity
Action needed
A persistent, solitary red-brown nodule on the lower leg
Persistent thick, scaly patches that do not respond to moisturizers

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.

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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly accelerates skin cell growth. Normal skin cells mature and shed in about a month; in psoriasis, this process takes only 3-4 days, causing cells to pile up into thick, silvery-white scales on red, inflamed patches.

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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 →