Eosinophilic Pustular Folliculitis Mimicking Varicella: A Diagnostic Challenge in an Adolescent Patient
February 2026
in “
Bioscientia Medicina Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research
”
TLDR Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis should be considered in teens with persistent skin issues for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
A 15-year-old male was misdiagnosed with varicella when he actually had eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF), a rare inflammatory skin condition. Despite initial treatment with acyclovir, his condition did not improve. Further examination and a biopsy revealed significant eosinophilic infiltration, confirming EPF. Treatment with corticosteroids led to rapid improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering EPF in adolescents with persistent skin eruptions and the need for early histopathological diagnosis to avoid unnecessary treatments.
