Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia

LAST UPDATED: Jul 16, 2026

Acknowledgements: Original author - Dr Tim Cunliffe

Introduction

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is an uncommon idiopathic condition that manifests in adults as isolated or grouped papules, plaques, or nodules in the skin of the head and neck. It is rare in the UK, and relatively more common in Japan.

This chapter is set out as follows:

History
Clinical findings
Images
Investigations
Management

History

Mainly arises in young adults

Clinical findings

Ears and hairline most common sites
A group of small, red-skin coloured translucent nodules
Spontaneous regression is seen in the majority of cases

Clinical Images

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Angiolymphoid hyperplasiaCopied with kind…

Dermoscopic appearance of previous figureCopied…

Investigations

Eosinophilia is present in approximately 20% of patients

Management

Observation should normally be first line as spontaneous regression is seen in the majority of cases
Cryotherapy or surgical excision can be performed but lesions often recur

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