Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia (AHLE) is a rare skin disorder that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. AHLE is most common in females usually beginning after age 30. Clinically, painful red papules and plaques appear on the scalp around the ears. These lesions may also be seen in other anatomic areas such as the oral cavity, trunk, extremities and genitalia. AHLE arises spontaneously but also may be the result of trauma in which a vein and artery connect to form an ateriovenous fistula. The skin lesions in AHLE do not typically resolve on their own so surgical treatment is usually needed to excise the recalcitrant lesions. If trauma is the cause, then removal of the underlying ateriovenous anomaly is necessary. Lasers and electrodessication have also been used as treatment options.
