Follicular Mucinosis in a Young Male: A Case Report and Literature Review

Follicular mucinosis (FM), also known as alopecia mucinosa, is an uncommon cutaneous mucinosis defined by the deposition of glycosaminoglycan-rich mucin within the pilosebaceous unit. This abnormal accumulation primarily affects the outer root sheath of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, resulting in follicular epithelial degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and disruption of follicular architecture. Clinically, FM manifests as erythematous papules, indurated plaques, and localized areas of alopecia. We present the case of a 21-year-old male with a five-month history of a localized forehead lesion that demonstrated characteristic clinical and histopathologic features of FM, followed by a concise review of relevant literature.