Eczema-like rashes are uncommon with psoriasis biologics, a large review finds
☕ Includes a question for the family ↓
PsoriasisPart of a story we are following · 2 articles · See every update
If you treat your psoriasis with a biologic, here is something useful to know: a different kind of rash, one that looks like eczema, shows up in only a small share of people. And if it does, it is something your dermatologist can work with.
That is the picture from a large review of the research. It also found that the chance changes depending on which type of biologic you take, how high the dose is, and whether you have ever had eczema.
What are biologics, and what is an eczema-like rash?
Biologics are medicines that quiet one part of the immune system that drives psoriasis. They are given by injection or infusion.
An eczema-like rash is a patch of skin that looks and feels like eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. It tends to be itchy, dry and poorly defined around the edges. It can look different from your usual psoriasis plaques.
Psoriasis and eczema run on partly opposite immune pathways. Turning down one can sometimes let the other show up. That is why researchers wanted to count how often it happens.
How the study worked
Researchers searched three medical databases up to January 2026 for studies of people with psoriasis who developed new or worse eczema while on a biologic. They pooled 26 publications covering 34,511 treatment exposures, and the results were published Oct. 16, 2026, in BioDrugs. The studies were built in different ways, and the comparisons between drug types come from separate studies rather than head-to-head trials.
What they found
Overall, about 2 in 100 treatments were followed by an eczema-like reaction (2.17%). So for most people, it does not happen.
The rate depended on the type of biologic:
IL-17 blockers had the highest rate at 3.47%. IL-12/23 blockers came in at 2.15% and TNF blockers at 1.02%. IL-23 blockers had the lowest rate, at 0.09%.
Inside the IL-17 group, the numbers differed too. The rate was 5.3% with secukinumab and 1.51% with ixekizumab.
Dose also played a part. Higher-dose plans were followed by more reactions than lower-dose plans (7.65% versus 3.36%).
Where the study took place mattered as well. Studies in East Asian populations reported rates of about 6%, compared with about 1% in Western populations.
The strongest link to a reaction in any person was a past history of atopic dermatitis. Of all the factors the researchers looked at, that one stood out most.
What does this mean for you?
Three plain takeaways:
- Most people on psoriasis biologics never get this kind of rash.
- If you have had eczema before, it is worth telling your dermatologist before or during treatment.
- A new rash that looks different from your psoriasis is a sign worth showing, not hiding.
The review does not say what the best fix is. Options your doctor might weigh include a different type of biologic, a cream, or continuing as is. That is a decision for you and your dermatologist, based on what your skin looks like.
What you can do today
Take a quick photo of any new itchy, dry patch that looks different from your usual psoriasis, and save it in your phone with the date. Photos help your dermatologist see how the skin changed over time, even if the patch looks different by the time of your visit. If you have ever had eczema, add a note about it to the same album so you remember to mention it.
Talk about it at home
Scientists gathered the results of many studies to see how often a certain kind of itchy skin patch shows up in people who take one family of medicines. Think of it like counting how many times it rains across many towns, so you can say something fair about the whole country. They found it was uncommon, and that it changed a little depending on the kind of medicine and on the person’s own skin history.
Question for the table
Why do you think scientists put together many studies instead of trusting just one, and what could go wrong if they only looked at a single small group?
Keep exploring
Copies this article and its questions so you can paste them into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or the AI you use, and keep the conversation going.
Questions and answers
- How common are eczema-like rashes on psoriasis biologics?
- About 2 in 100 treatments (2.17%) in this review of 26 publications. Most people do not get one.
- Which biologics were linked to the most and fewest rashes?
- IL-17 blockers had the highest rate (3.47%) and IL-23 blockers the lowest (0.09%).
- Who is more likely to get this kind of rash?
- People with a past history of atopic dermatitis had the strongest link. Higher doses were also tied to more reactions.
- What should I do if I see a new rash on my biologic?
- Take a photo and show it to your dermatologist. They can tell whether it is psoriasis or an eczema-like reaction and adjust your care.
