A Rare Case Report of Dermal Mucinosis Following Adalimumab Therapy for Psoriasis Publisher

Summary: Can a psoriasis drug trigger rare skin bumps? A case report links adalimumab to papular mucinosis; biopsy aided diagnosis and topical treatment partly helped. #Dermatology #DrugSafety

Asilian A ; Karimi Ghahderijani F ; Moradi Dastjerdi S ; Kashefi Z ; Derakhshan M ; Nikyar Z
Source: Acta Cytologica Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous mucinoses are rare disorders defined by excessive dermal mucin deposition. Drug-induced cases are uncommon, and dermal mucinosis associated with adalimumab has rarely been reported. Case Presentation: A 41-year-old woman presented with monomorphic, pruritic, skin-colored papules on the dorsal surfaces of both hands, which had first appeared 2 months earlier and had progressively worsened. She had a 10-year history of plaque psoriasis and had been receiving adalimumab therapy for the past year. With a primary diagnosis of dermatitis, treatment with a topical steroid was initiated, but the lack of improvement prompted a biopsy, which revealed mucinosis. The patient was diagnosed with papular mucinosis secondary to adalimumab therapy. Treatment with topical dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in partial improvement. Conclusion: This case underscores the rare occurrence of dermal mucinosis as a side effect of TNF-α inhibitors like adalimumab and highlights the importance of recognizing this potential adverse effect in patients on biologic therapies. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by S. Karger AG.