Skin Health Psoriasis What Is Koebner’s Phenomenon? Triggers, Symptoms, and Treatment By Kathi Valeii Kathi Valeii Kathi Valeii is a freelance writer covering the intersections of health, parenting, and social justice. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 06, 2022 Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment Skin Care Tips Frequently Asked Questions Koebner’s phenomenon (pronounced KOHB-nurs) is a skin condition that occurs after skin trauma. The condition is named after Heinrich Koebner, the scientist who discovered it in 1876. Koebner's is often experienced by people with skin conditions like psoriasis, vitiligo, and lichen planus. This article will help you understand what Koebner's phenomenon is, how to avoid it, and how to treat it if you have it. Suriyawut Suriya / EyeEm / Getty Images What Is Koebner’s Phenomenon? Koebner’s phenomenon (also called an isomorphic response or Koebnerization) is a psoriatic rash that appears around an injury, such as a cut or a burn. The rash can show up anywhere on the body where trauma to the skin has occurred. Koebner's phenomenon looks like raised skin lesions. The lesions tend to have the same features as a person’s existing dermatologic condition. The lesions usually follow the injury lines, and they may cover the entire skin injury or develop on only one part. Although Koebner’s phenomenon occurs after skin trauma, it is not an acute condition. Rather, it activates an underlying disease. People with preexisting skin conditions are most susceptible to Koebner’s phenomenon. For example, Koebnerization occurs 11% to 75% of the time in people with psoriasis and 21% to 62% of the time in people with vitiligo. What Causes Koebner's Phenomenon? Psoriasis Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks normal skin cells. There are many types of psoriasis, all of which affect the body in different ways: Plaque psoriasis is most commonly found on the elbows, scalp, knees, and back. The lesions are red, raised, and scaly, and they tend to crack, bleed, and itch. Guttate psoriasis usually affects children and young adults. The condition is usually triggered by a viral or bacterial infection. The lesions are small, pink, tear-shaped, and scaly. Inverse psoriasis is an uncommon type that tends to affect people with excess weight or obesity. The lesions typically appear in skin folds, such as armpits, under the breasts, between the buttocks, in skin folds of the genitals, or on the belly. Pustular psoriasis appears with pus-filled blisters that eventually turn to crusty patches of skin. It is often triggered by certain medications or infections. Scalp psoriasis can appear on the head, ears, and neck. The rash is red, thick, scaly, and extremely itchy. Sometimes it can be mistaken for dandruff. Nail psoriasis may result in pitting or crumbling of the nail plate and black, white, or yellow spotting on the nails. Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe form of plaque psoriasis that affects the whole body and causes the skin to peel off in large sheets. The condition can lead to dehydration and infection and, if not treated promptly, can be fatal. Psoriasis flares are often triggered by medications, illnesses, or infections. While the exact cause of Koebner’s phenomenon remains unclear, it is believed that skin injuries may trigger psoriatic flares. A 2011 study found that 28% of participants with existing psoriasis developed Koebner’s phenomenon after getting a tattoo. Of the participants who developed Koebner's, 30% reported a flare-up at the tattoo site between a week and two decades after getting the tattoo. Fewer than 7% had a flare-up on other parts of their body. Vitiligo Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where skin pigmentation is lost, resulting in smooth white patches on the body. People with vitiligo may also experience early graying of their hair and itching on the affected skin regions. Like psoriasis, vitiligo has certain triggers, including stress, sunburn, chemicals, and viruses. Skin injuries can also trigger Koebnerization. What Triggers Vitiligo? Studies have shown that Kobernization is more likely to occur when vitiligo covers a larger amount of the body's surface area as well as when disease activity is greater. Lichen Planus Lichen planus is an autoimmune disease that causes a purple, itchy rash. The condition can affect many parts of the body, including the inside of the mouth. Koebner’s phenomenon is believed to be an activation of an underlying disease, and lichen planus is an autoimmune disease that may trigger it. Causes The exact cause of Koebner’s phenomenon is not known. However, theories suggest that it is triggered by an abnormal immune response (that is, it is immune-mediated). In addition, some experts believe that both the epidermis and dermis of the skin must be injured for the condition to be triggered. True vs. Pseudo Koebner's Responses A true Koebner’s response occurs alongside preexisting autoimmune conditions that affect the skin. A pseudo Koebner's response is when an infection, such as viral warts or molluscum contagiosum, spread lesions across the injured skin. If a person has an existing autoimmune disease, Koebner’s can be brought on by damage to the skin. Examples of trauma that may bring on Koebner’s phenomenon include: Animal or insect bites Sunburn or other burn injuries Friction (including from shaving) Cuts Freezing Pressure Tattoos Some vaccines Tuberculosis test Iodine Limited case studies have suggested that Koebner’s phenomenon may occur in people without preexisting autoimmune skin conditions. However, the overall body of research indicates that the condition is most closely associated with autoimmune conditions that affect the skin, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and lichen planus. Body Modifications Tattoos and piercings may lead to Koebner’s phenomenon in people with preexisting autoimmune skin conditions because tattoos and piercings, while added to decorate and beautify the body, also injure the skin (which is a risk factor for developing Koebner’s phenomenon). Although body modification can increase the risk of developing Koebner’s phenomenon if you have psoriasis, vitiligo, or lichen planus, it’s important to also consider the value of the potential tattoo or piercing. In a study of tattoo-induced Koebner’s, 82% of participants said that their tattoo positively affected their body image. The study concluded that tattooing should not be a contraindication for people with psoriasis but that they should receive proper counseling beforehand. Can You Get a Tattoo If You Have Psoriasis? Seeing a Dermatologist If you notice changes in your skin, make an appointment with a dermatologist. If you notice lesions on a skin injury—especially if you have an autoimmune disease like psoriasis—a dermatologist will be able to screen for and treat Koebner’s phenomenon. Koebner’s phenomenon is diagnosed by looking at the lesions, which behave in the same way as a person’s preexisting skin condition. A dermatologist will also rule out an infection or allergic reaction. If Koebner's is diagnosed, the treatment usually includes either systemic treatment of psoriasis to suppress Koebner’s phenomenon or topical creams, lotions, and ointments (both over-the-counter and prescription) to cover the lesions. Skin Care for Psoriasis Flare-Ups Psoriasis flare-ups can be brought on by many things, including stress, skin trauma, dry skin, medications, alcohol, and infections. When you experience flare-ups, there are some things your dermatologist may prescribe to calm and heal your skin: Topicals such as steroid creams, nonsteroid creams, and over-the-counter (OTC) creams, shampoos, and soaps to heal and soothe the skin Phototherapy (light therapy), which uses ultraviolet light to slow the growth of affected skin cells Systemic injectable or oral medication that works throughout the body Diet and lifestyle changes, which can include maintaining a weight that's healthy for you and trying to reduce your stress What Causes Psoriasis to Flare? You can often treat mild flares at home. The National Psoriasis Foundation suggests using: Aloe vera Diluted apple cider vinegar Dead sea salts in a warm bath Oat paste or bathing in oats (to relieve itch) Tea tree oil Tumeric in supplement form Always ask your doctor or dermatologist about any at-home therapies you are considering. That way, you can be sure they are safe for you and will not interfere with your treatment plan or medications. 8 Common Psoriasis Triggers Frequently Asked Questions What does Koebner’s phenomenon look like? The appearance of Koebner’s phenomenon depends on which autoimmune condition a person has. Koebner’s phenomenon tends to present in the same way as the preexisting condition. For instance, if a person has psoriasis, Koebner’s would present as a raised, itchy, flaky rash that runs over the skin injury. What is an isomorphic response? An isomorphic response is another term for Koebner’s phenomenon. Isomorphic is Greek for “equal shape.” The phrase is used because the lesions from Koebner’s are identical to a person’s underlying condition. How can I prevent psoriasis flare-ups? Psoriasis tends to flare up if a person encounters specific triggers. Triggers are different for every person. Common triggers include stress, skin trauma, dry skin, medications, alcohol, and infections. Identifying the things that tend to trigger your psoriasis and avoiding them is important, but it might take some detective work. A symptom journal may help you figure out what causes your flare-ups. Medications That Can Trigger Psoriasis A Word From Verywell If you have psoriasis or another autoimmune disease of the skin, you might be at increased risk of developing Koebner’s phenomenon. If you have an injury to your skin, including those from tattoos and piercings, watch your injury closely for lesions. If any changes develop, contact your doctor or dermatologist. An Overview of Skin Pigmentation Disorders 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sanchez D, Sonthalia S. Koebner phenomenon. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. New Zealand Dermatological Society. Koebner phenomenon. Kluger N. Tattooing and psoriasis: demographics, motivations and attitudes, complications, and impact on body image in a series of 90 Finnish patients. Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica. 2017;26(2). doi:10.15570/actaapa.2017.9 van Geel N, Speeckaert R, De Wolf J, et al. Clinical significance of Koebner phenomenon in vitiligo. British Journal of Dermatology. 2012;167(5):1017-1024. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11158.x Arias-Santiago S, Espiñeira-Carmona M, Aneiros-Fernández J. The Koebner phenomenon: psoriasis in tattoos. Can Med Assoc J. 2012;185(7):585-585. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111299 National Psoriasis Foundation. Treatments for psoriatic disease. National Psoriasis Foundation. Integrative approaches to care. By Kathi Valeii As a freelance writer, Kathi has experience writing both reported features and essays for national publications on the topics of healthcare, advocacy, and education. The bulk of her work centers on parenting, education, health, and social justice. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit