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Anyone with skin rashes from Humira or Remicade?

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Posted 3/19/2009 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm wondering if any of you have (or had) skin rashes after being on Humira or Remicade.

Here's my story, and I'd love to hear yours too!

I've been on Humira (every other week) for about 3 months.  I recently noticed a rash on my chest---reddish, sometimes a bit itchy or irritated after a shower etc.  I've had it for a month, and it's not going away, nor is it getting worse.  My Dermatologist did a biopsy, and determined it's a rare inflammatory condition.  I did lots of Internet research, and my conclusion is that my lowered immune system due to the Humira is causing/contributing to the problem.

I'm interested to know if anyone with Crohn's who is on Humira or Remicade has also experienced rashes, and if your doctor diagnosed it, the cause, the treatment etc.

Thanks so much in advance for your input!!

Posted 3/20/2009 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Very interesting! I used to always get rashes when I got out of the shower...and yes they were a bit itchy too. My gi suggested I take a zyrtec every night for some sinus issues. And since I have started taking that I haven't had another rash after my showers. I have never asked my gi about it though.
Posted 3/20/2009 2:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Crohniemomx2,

Thanks for your input!  Glad the Zyrtec worked for you.  (I currently take Zyrtec, and have for years.)

I just gave myself another Humira injection today, so it will be interesting to see if my rash gets worse (or better) over time. 

Posted 3/20/2009 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
I suffered from eczema prior to Humira, so it's hard to say what causes any rashes I get. A few months after I started Humira, I started getting a very itchy rash behind my knees. It comes and goes though (right now it's gone *crosses fingers*).
Posted 3/20/2009 12:11 PM (GMT 0)

Absolutley....with no rhyme or reason I will break out in hives...a day, two days up to three days after injection...not every injection but every now and then...maybe 4 out of ten times.  It seemed to taper off a bit when I went from two shots every other week to one shot every week.

I have developed several spots of "dry" skin that does not go away with the use of a moisturizer.  My derm dr said it might just be an age related thing (I am 52)...I do not think so.

doesn't matter that much any more...today is my last injection of Humira.....next up?  who knows?

Posted 3/20/2009 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have seborrhia and my derm. said its because of my immune system. I have a wash and a couple of creams I have to use twice a day to keep from itching.
Posted 4/4/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Humira for six weeks, I now have a rash on my upper arm, and feel itchy all over (inside and out). I'm due to take my Humira today and feel nervous about it.I love Humira, my skin, nails, and fingers are sooooooooooo much better....If a rash is all I get, I'm okay with that. Would appreciate any feedback.
Posted 12/28/2009 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i have been on humira now for three months has been great for the pain and stiffness due to Ankylosing spondolitis, but now get very hot and flushed often, and have bad itchy, stinging skin when over heated or outside in sun. Anyone got any advice on this or experienced this? I am 47 year old male and have been diagnosed for about 18 months although have suffered from it for many years. 
Posted 12/29/2009 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I havent had a visible rash but since I have started the Humira I have had the worst dry skin around my neck. It itches horribly. Lotion doesnt help and it itches worse after the shower. I just connected it to the winter I never thought about the Humira causeing it.
Posted 1/5/2010 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
thank you and good luck
Posted 1/5/2010 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
No problems as of yet.Crossing my fingers.
Posted 1/5/2010 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there :)

I started taking Humira last year in February. I would usually either get the rash the day after receiving Humira - but it was on my arms and it would go away after a few hours, or I'd get it after being on the direct sun for like 2 minutes (literally) and it would get really hot, itchy and a little bit painful. It also got away after 2-3-4 hours and I'd put some lotion on it. However, I haven't had the rash for quite some time since it's winter.

Do you live somewhere where it's sunny? I had a rash on my chest like 10 years ago and it was also an allergic reaction to the sun that wouldn't go away and it actually had nothing to do with CD. Since Humira and sun don't really get alone it could be you just got more sensitive to the sun?

Hope I helped...
Posted 1/6/2010 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
 hi i live in new zealand very hot the sun is not my friend at the moment roll on winterturn
Posted 1/9/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I started Humira in mid-November. It's helped tremendously with the Crohn's but each injection site, from the pen or the syringe, causes what starts as a little rash a few days or weeks later. It then turns into a red somewhat itchy big blotch and then never really goes away. It seems as though I'll get to keep an ugly scar from each injection. My gastroenterologist doesn't seem to have a clue what's going on (or really seem to care). I was on Remicade for years and never had a problem. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.
Posted 1/11/2010 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I started Humira in May of 09, best med ever, really helped. In Nov. I developed little water blisters(red, itchy, and inflamed) all over my body. Went to my Derm. he did a byopsy and it turned out to be Pustular Psorisis, I have never had any kind of psorisis before. My Gastro said it was cause from the Humira and pulled me off the med. in Nov. put me on Imuran, and another drug to help clear up the psorisis. Well here we are in Jan I have been on Imuran for 2 months and my crohns is still doing really good, but I still have the pustular psorisis(BAD)and now my hair is falling out( I have Blond hair thats to my waist). It's been 2 months since my last Humira shot. I'm really getting down, and don't think it was from the Humira, I could be wrong though. I go to see a rhumy this week they said he deals with auto amuine.
Posted 1/11/2010 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Cheyenne--
I've had a very similar experience as you.

I started developing skin problems with Remicade--a bit of plaque psoriasis in my belly button and behind my ear, but it came and went. Note, I never had psoriasis prior to Remicade. The months I was between medicines I was skin rash free.

I began Humira in October 2008 and it's been great so far, but I think I am going to stop taking it. The psoriasis worsened on Humira and I saw a derm who gave me Tazorac/Cutivate. It helps but the problem areas of my ears/belly button have not gone away. I began developing bumps here and there over the past few months. Last month, I EXPLODED with awful rashes all over the place.

I had a large rash that did not look like psorasis extend across my stomach to my sides (it was a shingles like pattern, but no shingles). The plaque psoriasis spread to my genital area, and I'm now on Vecitcal for that. Shortly after, I developed very very painful blisters, which I don't think is pustular psoriasis or erthyma nodsum. They get larger, sorta break and then dry out...but they won't go away for months. I also noticed soem psorasis developing on my arms.

One of the bumps recently got very infected and I had to be put on antibiotics. I am seeing the dermatologist who specializes in Crohn's + skin issues in a month from now. Fortunately, with a lot of moisturizing, much of the other rash has dissipated, but the bumps presist.

In addition to these problems, I've had endless infections (sinus, eye, skin, uti) over the past four months. I think my body has had it with Humira and I'm anxious to talk to my GI on Feb 3 about this problem.

I have read research that TNF blockers CAN induce psoriasis in patients. In fact, I Just reread the Humira safety instructions and it even notes this in FAQ--you CAN develop psoriasis. No idea whether it persists after you discontinue the meds though.

Good luck witih the rhuemy, and I'll keep people here updated on what my doc/derm says.
Posted 1/11/2010 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey :)

about psoriasis...I don't have it on Humira but here's what I know. You can develop it while on Humira/Remicade and in most cases it goes away after taking the med but it takes time. On the other hand, if you have a gene for psoriasis (it's the same for Lupus) you will develop it and it will never go away. I'm really sorry if you're both out of luck and stuck with it for life :( hope that's not the case and that it will go away. Try to be patient and wait, everything's not lost yet.

Cheyenne01...you could be losing your hair due to Imuran. It happens a lot actually. It's happened to me too but I have a lot of hair and in the end it didn't affect me that much. It's not like I lost all of my hair. However, some people really do lose a lot of hair while on Imuran. The good thing is that it goes away after you stop taking it...

Hope I helped. Best of luck to both of you...
Posted 12/11/2010 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I actually was going to make a thread but i found this one. I have been on remi for about a year with no issues and complete remission. about a month ago i went to the docs and she just happened to look at my back and said i had a really bad rash,i had no idea but my back had been itchy. its hasn't gone away,but doesn't seem to be getting worse, i do however notice it on my chest as well and it seems to spread a tinny bit. its dry and red looking. she suggested no hot showers, tried and hasn't done much, any input? i plan on calling my GI Monday.

TIA
Posted 12/11/2010 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
My Gastro-Doc wants to put me on Humira because I now have 5-6 fistulas and a stricture in my small bowel. I've had crohns for 10years now and this is the 2nd Gastro-Doc I've went to, he is supposed to be a specialist. I now have pre-existing liver issues, but they have been in the normal range for over a year, and I'm wondering if I should start Humira, or pass on taking the injections. I'm pretty scared right now, because I'm afraid of possibly having liver failure with this or other complications. I sure would appreciate a reply!! Thanks--silvergran(SandyJ)
Posted 12/11/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Wow this was really helpful, at the beginning of the summer I developed a rash on my butt, they were red bumps everywhere that would scab over. My GI didn't know what it was and neither did the regular doctor and she couldn't take a biopsy because there now new ones. But at the time I was struggling with Remicade it waring off, we shorten the time inveral and doubled the dose and neither of those did the trick. So two months ago I switched to Humira and the rash has completely cleared up.

I don't have any problems with the injection site, or rash now. I would think that maybe some people are developing rashes at the injection site because we are putting something foreign under the skin that our body naturally doesn't want to be there thats why it hurts and reacts. And as the body gets use to the injections the reaction should decrease over time. I'm no expert though of course, just a thought.

Good luck to everyone!
Posted 12/13/2010 9:01 PM (GMT 0)

I have been on Humira for a little over a year.  In September I started getting a really bad rash in my butt crack (they think it is inverse Psorisis), and I am still waiting to hear from my GI.  I am now cover in a rash, about 90% of my body and I am still trying to get in touch with my GI.  I am so uncomfortable.  I know it has to be from the huira.  It will be interesting where I go from here as I have tried a lot of drugs before this. 

I have never had skin issues in my life! 


Posted 12/14/2010 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I have always had dry skin especially in the spring and the fall. I recently noticed that my thighs are bright red especially after a shower. I don't know if it is because of the Remicade. My skin all over looks drier than usual but perhaps it is because I got glasses?
Posted 12/26/2010 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am also very glad to have found this thread, I've been so upset about my beautiful 29 year old daughter confused She's been on Remicade about 5 month now. Things initially were great! then she got a rash ALL over, itchy,red, and GI doc recognized it right away; referred her to Derm who biopsied and diagnosed her with psoriais. I don't know the med she got put on for that; topical. Now her hair is falling out!! What else for her? She's my youngest child, and has 2 kids of her own. She seems to maintain a decent attitude thru all this, gratefully. Her GI doesn't want to stop the Remicade..... what to do???
Posted 12/26/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
As soon as I started Humira I developed rashes under both my eyes just above my cheeks. They were very prominent and were particulary bad in the summer time. People would always ask what was wrong or if I was sunburned. I was just recently in the hospital and the Drs. noticed the rash and asked how long I had had them. I told them when and the one DR got very excited thinking he had figured out my problem (he thought I had drugged induced lupus). The test for that came back negative though.

 

Posted 12/26/2010 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
When I was on Humira, I developed an itchy rash on my arms, legs and chest. My primary prescribed vistaril and it seemed to work well for me. I would occasionally get a breakout but after taking the vistaril again, it would subside.
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