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itchy skin rash from Humira....

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Posted 1/19/2012 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi people- I generally post on the UC forum, but I know many more of you CD'ers use Humira! So I've been on humira for about 2 years now, & really like it- it works pretty well with my UC, so easy to administer, cheap, etc. However, about 5-6 weeks ago I noticed circular red patches on my legs- they itch like crazy! Hoping it was just the dry air & dry heat, I started using moisturizer 2x a day, which did nothing. I switched to an old steroid ointment I've had hanging around, which makes the itch stop, & makes the patches fade but not disappear. As soon as I skip an application of the steroid cream, they're bright red & itchy again. I'm totally bummed... am sure it's related to the Humira, & they're spreading- all over my legs, some on my arms.... I go to my PCP for a physical next week & am going to get a referral to a derm- haven't told my GI about any of this yet. I'm afraid I'll have to stop Humira. Have any of you had a similar reaction, & were you able to control it enough that you could stay on Humira? Or did you ultimately quit Humira? I have no idea if it's fungal, bacterial, just some weird immune thing...!!!! It's always something, isn't it? I just feel terrible, finally a med that's working well for the UC, & now this.
Posted 1/19/2012 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I know just how you feel.  Those darn rashes drive your nuts, don't they.

If you do some research, you will se that Humira, although treats psoriasis, can also cause it.  I think that is what might be happening as I believe that is what is happening to me.  I just went to a derm and he really pissed me off.  He looked at me and told me it couldn't be psoriasis because Humira is used to treat that.  I had to inform him that it can also cause it.  He took a biopsy and I am waiting on the results.

It might be psoriasis or it could just be eczama.  Defininetly talk to a derm.  There might be a solution that will allow you to keep going with the Humira.

Feel better.

Posted 1/19/2012 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
When I was on Humira I started getting the itchy patches you are talking about. After doing some research online and asking about it on here, I went to the derm and discovered I had developed psoriasis. If you check out the side effects for Humira, its listed as one of the possible side effects. I went off Humira when the psoriasis started spreading top my face, but it wasn't doing a while lot for my crohns either. I was also developing severe joint pain from being on it. The steroid cream will help for now and the derm can give you something stronger. Unfortunately, biologics can stir up other auto immune disorders such as RA, fibro, lupus, and so on. Not trying to scare you, biologics are a God send for IBD, but this can be an unfortunate side effect. When I stopped the Humira, my psoriasis and joint pain gradually disappeared.
Posted 1/19/2012 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not scared, but... I am practically ready to say "Screw it!" anyway & toss the bioloigcs in the trash! I know they can cause psoriasis, & I'm fearing this is what's happening. And I've had bad luck with derms int he past- they seem to glance at your skin & say "Oh, it's just exzema/psoriasis" and send you on your way with a tube of steroid cream. I plan to ask for a biopsy to be sure what it is. What will you do, JavaJay, if it's Humira causing the rash? What next, Cimzia??? And then what, Tysabri??? Ugh, scary meds. I figure being on Humira plus Imuran is just about getting to be too much for my poor old body. sad
Posted 1/19/2012 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I honestly don't know what I am going to do..and I think it will be a long conversation with my GI. Humira isn't helping at all so it needs to go. I already did Remicade and developed anti bodies. I have my doubts that Cimzia will work and I dont know if I can stick a needle into me (I use the Humira pen). Don't know anything about Tysabri. I was thinking maybe LDN but I think my GI is wary of it. I am almost out of options as nothing has reacted well with my body. I don't have many choices left. I might also try a clinical study...but that is only short term solution and I might get a placebo.
Posted 1/19/2012 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I feel for you- I've done Remi too, developed antibodies myself, then Humira, which is *ok*- not great by any means, but liveable! I may see about trying Remicade again, just to see if anything happens. I hate to jump from med to med to med, but don't knwo what else to try. LDN never interested me much, not sure why- seems like such a hassle, the pharmacy process, etc. My GI has never mentioned it, & he's fairly open to "alternative" therapies. I don't know... hoping this year brings us good things!
Posted 1/19/2012 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
 

Isn't it strange that Humira is used to treat someone with psoriasis, it is also used to treat IBD yet more often than not it causes the IBD sufferer to develop psoriasis too.

Homeopathic medicine is commonly known to 'treat' like for like only in a highly diluted form and this 

originally came about because it was noted that what caused symptoms in one person could be used on another already exhibiting the symptoms to treat it.

LOL not that I know what homeopathic prep would cure it but just think it is interesting 

Posted 1/25/2012 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted find out how your doing Eva Lou. I just got the results from my biopsy and the dr says it is eczama. I don't believe it and I think the dr is full of it.

Not only did he take a sample from an area that is hardly touched by my problem, but he didn't even believe Humira could cause psoriasis. I think he chose to take a sample from an area that is hardly affected just so I couldn't prove him wrong. I really hate doctors.
Posted 1/25/2012 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Call your GI. Humira not only caused psoriasis, but Lupus as well. I stopped it. It was not worth it too me, wished I had never taken it.
Posted 1/26/2012 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Humira for 10 mo. My symptoms improved gradually – First belly pain/cramps went away, then dria. Now I “go” only after each meal, so 3 to 4 times per day. Still have some joint pain, but it is not as severe as before and does not last as long.
I have however developed hives this summer, if I am outside in a heat for any period of time, hives that look and feel just like mosquito bites appear on my legs and arms. Very itchy. They go way if I stay indoors or in cooler weather. I am in NJ so the weather has been a lot cooler and they all disappeared.
Posted 1/26/2012 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
I also had a rash when I used Humira. What helped me was taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine 20-30 minutes before injecting the Humira shot. I hope this helps!
Posted 1/26/2012 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
hi there! My rash is so-so- it's gotten better actually, now it appears to be eczema-like. It's not scaly, but patchy red spots, with a dry flaky skin layer on top.. I go for my yearly CPE this afternoon, & am debating on whether or not to ask for an ANA panel done, one of the blood tests for lupus/inflammation. That is a concern, that the meds are starting to wreak havoc with my immune system. I've been able to control the rash with moisturizer 2-3x a day, & topical hydrocort if needed. I just did a Humira shot yesterday & it hasn't affected the rash- yet! Javajay, did the derm recommend anything for your "eczema"?

Posted 1/26/2012 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
He gave me a steroidal cream which has done a whole lot.
Posted 1/28/2012 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
hey JavaJay, wanted to let you know what my PCP said re. Humira rash- well of course he gave me a script for triamcinolone cream, & suggested I take a Benadryl prior to my next Humira shot. I also ordered some coal tar ointment, MG14 I think it's called???. That coal tar stuff rocks! I've used it 2x so far, & the red patches are barely noticeable, they don't itch at all.... apparently coal tar is one of those old-timey remedies for psoriasis, & I'd rather not rely on yet another script! Or use topical hydrocort long term. So I'll stick with the coal tar ointment, also AVeeno Oatmeal baths are very soothing too- you can find them in the baby care aisle at the grocery store. Hope your rash disappears asap! mine too!! I never did ask for an ANA panel, figured why go looking for trouble? All my blood work came back fine too, so... sometimes I can't be bothered being proactive/hypochondriacal.
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