Humira triggered Psoriasis

After 3 months on Humira, I had a breakout that was just this week diagnosed as Psoriasis. Too bad because I had achieved what seems to be remission (though not confirmed by scope). Ironically, I fought hard against Humira in favor on Entyvio given the side effect profile of Humira. With help of my company, went high up the chain with insurer but ultimately denied. Now this pretty severe breakout -- all over covering approx. 1/3rd of body.

Started on 10 day heavy dose of Prednisone to help calm and hopefully clear it.

Now, I've learned that while this Psoriasis breakout should clear with the Pred, there is a good chance that it comes back even after discontinuing Humira. Anyone experienced this? And did your Psoriasis go away permanently post Humira?

I am slated for Entyvio should the Psoriasis go away completely, or else Stellara that apparently targets/improves both UC and Psoriasis.

Really annoyed I'm here, but hoping for the best outcome in the next couple of weeks.

HardEvidence, while on Remicade I developed psoriasis on the soles of my feet & hands. The itching was insane & the bottoms of my feet were raw & cracked open from scratching them. I always knew when an outbreak was coming because of the insane itching. I ended having to go off Remicade for other reasons. I then went on Humira & the psoriasis went full bloom. I ended up with 4 different types of psoriasis & it was horrible. I had it on my scalp, face, ears, stomach, back & legs. I also had thick plaque psoriasis on both elbows & lower arms. I ended with infections that landed me in the hospital & out patient wound care. This happened twice.

I urge you to get into a dermatologist as soon as possible. My 2nd dermatologist was terrific. I was rx'd Taclonex (ointment) & it keeps it under control. There are many prescription topicals that can be used, OTC stuff had zero affect. For the facial psoriasis, I was scripted a different product because not all ointments can be used on the face. My face & hands looked like I had mud on me, it was just nasty to deal with. I would not recommend pred as treatment for this, especially when there are good treatment options without the side effects of pred.

The psoriasis is still here even after going off of Humira. Like UC, psoriasis is an AI condition. In case you are not aware of this, but the odds are good of developing other AI's if you already have one.

For wat it's worth, stress is a huge trigger for an outbreak with me. Please see a dermatologist. Good luck.

I started getting psoriasis after about two months on Humira. I immediately stopped taking it after I noticed the rashes starting. I had rashes on my arms, legs, and chest. My mom has psoriasis so I was very worried that Humira had just kick started it in me. I too was very mad at my insurance company because they had made me go on Humira before I could try Entyvio. However, after a few months off of Humira, the rashes started to get smaller and eventually go away, but it did take some time to start to improve. I hope the rashes start to improve for you soon.

I just used a mild moisturizer (Cetaphil) in the morning, at night, and anytime I took a shower. I also switched to a moisturizing body wash. I was referred to a dermatologist, but I put off going and started to see it getting better on its own. I think I just got lucky and caught it very early because I knew what those rashes looked like immediately because of my mom. I know the ointments from the dermatologist can speed up the process, so keep at it. I would try not to worry too much until the Humira has had enough time to get out of your system and the skin has had enough time to heal after that.

*Sorry I forgot that I also used Aquaphor (OTC ointment by Eucerin) in the beginning until I started to see some improvements.

Post Edited (partlycloudy) : 10/29/2018 10:58:08 AM (GMT-6)

I don't have psoriasis but there are several people on the Polish forum who are struggling with it. The only thing that is helping them tremendously are the so called Dr Michael's ointments and lotions. I think it's an international brand, they don't contain any steroids or tar. If you haven't heard about it, google dr Michael's psoriasis

Hi all, would love some advice from the forum.

I'm now 4 weeks since my last Humira shot. The psoriasis/rash that I have all over my body is being treated with Prednisone. Started at 40mgs/day and tapered to 10mgs but then the rash broke out again. I've went back up to 20mgs a day for the past two weeks with instructions to continue for another couple of weeks. This is at the moment 'holding things steady'...rash still there, but greatly diminished from initial breakout and not getting worse, but also not going away.

Now the quandary. I am due for Entyvio in two weeks. My GI is suggesting we may want to switch to Stelara to treat the psoriasis and UC simultaneously. I am struggling with the idea of switching until I know with more certainty if my 'Humira psoriasis' is temporary or permanent. At least one earlier post suggested this could go away permanently with more time. At the same time, I don't want to get on Entyvio to then find out I also have a permanent psoriasis problem to treat. Best to unnecessarily change out of yet another biologic. In addition, I'm biding time taking Prednisone when I'd prefer not to use it unless UC emergency.

Frustrated esp given Humira seemed to get my UC inflammation under control. And even more frustrated at the prospect of dealing with yet another illness (granted I understand the close relationship between the causes of UC and Psoriasis). My UC seems to be in check, although I'm starting to notice more mucus, and guessing this could be the early stages of a renewed flare.

Any advice on how to approach this would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks Susie for your feedback, with every passing day it doesn't clear increases the likelihood you are right. I will give it two more weeks before raising the white flag.

I'd go stelara, as there's no guarantee that you're talking humira-induced psoriasis. Many of us on the biologics are a lot more prone to getting secondary auto-immune conditions like a psoriasis due to us having more severe cases of UC. Our wacky immune systems might get bored of attacking only the intestine and then attack something else (skin, eyes, joints, etc etc.).

Humira no more cures psoriasis, than voting cures political dysfunction :-p. Humira can effectively treat psoriasis in some patients, for others it does nothing. Much as with UC, some meds work for some and not for others, try and see, with no guarantees.