Dry & flaky scalp and face

[Oms]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms...I'm currently on Humira & Fortisip drinks & am reintroducing foods after a period on a liquid Modulen diet & have found that my skin, especially around my face, scalp & neck has become extremely dry & flaky. I can literally peel of an inch of skin at a time, this is really getting me down because I've tried several face-washes, aqueous cream (as a face wash) & loads of face creams.
They all work for instant relief but give it a few hours & the itchy dryness comes back, can anyone please recommend something that will make the skin heal. My neck looks like I've burnt it or something
I'm about to try some vitamin A pills & am worried that they may cause a reaction but at this moment I'm desperate.
Cheers

 

[Jennifer]

Could be the Humira.

"Using adalimumab injection may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the chance that you will develop a serious or life-threatening infection, including severe fungal infections that may spread through the body.

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

*numbness or tingling
*problems with vision
*weakness in legs
*chest pain
*shortness of breath
*rash, especially a rash on the cheeks or arms that is sensitive to sunlight
*new joint pain
*hives
*itching
*swelling of the face, feet, ankles, or lower legs
*difficulty breathing or swallowing
*fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
*unusual bruising or bleeding
*pale skin
*dizziness
*red, scaly patches or pus-filled bumps on the skin"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000219/

I'd call your doctor IMMEDIATELY and let them know what's going on. Even though it's the weekend, someone is always checking messages and if they think its urgent, you will get a call back.

Another possibility is eczema which also needs treatment. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001856/

 

[silvermander]

I went to my doctor over this very same problem!

I've always had very dry skin, but this was insane at how dry and flaky I became. Very gross and annoying in that no scrubs, peels, masks, lotions, etc would help.

Turns out it's like dandruff that goes a little crazy when on certain meds like Humira!

She prescribed a heavy duty dandruff soap. A couple times a week I put it on and let it sit on my really dry and icky spots on my face, then rinse it off. If I do this at night, the next morning it's all cleared away. She said that regular dandruff shampoo should work, but this is extra strong to take care of it much more quickly.

I hope this helps.

 

[Oms]

@crabbyrelish. thanks for the advice, the thing is my specialist already knows about it, but i did call them telling them about the serious side effects do hopefully they'll get back to me asap.
@silvermander; do you by any chance remember the name of the shampoo? I'm not bothered how I look round the house anymore because the family know how it is, its just in an office environment (where about 2 people know that I'm ill) I do get really self-concious to the point of being a bit of a recluse, which is the last thing i want...thanks

 

[D Bergy]

I do not know about drug induced dry flaky skin, but I had it without any drugs. When I started using Krill Oil, this was eliminated. The Omega 3 fatty acids are apparently pretty critical to good skin.

I would be worth a try.

Dan

 

[Crohns08]

It kind of sounds like psoraisis to me. Thing is, humira should be helping with that. Does it break out bad when you stress out or eat bad things?

 

[Oms]

It kind of sounds like psoraisis to me. Thing is, humira should be helping with that. Does it break out bad when you stress out or eat bad things?

@Crohns08; yeah I was well confused with that as well - The Humira website goes on about how it's used for psoraisis etc but either I'm reacting badly to it or they're lying, I suspect its their fault tbh lol...
I've been on a liquid diet recently so food can't be the cause of it & I've stopped stressing about anything, just going with the flow at the moment. Stress used to affect me badly years ago but I've taught myself to, worryingly, stop caring.

 

[tiloah]

Oh no! That sounds terrible! One thing worth considering would be to stop using new products on your face. Chances are that you are irritating the skin even more by constantly fussing with it. I know it's uncomfortable but it's probably best to leave it alone as much as you can.

I know a doctor who recommends reducing soap and water as much as possible when skin is irritated (you can clean with Cetaphil) and find a good emollient that is known to not irritate and has no irritants in it (scents, dyes, etc.) It might be worth a try until you can see someone about it. I would definitely suggest asking to see a dermatologist because this sounds pretty intense. Have you tried a gentle steroid cream on it?

I hope you figure out what's causing this and are able to calm it down.