Humira injection site reactions

[deb123]

Hi,

I have been on Humira for 10 weeks now and the injection sites are progressively getting worse each time I inject.

I use a pen to inject, and leave it out 30mins before injection. The injection goes well, and I also take Piriton as well, but the next day it starts to swell, get hot and itchy. It then seems to spread about a 6-10cm area, the pores on my skin resemble chicken skin!! I ice pack the site to help, but the relief is only temporary.

I spoke to the GI nurse the first time and she thought it might have been because my thighs are sensitive, but i'm finding that the stomach has the same reaction.

Should I keep persevering, or is my body trying to tell me it doesnt like it??

Any advice very welcome x

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It's important to rotate so you aren't injecting in the same spot. It doesn't sound like an allergic reaction but unfortunately site reactions are common. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to make it easier so I'm not sure what else to say. Maybe your GI can help? Also, call Humira again you may get a new nurse with a different suggestion.

 

[Essieluv]

Humira always gave me really bad injection site reactions. To try and counter them I took Benadryl before my injections, and around the clock for a few days after. I also used hydrocortisone cream to help with the itching, and iced the site before injecting. For some reason, that helps prevent large site reactions. Good luck!

 

[deb123]

Hi, Thanks for your replies. I iced the injection site for about 30 mins after injecting yesterday. This morning it looks fine - it usually starts to react 24 hours after injecting. So fingers crossed it stays good x

Essieluv, I will continue with the antihistamine today as well as you suggested x

 

[PsychoJane]

Here is a thread referring to a similar issue.

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=54328

I've had that happening to me with Humira. I had in mind it was probably my body not liking the medication and I assumed it must have been the beginning of antibodies building. I started having other side effects after that, this, and rash on my face were the first manifestation.

MLP did refer to some paper that suggest the same regarding antibodies.

 

[Patricia56]

You may also be reacting to the fluid that the Humira is in.

Takiing benadryl is a good idea. You can also use benadryl cream but be careful about using both oral and topical benadryl. You can get too much.

 

[Jennifer]

Hi deb123. When I was on Humira I had an injection site reaction the following day each time (was only on it for about 3 months so I'm not sure if it would have gotten better with time or not). I took Benadryl once the reaction started. This helped get rid of it for the most part and it didn't come back once the Benadryl wore off. I spoke with a Humira pharmacist about the reaction over the phone (I used the pens as well) and she asked me how long I leave the needle in after I press the button. I said 10 seconds (this is what my nurse told me to do and what the teaching pen told me to do). She suggested that I leave it in for an extra 5 seconds (15 seconds total) because she feels the reaction may be from all the medication not getting out of the needle all the way. I stopped Humira for other reasons before I got a chance to try this though. Give it a try and let me know if it helps to prevent the reaction.

 

[macdonald88]

Hi I had this too after every injection it would spread out to the size of my palm to my finger tips it was so sore and would last about 4 days before it would go down and sometimes found it difficult to walk. My GI had never come across this and stopped the medication he is thinking of maybe starting it again in the future.

To be honest I was quite concerned about it and I'm very cautious to re start it.

 

[Jennifer]

Did you ever take an antihistamine like Benadryl to treat it macdonald88?

 

[macdonald88]

I did after it happend 3 times but it made no difference unfortunately. I know in the US that pre meds are given/advised to be taken before hand and the same with infliximab but it's never been advised by my GI (im in the UK) I'm on infliximab now and have never had ore meds for that either.

 

[lblair]

Hi That happen to me too and swithched to the syringes I have a latex allegery and the pens have that. The part that protect the needle has latex in it!!! I have not had trouble since then.

 

[deb123]

Hi,
Well its day 2 after injection and absolutely no reaction Yay!!!

I did actually push down harder into my skin and I did leave it slightly longer than the yellow window indicator the completed shot.
Maybe a combination of time duration of shot, anthistimine and icing before it has time to inflamed helped.

I will continue with all the above, as I don't want the GI to stop the Humira as they did with the Remicade.

I just hope its healing my internal Fistula x

 

[HNL29]

Hi deb, i'm glad this last shot was better. I've been on humira nearly 3 years now and used to regularly get bad skin reactions, but they don't occur so frequently now. As advised by Jennifer I hold the pen in for longer than it takes the yellow indicator to come down. I count really slowly to 10 so it's more than 10 seconds. I find it's worse if I have a hot shower shortly afterwards so I changed my routine to have the shot later in the day rather than first thing in the morning. I also have hayfever almost year round so I take loratadine daily, and I have a topical 1% hydrocortisone cream that gives some relief. I don't know why the reaction has lessened over time but I'm grateful. My best bit of advice though is do not scratch it - it only ever makes it itch more!!

 

[Jennifer]

Itch more and get bigger. LOL. I take Benadryl right away when I notice I'm scratching.