Strange Possible Side Effect of Humira..?

[heyayej]

Hello All,

I began taking Humira about 5 weeks ago. Very soon after the first "loading dose" (4 shots at once), but face became extremely dry. I started applying lotion during the day and even a thin layer of Vaseline at night. This helped some, but the dryness would get worse after each shot.

At first the dryness was only on my chin. It appeared chapped and bright red. Now, the dryness has worked up around my cheeks as well. The skin is red, flaky, and sometimes a little itchy. I can't figure out if this is connected with Humira for sure of if it's something else coincidentally occurring.

I've never had any allergic reactions to any thing in my life, so I'm unsure if this is ever something seen with allergic reactions. My next doctor's appt. is 10/14 and I can't quite decide if this is something that warrants contacting him prior.
I'm not in pain or suffering... the Humira is being very effective, but my face is becoming a mess. Today I noticed is appears ever so slightly swollen.

Has this sort of thing happened to any one else?

Thanks in advance for any feedback! And my apologies if this has come up somewhere before... I'm still new to the forum and learning how it all works. I did do a search, but didn't come across a similar post!

 

[Patricia56]

Unfortunately it is likely a reaction to Humira that will require you to switch biologics. It sounds exactly like a new onset of psoriasis - a known but rare side effect.

I suggest you call your doctor now and do not wait to let him know the severity of the symptoms. I suspect they will have you stop the Humira.

Sorry.

 

[heyayej]

I've called the doctor and left a message on the machine. Hopefully I'll get a call back today or tomorrow.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[Mountaingem]

I agree, it sounds like psoriasis brought on by the Humira. I had a similar reaction and it cleared up once I switched to Remicade. In the meantime you are doing the right thing by using Vaseline. I also used Dove unscented soap, which is very gentle. You may also need to switch to baby shampoo, since what is on your head runs down your face. I didn't think of this at first but when the condition continued on my face I realized it was the shampoo irritating it. Hope this helps.

 

[Gunnhild]

After being on Humira I had phototoxicity. I struggled with sunburn (even in the most mild sun light). I was prescribed fatty cream. Eventually I saw a dermatologist, they prescribed steroidal creams(?) and they worked immediately. I went off Humira and have now developed a bad back which has all the indications of enteric spondyl arthropathy (arthritis of the spine caused by Crohn's), I get to see an orthopaedic surgeon today.
Ibuprofen (for back inflammation) brought back photo toxicity but went away when I stopped using it, however i seem to have a permanently dry skin.
Lately i wash my hair with an oil and then with shampoo it. I have to wash dead skin out of my ears every morning. I'm 60 so I'm not sure if that plays a part or not.
Since going off Humira (7 months) I haven't been on any meds; I thought my insidious, debilitating back was unrelated.

 

[PsychoJane]

I had issue with humira and dry skin. It was mostly forehead and cheeks in my case and certain area of inverted psoriasis too. That, and several additional side effects. I discontinued the humira due to surgery and chose not to come back on it there after. I too now have spondylarthropathy... supposedly because of crohn but my mind will never be at ease as if it was in reality possibly triggered by the humira. Never had that happening prior to humira but had it thereafter. They will generally say there is no link in between both but I hardly believe that. There will always be a doubt subsisting in my head regarding this.

It is always tricky as if it is worthy to come of the medication or not. Personally, I believe that systemic side effects should be taken into account seriously. They might offer you to treat it with corticosteroid cream and see if that contains the symptoms.

My skin issues all resolved once the treatment was discontinued and did not reoccur. In certain case, it's been reported that the psoriasis remains there after.

 

[heyayej]

Thank you all for your input! I got a return call from my injection-training nurse today. Gave her more details regarding the reaction I am having and am waiting to hear back again.
I've been moisturizing as often as possible and the dryness feels better, but then skin is still red and blotchy. Parts of my face look slightly swollen and the skin is still flaking off, but it at least doesn't feel as tight, but the moisturizer does burn slightly even though it's no-perfume, no-dye, etc.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Are they thinking its an allergic reaction?

The irritation should go away but I know the lotions first aggravate my skin more after Humira. I stopped taking it though for a host of other reasons.

 

[Essieluv]

When I was on Humira, I got random dry patches all over my face. No lotion or cream I used helped, even the heavy duty stuff. It wasn't red, but definitely flaky, tight, and itchy. When I stopped Humira, the dry patches went away. I think it was a side effect for me.

 

[Traumanurse]

Help!. Perfect post to ask a question.....

I had to increase my dose of Humira for several reasons. Have 5-10 stools a day, still maroon so that means blood for me, and painful joints. Had a rash on my back off and on before starting Humira and uveitis before the Humira.

Now my hair is falling out! Big handfuls after a shower. It comes out all the time a little bit, but when it gets hot and wet, it's awful! It seems to be coming mostly from my hairline in front where I get a rash off and on in the front of my scalp.

The weird thing is, after my bowel resection and starting Humira, I feel so much better. No pain.... so I feel better, am gaining weight, but now have a scalp rash, and my hair is falling out. I just don't know what is the Humira and what is from the disease. My Doctor is supposed to call this afternoon, but any advice would sure help!

Thank you all! what a comfort this forum is!

 

[Gunnhild]

Trauma nurse. One of the creams that settled my red skin very quickly was m-mometasone.
After bowel resection watch calcium intake. I have lost 90cm and have osteoprosis which has given me a painful back (40 years on).

 

[Mountaingem]

You are absolutely right, moisturizer burned my skin too. I started using Vaseline Intensive Rescue cream, which isn't made for your face, btw, and it was the only one that didn't burn. I also used Emu oil and that was very soothing as well.

 

[Traumanurse]

Thanks all!
Still haven't heard from my Doc, so still wondering about my hair falling out. I'm not a terribly vane person at all, but I think I'd quit using the Humira before I'd go bald....

 

[Mountaingem]

My hair fell out quite a bit on Humira, too. You can try taking Biotin, that helped mine grow back. Also, I don't know whether you are on Methotrexate, but that can cause it as well, and the doctor prescribed Leucovarin which helped quite a bit.

 

[heyayej]

I sent photos to my doctor and he finally got back to me. He thinks it could be an allergic reaction, but isn't sure. Either way, he doesn't want to risk it. So, I'm stopping Humira. He wants to start me on Cimzia, which I know very little about. Any thoughts?
I'm going to inquire on the Cimzia forum as well...
Part of me wants to hold off and see if 6mp will be enough since the little bit of time on Humira was enough to really get my Crohn's in-check.
I just don't know. I hate changing medicines.

 

[Traumanurse]

I have to say, that a big part of me wants to go off all meds again. I was symptom free for about 10 years before the last flare and med free. Maybe that's the best you can hope for with this darn disease.
Wondering if every new problem is the disease or the cure drives me crazy! I would know the answer if I wasn't taking the drug. Now it's a matter of weighing all the risks in just stopping the Humira.

 

[Gunnhild]

I was free of major symptoms without meds for about 15 years after first two bowel resections. One thing i can say with confidence is the metamucil helps. Lately I'm a believer in daily vegetable puree/soup also canned sardines. The vegetable soup is of a consistency that it will get through any gap and can be taken in small portions so it is empowering.