Rash while on a biologic

I have been on Methotrexate 25mgs for approx 4 years along with Roactemra inj and hydroxychloroquine tabs daily. I have the dry patches at the end of my fingers - as if I play a guitar - but have never been seen by a dermatologist and my Rheumatology specialist nurse doesn't seem too concerned. I just use hand cream when I remember but will be following your post as I am interested to see if there is anyone who knows what is going on. I hope you get an answer xxx

I have been on Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine for six months and am doing very well except for dry cracking hands and fingers that become numb with the slightest cold temperature and feel almost how I would imagine frost bite would be, this is a problem living in Canada in -25c just now, and I am a guitarist. ... I know I am to blame for the dryness of my hands because they become itchy and I scratch them with my nails especially in my sleep,  my relief for this itchiness is to run my hands under the hot water tap at the hottest bearable temperature,  the sensation is almost orgasmic,  the only way to accurately describe it.  The proper way to deal with my hand condition is to wash my hands less and regularly use a prescribed hand lotion.

Hi .. I'm same. Been on methotrexate for years and inflectra for nearly 2 years ...i have dry cracked itchy fingers that get really sore

I have eczema and it doesn't sound the same as the rash you describe. When it flares up it is red, raised and warm to the touch - like inflamed skin and burns. It doesn't get bumpy. This sounds more like some kind of allergic reaction to a med to me. Seems like they should analyze it a little better before tossing out a diagnosis. Just my opinion. Good luck, hope they get to the bottom of it for you. Rashes are pretty tough to diagnose I guess.

I really can't help you and I'm sorry but I had to say that I am frustrated with your doctors. It sounds like your doctors are passing the buck and you're the one suffering.

I so appreciate all of you that have replied to my problem.   I did get a call from my doctors office and she wants to see me next Tuesday, the 9th.  She also mentioned that it could be Pustular psoriasis, and that it could be because I am on a biologic and we could try lowering the dose but then the drug may not work as well. Since I am seeing the dermatologist tomorrow I will ask him if he thinks it’s Pustular psoriasis and will post again tomorrow.  All of you all are angels. 

 

Hello again, I saw the dermatologist today and he said that I have 2 different rashes but it is not Eczema or Psoriasis, he told me to use a steroid cream and he thinks it will go away.  As far as the little red bumps on my hands he did a biopsy on one of them and I should get the results next week, so it’s good to know that I do not have Eczema or Psoriasis but now I am worried about what is causing them. He is a really good doctor and he is an hour from where I live but it’s worth the drive. Thanks again for all your help and encouraging messages.

I had peeling skin on my hands with Enbrel. I didn't make the connection until now. 

I too take methotrexate. I was on Humira and it was extremely effective, but after about a year and a half I began to get a rash. Rheumatologist sent me to a dermatologist who thought might be eczema because of a strong history of allergies. It didn't clear up with treatment, so dermatologist thought it was psoriasis, which it was, and was actually a side effect (apparently a not uncommon side effect of Humira, which is ironical since Humira is also used to treat some forms of psoriasis). Rheumatologist changed me to Simponee, and rash very,very slowly began to clear up. I still have some vestiges of it after about 17 months.

So, I'd push the point a bit with your rheumatologist,because some of these medicines do have side effects,and something else can be substituted.

Sorry,should have read further before replying.

It was the Humira which caused the psoriasis.

I must admit, I'm not overly keen on the Methotrexate. Most weeks I have no problem, but then other times it seems to affect me. I took it yesterday, and all last night I was trotting to the toilet. I don't know if it has a diuretic effect or not, or if the weather has caused me to retain fluids until it cooled down in the night - it's very,very hot here at the moment - but it was most unpleasant. Other times, things seem to be a bit out of kilter e.g. I was at someone's place for lunch the day after taking it, and I could feel my self sort of fading in and out, so I went home. Other times, I have just felt exhausted.

My rheumatologist said to keep taking it because it helps to keep the biologics effective for longer - not as each injection will last an extra week, butin  that the stuff will not stop being effective after taking it for years.

Interesting. I take 10mg of Methotrexate, but as a single tablet, once a week. You take 2.5 mg ones - all four (or however many your dose is at any particular time) at once, or one every second day?

I haven't noticed any difference with my hair, but mine has gone grey and has the wispy texture that grey hair can have. I spend a fortune on conditioners, etc, but also have folliculitis which responds best to a tar shampoo.I try to ration its use as it makes my hair crispy.

Thinking about the Rheum. and when I showed him the rash, he did originally say it might be psoriasis, but that I should check with a dermatologist that it wasn't eczema. Strangely enough, the dermatologist didn't seem to be aware that psoriasis could be caused by Humira, but said that the Humira might have helped to keep it under control. Anyway changing the medication helped.

What I have noticed since I started on Humira, then Simponee, is that I have put on a ton of weight. I asked my Rheumatologist about this but he didn't seem overly worried. I stopped smoking before I had a double knee replacement four years ago and have gone from the slimmest I was since my 20s to far fatter than I have ever been. I think as well as stopping smoking, I was eating because I was depressed about just about everything in my life.

But you're right. Although the biologics are life changing, it is a real worry what they are actually doing to you. The necessity  for three monthly blood test (and monthly for the first year or so) do raise concerns.