Humira and Rash: What Users Say

• How...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had sudden-onset acute rheumatoid arthritis at age 58. Severe pain, swelling, unable to work, or do much of anything. Rheumatologist put me on Humira after trying various other therapies. Was taking Methotrexate, but that started causing chest pain. The Humira was like magic for a while - the pain was much diminished. I was able to go back to work and resume a very active lifestyle. After about 1 1/2 years, the side effects started. Rash at first, then a plaque-like rash with sloughing skin (which is still spreading) on my head and hands. Then boils started - very large, very slow to heal. I have to stop taking it - it is killing my immune system. Really not sure how much damage has been done to my body from this drug. There are significant risks to this drug."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 57-year-old female, diagnosed with RA 29 years ago. I took Enbrel for 9 years, but began to have more frequent flares, so my rheumatologist switched me to Humira. I took the first injection 20 days ago and felt great until day 12, when I developed severe flu-like symptoms, with aches and pains, and had a significant rash over my entire body and face. It was like having a major RA flare plus an itchy rash and headache at the same time. I was prescribed a six-day dose of prednisone and 24-hour-a-day Benadryl. I had little improvement three days later and received a steroid shot, which was three days ago. Four days later, I still have significant overall weakness, a major headache, and injection site reaction from the initial and last injection."

• Con...
• August 5, 2019

For Psoriasis "I’m sharing this only with the hope that it might help someone else. My daughter was started on Humira six months ago for psoriasis. Three months in, she developed what looked like a very itchy rash over her entire body. After two weeks, the rash turned into what looked like psoriasis plaques. Her physician switched her to Taltz. She had some initial clearing, but it came back with a vengeance. Tried several different types of steroid creams, but the rash continued to cover 90% of her skin on her arms, legs, and torso. Last evening, with nothing left to lose, I smeared Vermont’s bag balm all over her back, as this was the worst area. This morning when she woke up, there was a noticeable (I’d say about 50%) improvement on her back, with no change to the skin on her extremities. I do not work for the company that makes the cream, and I’m not trying to sell it to anyone. I only wish to share our experience."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "It was a clearly effective drug. I started feeling better the week of the first injection. However, I had a very bizarre reaction involving a high, persistent fever for more than 3 days, swollen lymph nodes all over my body, hives, severe eye pain, and a dramatic drop in the number of white blood cells."

• In...
• November 30, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Began experiencing rheumatoid arthritis in spring of 2014. Was put on methotrexate and Humira. The arthritis was affecting my wrists, hands, and fingers with severe pain, with some additional pain to both knees, ankles, feet, and toes. At 52 years of age, the debilitating pain was not acceptable. Almost immediate relief from pain was achieved with these medications, but the side effects began. Yeast infections, skin rashes, etc. Quit both meds in December 2014. The severe pain in both hands has returned. Have an appointment in January 2016 with a new rheumatologist for a second opinion for treatment. For those with allergies and sinus infections, try eating some raw local honey each day. Eating honey has taken headaches away for me."

• Ang...
• December 10, 2020

For Hidradenitis Suppurativa "I have Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) stage 2. I finally got approved. I was fine for like 3 months, I got more of my HS. Then I started getting this rash all over my hands and face. I did get a biopsy of this and found out I’m allergic to Humira. All bodies are different, but I’m staying clear away from medicine since they don't work well. I still stick with my routine I’ve always done, and for pain, I use my medical marijuana card."

• JEC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Humira was not safe for me. Was on methotrexate, but did not control RA well and kept having to have joint replacements. So prescribed Humira, first injection was okay, did not see any effect, but was told it had to build up. Second injection the next week. The next morning I woke up in trouble! TERRIBLE... rash, facial mask, hives/itching, sores in mouth and throat/eyes. Taken off Humira and told I had a 'lupus-like' syndrome. Was on steroids for months as it stayed in my system for three months before the lupus episode was over. Humira said once it was out of my system, it would be okay (still get hives off and on). I believe it is likely, now reading literature, that PEG (those lipid nanoparticles) in the injection might have been a cause, but no one knows for sure. BAD drug in my case."

• Mel...
• April 19, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on Humira for around six months. Here lately, I've noticed a rash that itches super bad. It started on my face, where the left side of my face was swollen and hard with itching bad. Please, if anyone has had this happen, please let me know."

• Tin...
• April 27, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am on Plaquenil and the disease was progressing. My doctor (whom I respect and value) recommended going on Humira. I gave myself the first injection and thought I had gotten my life back. I felt better almost instantly. Unfortunately, eleven days later, I had a huge allergic reaction at the site of the injection and my entire body (head to toe) was covered in hives. I was in pain and very itchy for days. I had to discontinue the use of Humira immediately and was put on steroids to calm everything down."

• DEB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2018

For Hidradenitis Suppurativa "I read Jen H.'s comment, and she is right, this medicine sucks! I too developed a very bad rash, and after months of different diagnoses and biopsies, they think that the medication caused 'pustular psoriasis,' which I'm not sure they are sure. My whole life is messed up, and I don't know what to do!"

• Put...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 12, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Humira was a life saver for 7 months for my psoriatic arthritis. Then everything changed and the adverse reactions began—drug-induced lupus causing massive hair loss from scalp lesions, skin rash, mouth ulcers and thrush, and fatigue like I never knew with PSA. I’ve never had this much hair loss, but then no other drug ever hit with such velocity before. I had fine hair but lots of it, so the loss was just visible in the shower and on the floor at first. But it’s relentless and unending until the bald spots are unmistakable to me and others around me. It’s been 4 months since I stopped this stuff and my histone antibody for drug-induced lupus is still positive. This drug is horrible and I wish I’d never allowed the start of it. It’s like something that is dormant laying in wait to attack. And when it does, it’s devastating."

• caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2017

For Crohn's Disease "Although this medication does work for my minor Crohn's symptoms, the side effects are concerning. Diagnosed last year during a routine ultrasound for an unrelated issue. Never sick a day in my life before then. Never had taken any prescription medication in the prior 53 years. Since taking this drug, 3 bad colds, 2 bladder infections, 1 prostate infection, and now a Candida yeast infection (major rash) and signs of psoriasis. Glad it does help some people, but I think suppressing the immune system is very risky. Now looking for a 'milder' drug or alternative treatments."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2017

For Psoriasis "At first, it gave me a red rash and did not help with my psoriasis. My doctor gave me a cream for the rash, and it went away and said I should keep using it. Several months later, I am as clear as I have been since first getting the medication. Pro tip: get the copay assistance card."

• Dro...
• November 27, 2015

For Plaque Psoriasis "I read about all of the bad experiences with Humira, and I never thought it would happen to me. A week after taking my first Humira shot, I woke up with a horrible rash. This was no normal rash, my whole chest and back were broken out, and it was burning. I took Benadryl and went to work. Throughout the day, the rash continued to spread over my whole body. I developed a butterfly rash on my face, and very little sunlight was burning me. I went to the ER, but they didn't know what to do, so I went to urgent care, and they gave me prednisone. The rash has cleared some, but I still have it. This was horrifying, I will never take it again, and you better believe this could happen to you!"

• Kni...
• June 17, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Humira for almost 2 years. I feel it works pretty well, I do notice some joint pain before it rains and the day before my shot, but my doctor says that can be due to damage already done. For anyone considering starting it, my experience was this: I typically have plaque psoriasis on my scalp and knees. When I first started the shots, I had an itchy 2-3 day rash at the injection site (this was resolved by having me ice the shot site first, I recommend this to everyone). I also had guttate psoriasis spread over my thighs and sides, which thankfully went away after 4 months, it was painful and snagged on my clothes. It would have been a deal breaker if it didn't go away, but it did, thankfully."

• Kni...
• June 17, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Humira for almost 2 years. I feel it works pretty well, I do notice some joint pain before it rains and the day before my shot, but my doctor says that can be due to damage already done. For anyone considering starting it, my experience was this: I typically have plaque psoriasis on my scalp and knees. When I first started the shots, I had an itchy 2-3 day rash at the injection site (this was resolved by having me ice the shot site first, I recommend this to everyone). I also had guttate psoriasis spread over my thighs and sides, which thankfully went away after 4 months, it was painful and snagged on my clothes. It would have been a deal breaker if it didn't go away, but it did, thankfully."

• jro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2019

For Psoriasis "When I was 29, I noticed a rash on my groin that grew slowly. Doctors prescribed topical antibiotics. Self-medicated with OTC cortisone for almost 10 years. Then, rashes began spreading to other areas of my body. Managed for a bit with cortisone creams, coal tar, etc. At that point, I was pretty sure it was psoriasis. At 38, I finally went to a dermatologist, and he confirmed. Started me on tacrolimus/pimecrolimus for sensitive areas and topical steroids for all others. That helped keep the scaling from being too bad, but plaques continued to spread. He upped the strength of the topical steroids to no avail. Finally, at 40 years old, the doctor prescribed Humira, and I had 100% clearance within 3 months. Unfortunately, the plaques are beginning to appear again. The doctor said to start with topical steroids again. I may ask to try another biologic with a different target, like IL-17 or IL-23 (Taltz, Cosentyx, or Stelara) before I become completely resistant to TNF blockers."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

For Psoriasis "I have palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis (PPPP). There isn't enough research on this type of psoriasis. My insurance company forced me to try Humira so I could get to the next approval of meds. I begged not to take this because it has been shown to make PPPP worse. One shot-the loading dose-is all it took for me to break out in hives. I refuse to take any more of it. The hives are as bad as the PPPP."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "After my first and only shot, ten days later I broke out in a rash from head to toe. The interesting thing was the area where I had given my shot was red and made a rather large circle surrounding the area where I inserted the needle. I contacted my doctor and she prescribed steroids to counteract the rash. Later in the evening, I was in the most excruciating pain in my legs, this lasted all night into the early morning. I even contemplated going to the ER. In the ten days of being on Humira, I had no relief from PA. I have some plaque psoriasis, and I will say that cleared up in the ten days that I was on it, only to return shortly thereafter. On a side note, I would like to say Humira has a wonderful support staff should you have any questions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2023

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "For 18 months, my ankylosing spondylitis was treated with Humira. I experienced increased heart rate, pain, and inflammation that progressed. Random rashes appeared. I experienced anxiety, being that the treatment affected my immune system functioning."

• PPT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 15, 2019

For Psoriasis "Probably because I have a strong fight-back immune system while still being young, I really don’t enjoy such treatment that worked at first and then backfired like anything. I’m really looking for a treatment that can last long, but Humira was not the choice for me, and I don’t know what to do now. After trying all pills, lighting treatment, herbal showering, and cream (most of the time I’m lazy to apply), I switched to Humira for a goal of 100% clearance. It worked so fast, like in 6 weeks, and then kept for a year and a half, but all of a sudden all the redness, rashes, and scales came back just like what it was only in 2 weeks, and it terrifies me. Every time I did the shot, it stopped and got better for 2 or 3 days, but the plaques are just madly itchy. Hope people got prepared for the aftereffects around the injection area and your body system; also, another side effect to me is extreme fatigue over a year."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "Used Humira for about a year and a half before I stopped. It had a good effect on the Crohn's disease, but the side effects were terrible. Severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, and fatigue were some of the worst. Although it was very easy to take, just using an autoinjector every second week."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "I started Humira in October of 2019 for Crohn's disease. By December 15th, 2019, I had to stop using it because of the side effects. I had swollen, red legs with a rash, restless legs syndrome, the feeling of ants under my skin throughout my entire body, rashes that became raw and very sore, a very strong, foul body odor that would not go away with showers or deodorants, gums started to bleed and teeth became sensitive, my hair started falling out in big clumps, food had a nasty taste, constantly tired, and my vision started getting blurry. My family said I was turning into a monster."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "I started Humira in October of 2019 for Crohn's disease. By December 15th, 2019, I had to stop using it because of the side effects. I had swollen, red legs with a rash, restless legs syndrome, the feeling of ants under my skin throughout my entire body, rashes that became raw and very sore, a very strong, foul body odor that would not go away with showers or deodorants, gums started to bleed and teeth became sensitive, my hair started falling out in big clumps, food had a nasty taste, constantly tired, and my vision started getting blurry. My family said I was turning into a monster."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I took my first dose of Humira (injectable pen), and one week later I have a terrible itchy rash all over my body. I went to my doctor and am waiting on biopsy results. Since I had the rash, I got a steroid injection, which hasn’t touched the rash, and in fact, it’s spreading even more. No one can seem to tell me if this is Humira, but I’ve never had a rash like this before and nothing else in my life has changed."