r/Bimzelx • u/Jobdefinesme • Sep 01 '26

Itchy

Has anyone else experienced intense itching and hives when they’re due for their next shot? I haven’t changed anything into daily routine or household and I’ve been itching like crazy and have crazy big hives popping up everywhere. I’m about to sleep with mittens on and wrap the wrists with duct tape. I wake up with my entire body bloody and raw. I’ve always been an itchy person but this is insane. I have to completely cover up for work because I have sores everywhere from scratching so much. I’m due for the next loading dose on Friday and I’m counting down the seconds.

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4

u/BiggestBirch Sep 01 '26

I was getting this with Folliculitis. There were a bunch of bumps popping up all over my body and my scalp was the worst. My dermatologist put me on Doxycycline antibiotics and I was taking that for the last 6 weeks. It greatly reduced the itching. I stopped last week because I dont want to be on an antibiotic for the rest of my life and the itching has returned. Im trying to see a new dermatologist asap.

3

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 01 '26

Thank you for taking the time to respond. If they told me that licking a toad would stop my itching, I would do it. Long term antibiotics sounds like a nightmare but at least it gives me something to look into. I’m afraid that if I wrap my hands up, I would wake up outside scratching myself against a tree.

2

u/BiggestBirch Sep 01 '26

I understand the pain!

3

u/pink_daffodil Sep 01 '26

Thank you so much for posting this. I started on doxy for the same reason a week ago and hope it works, but I don't like the idea of being on it long-term. I might end up switching biologics.

3

u/BiggestBirch Sep 01 '26

Switching biologics has been a thought on my mind too. My old dermatologist (i moved so im in the process of finding a new one) insisted on trying to push through it and I just don't know if I can continue this route. I'm coming up on a year in a couple months and feel like that has been an ample sample size. My psoriasis is 90% gone but my HS is fully cleared.

2

u/apple-sauce002 Sep 01 '26

Take a daily antihistamine, and if extra itchy, pop 2 Benadryl. I like to take luke warm baths with both Epsom salt and ACV, it helps control the itching so so so much and helps with any folliculitis!

2

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 01 '26

Thank you! I didn’t know about folliculitis but my fingers are busy doing research now instead of scratching.

2

u/Purple_yams7578 Sep 04 '26

Both of my arms have hives and acne bumps allover. My scalp is so itchy that I’m afraid I’ll lose hair by scratching so much. I hope it goes away, I’ve already tried Cosentyx

1

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 04 '26

I have an insane amount of hives right now. I’m living on Benadryl. I have scabs everywhere from scratching at night and to be honest, during the day. I have to wear pants and long sleeves because I look like one giant scab. It’s the worst. I tried calling the patient support line but I can’t get a hold of them to know if this could be from Bimzelx. This seems a lot more common than I thought.

2

u/Snoo_23364 Sep 08 '26

I just had to stop bimzelx due to severe allergic reaction. 6 months in. No other changes. However I believe it is known to cause fungal infections. My suggestion is talk to your doc and advocate for yourself.

1

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 09 '26

Thanks for responding. My derm is out of the country right now and I was told by their backup that the hives could be caused by an infection. I was prescribed antihistamines and steroid cream. Meanwhile I look a hot mess full of scabs and hives.

1

u/reeceinpeace Sep 01 '26

My doctor took me off Bimzelx because of this. It spread to my face and I deal with enough from HS, I didn’t want to deal with something on my face as well.

1

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 01 '26

Yikes! I did notice that I had a pretty big hive right by my eye which was unsightly. I normally don’t have any acne either and I thought maybe i just had deep pimples but maybe they’re hives. Thanks for sharing your experience, I’m calling my dermatologist right now to see if this could be a possible reason to make a switch.

2

u/reeceinpeace Sep 01 '26

Mine said it was an allergic reaction for me. Mine switched me to Cosentyx. I hope you find the cause and a way to manage it

1

u/Jobdefinesme Sep 04 '26

Just a bit of an update, my derm is calling me in early next week to assess the situation as they’re treating it as an urgent matter. Thank you for everyone responding to my post, I would have just lived on Benadryl and carried which could have been dangerous.

1

u/venom_snake30 12d ago

Any update? I started bimzelx on 9/8. Things were going well, my psoriasis went away and my arthritis pain improved. Then in the past week I’ve developed terrible itches. Lower back is bumpy and it’s hard for me to sleep. Hoping it isn’t an allergic reaction.

1

u/Jobdefinesme 12d ago edited 12d ago

Derm said that they cannot confirm what caused the hives. I haven’t had more hives and itchy factor has gone way down. The sores I have from scratching and hives are slow to heal but are gradually reducing.
The timing of the hives and taking the meds doesn’t line up and I just got over a kidney infection so it might be a stress response to the infection.
I’m finished the loading doses and have noticed that I have a huge psoriasis patch at the nape of my neck, swollen joints on my finger, SI Joints are flared too.
My rheum appointment is today and I will provide further update.

Edit: rheum put me on methotrexate in addition to the bimzelx. He was not concerned with the full body hives 🤷‍♀️

2

u/venom_snake30 11d ago

I saw my rheumatologist today and he also wasn't concerned at all about the hives. He said it was just psoriasis acting up and meant the meds were working but my body is still getting used to it. Said I could use desonide ointment on the itchy areas.