Methotrexate side effects in saliva?

[tall-tim]

Dear all,

I have an unusual question for you.

My new girlfriend has been experiencing unusual symptoms when I kiss her. She is having an adverse reaction which she describes as feeling like burning, itching eczema, and it happens on her lips, chin, forehead if I have kissed her there, and on her shoulders ditto, and also in more intimate parts. I have seen reddish weals on her shoulders and patches on her face. We note that she does not experience any discomfort inside herself during sexual intercourse. She is not on any medication, herself .

We have been trying to understand her body’s response. It is like an allergy to my saliva.

I am on 15 mg of Methotrexate per week, with occasional Sildenafil to help my fingers as chilly conditions suggest.

Do you think it is at all plausible that there is Methotrexate (or its residues) in my saliva and it is somehow provoking a burning reaction in her skin? This might work if the immunosuppressant properties of the drug present in my saliva were being met by an immune defence reaction mounted by her body. Has this phenomenon been recognised before?

I am desperate to find an answer to this issue - so is she!

Best regards,

Tim

[Midgebite21]

Probably a question for someone with inside knowledge of pharmacology. Ask your pharmacist if there are any such interactions. Hope you find an answer.

You don’t have a beard do you? If my husband has beard/ long stubble it irritates my skin.

[tall-tim in reply to Midgebite21]

Thanks for your advice, Midge.

No beard.

[Krazykat26]

I take Methotrexate and I can't say my husband has noticed any problems. I would second midgebite in that if he has stubble/beard it irritates my skin. So do perfumes so am wondering if it might be a reaction to aftershave etc. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

[tall-tim in reply to Krazykat26]

Thanks for your thoughts, KrazyKat.

No aftershave.

[SassyGranny]

I have found pharmacist's to be the best place to go when I'm looking for strange side effects. I have always had difficulties with taking medication which is why I was so nervous to start taking Sildenafil for my Raynaud's. While I'm not a doc/pharmacist, I don't believe Sildenafil would cause any of these issues with your girlfriend. I have a lot of allergic reactions to products. When my hubby started a new shaving cream and deodorant, I started with skin rashes immediately. He gets cold sores on his mouth and I can't kiss him when he puts on the lip balm. Good luck finding a solution! Keep us updated!

[tall-tim in reply to SassyGranny]

Thank you for your advice, Sassy. I the think Methotrexate is likely to be the issue, not Sildenafil. I don't use any 'products' - not counting soap here.

[Sevenstar]

I am very allergic to my husband's shaving foam and so I googled the ingredients and one of them is the same ingredient in washing up powder /liquid and many shampoos etc , it's called methylisothiazolinone. If you look it up in can cause wheals /hives even anaphylaxis! Not sure that helps you but you never know ! Good luck !

[tall-tim in reply to Sevenstar]

Thanks for your thoughts, Seven.

No chemical shaving products on my face.

[Rachmaninov2]

I agree with Midgebite, I would speak to your pharmacist. Methotrexate is a powerful medication and I feel that there may well be a residue in your saliva which is causing the reaction in your girlfriend. Have you read the information about possible side effects of Methotrexate and do any match with what your girlfriend is experiencing?

[Intimeslikethese]

Interesting. Although I have been celibate since my diagnosis but, years before my diagnosis and not on any meds, I would have the same feeling in my “intimate parts” after intimacy. There was nothing the gynecologist could find as a reason or cause. Maybe, your lady friend and you could see if an allergist could see the both of you to determine. Maybe to test your saliva and make sure you kiss her before they test her. Best wishes and congratulations on your new love!

[Blue_feather]

Have you considered that she may have a mild allergy to a soap or aftershave you put on your face?

[andy7551]

It does sound very likely that Methotrexate is causing it - it is a highly toxic drug after all. All I can suggest is scouring the internet for research papers /testing information/allergy data - hope you can solve this!