Severe Rash associated with RA?

[sazkabaz]

Has anyone ever had a severe rash which has been attributed to RA? I’m on day 7 of what the doctor initially thought was a drug allergy rash (due to an antibiotic antifungal mouth treatment) but it has continued to get worse. It’s flaming red, hot and itchy and is starting to peel. Currently covers 70% of my body and am under instruction to go to a+e if it reaches 90%. Have tried 3 anti-histamines with no effect and now on a short course of prednisolone as well as steroid cream and 2 hourly intense moisturiser. The GP mentioned yesterday that it could be linked to RA and I have been having a flare of fatigue symptoms over last 3 weeks. Any experience of this and any ideas to help?? Thanks

[Madmusiclover]

much less severe for me but yes. Antihistamines and emollient wash worked but GP and I monitoring it now. Have you thought of ringing rheumy helpline? Personally at 70% and no answer I’d be wanting a referral by GP. Waiting til it’s an emergency seems a rather peculiar approach! Good luck.

[sazkabaz in reply to Madmusiclover]

So was your rash attributed directly to the RA then? Well I think the GP is hoping that the current course of treatment will stabilise it. I’ve tried the rheum helpline but not available till Monday… Hmm, maybe I should go back to GP and see if they can refer. Just doubt anything would happen today. Feeling relatively well despite the horrendous itch and pain though, I think the pred must be masking the fatigue. Swore I’d never take it again after a very long wean off but I think no alternative as no antihistamines working. Thanks!

[Madmusiclover in reply to sazkabaz]

undecided as to rA linked but GP vigilant in case. Only one antihistamine works for me. Benadryl (8 hour one: acravistine or similar name). Itch and pain not good….

[Green230461]

Had a rash linked to RA doctor gave me steroid fucibet cream which helped me. Hope you get sorted soon!

[sazkabaz in reply to Green230461]

thanks - wasn’t aware that an RA rash was a thing, so good to know this. Thanks!

[Madmusiclover in reply to sazkabaz]

worth a google…

[AgedCrone]

Have you thought of seeing a dermatologist….they are the specialists on rashes?

I had a very nasty rash & my dermy biopsied it & it turned out to be a Post Viral rash following a virus I’d had a few months earlier.

It disappeared of its own accord after a couple of months.

[sazkabaz in reply to AgedCrone]

sorry for some reason I missed these last few comments. 3 weeks in, IV drugs and an admission to the stroke ward for a neurological attack, no one quite knows what has been going on. Have seen dermatology, neurology, CT and MRI scans and with the rheumatologist next week. Now to add to everything else, I’m incredibly weak and extremely tired. It’s been a long 6 weeks 😭

[Lolabridge]

I had a bad rash from Sulfasalazine and was allergic to it so it was stopped. It caused other problems too.

Later I also got a flare up of lichen planus on my body and inside my mouth. I’d had it on the body many years ago, well before the RA appeared. It cleared up with steroids after a while.

But I don’t think RA itself has ever caused a rash although perhaps it may have triggered the lichen planus.

[sazkabaz in reply to Lolabridge]

sorry for some reason I missed these last few comments. 3 weeks in, IV drugs and an admission to the stroke ward for a neurological attack, no one quite knows what has been going on. Have seen dermatology, neurology, CT and MRI scans and with the rheumatologist next week. Now to add to everything else, I’m incredibly weak and extremely tired. It’s been a long 6 weeks 😭

[Lolabridge in reply to sazkabaz]

oh dear poor you! I hope your doctors can work out what’s happening and get you treated quickly.

[smilelines]

No rash here from inflammatory arthritis.

[Bobbiebella]

I had similar, caused by sulfasalazine and hydrochloquine.(?) stopped them immediately. GP said he’d never seen anything like it..very close to hospital. Sadly it lasted for weeks, high dose of prednisolone, antihistamine, it probably took about 12 weeks for it to disappear...all my skin peeled away, even between my toes..dermatologist said I was never to be prescribed these meds again. I’m hoping that your reaction settles down soon, sadly it’s time that will help. Take care.x

[sazkabaz in reply to Bobbiebella]

sorry for some reason I missed these last few comments. 3 weeks in, IV drugs and an admission to the stroke ward for a neurological attack, no one quite knows what has been going on. Have seen dermatology, neurology, CT and MRI scans and with the rheumatologist next week. Now to add to everything else, I’m incredibly weak and extremely tired. It’s been a long 6 weeks 😭

[cyberbarn]

I agree with above, a dermatologist might be the best next stop.

I had the sulphasalazine rash too. I thought it was just a small one, until my son pointed out it was all over me!

But also, don't forget that rash is part of psoriatic arthritis. And there are many different types of psoriasis other than the typical plaque type. And some of them are often misdiagnosed.

[sazkabaz in reply to cyberbarn]

sorry for some reason I missed these last few comments. 3 weeks in, IV drugs and an admission to the stroke ward for a neurological attack, no one quite knows what has been going on. Have seen dermatology, neurology, CT and MRI scans and with the rheumatologist next week. Now to add to everything else, I’m incredibly weak and extremely tired. It’s been a long 6 weeks 😭

[Seatgeorge]

I have rash on my back at the moment, it could be meth jab causing it, so dosage dropped and back to tablet to see if it improves, if not dermatologist appointment.

[Tourk]

That sounds terrible, I do get skin infections but I put that down to having to spend to much time in bed. I've got a spinal injury as well as ra, it makes moving very painful.When I have a flair up I've found ( for me) the best treatment is mouth wash dabbed on the infected area. I read about how it could help while I had a particularly bad intention. Nothing else seamed to help. I find it cooling and stops the itching

Worth noting mine is an infection not a reaction to treatment.