Well finally told to stop Hu today due to a spottie itchy rash that goes from right bicep across shoulder(back/front) up my neck into hair line, across my chest into arm pits, down my right side.GP says not shingles (yeh) probably alergy/infection.linked to HU.Had contacted the Hospital again on my behalf.
I contacted the and spoke to a nurse specialist who contacted Heam who has asked for bloods in two weeks! Why not straight away?
Anyone else had this rash side effect?
Rash is a common HU adverse effect along with some other dermal issues. You can find this in the literature if you need to. While I did not have this adverse effect from HU, i have had some mild itching and rashes with the interferons. Fortunately, they have been mild and well controlled with an antihistamine.
It does make sense to wait a couple of weeks for lab work. the doc will want see see how you react to discontinuing the HU. They already know that the HU is causing the rash so there is not likely anything labs would tell them at this point.
Fortunately, you do have other options to consider.
Wishing you all the best as you move forward.
Thank you Hunter , antihistamine and steroid cream desperately trying get control the itch!Rash looks like bad acne
That is no fun at all! I have used Eucrisa on eczema and other rashes. it works great. It may be that you will just have to let the HU clear your system and give your skin time to heal.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Yes I hope so currently not sleeping which is why I'm responding at 04.30.Terrible itching
Yes, the itchiness is horrible, sometimes I do have sleepless nights from it too.x
I did mention a out my itchy spots mostly on both of my thighs and had lots of friendly and helpful advice here, also started on antihistamine 2 weeks ago, my GP also need a full blood from me again then decide when to contact my haematologist if necessary. Am having my blood test next week, so hopefully will be able to decide what caused it. GP also suggested may be HU I've been taking caused the itchy skin.
Had very red rash in private places sometime ago, when on HU-was only taking for few months. spoke to Haematologist who said he would find me something else namely Anagrelide-
Have been on these about 4 yrs. Still get itchy but not with a rash.
Thanks for your reply.I think having it there would have been extruating and really painful.Sorry to hear you still itch on the new meds
Had a very bad rash up and down both arms but especially my right arm it looked horrible but worse it itched like crazy - even major antihistamines were not enough to provide enough relief to sleep...was the last straw that got me off HU and on to Peg
Yes it's my right arm that is really bad especially the shoulder area covered in raised spots with no heads and looks like a bad case of acne.Last night was terrible and expect to.be asleep on the sofa later.Here's hoping no more HU, I think I've had nearly every listed side effect.
Glad your ok now on peg
I would see a dermatologist. I wonder if it could possibly be psoriasis.
Hi Mirror368,
I can't argue with the possibility that seeing a dermatologist could be helpful, but while it could of course be psoriasis, nothing in what Spanelmad has described makes me think that it's at all likely to be the case.
Psoriasis is almost always described as having a prominent [and distinctive] feature of having scales: "Psoriasis causes dry, raised skin patches (plaques) covered with gray or silver scales. It may look different depending on your skin color, ranging from pink on white skin to brown or gray on brown or Black skin."
See my reply to Spanelmad below for more details.
Best regards,
PA
Very interesting, as I've got inflammatory arthritis that is a possibility.
Hi Spanelmad,
May I ask, when you say inflammatory arthritis, what do you mean, and how was it diagnosed?
Did/do you have a positive ANA, RF, and/or high S-Crp? Does it flare up at times with acutely red, warm, swollen tender joints ?
Those would be the most likely signs of an inflammatory arthritis,.
Most of the time people develop the classic rash of psoriasis long before they develop the joint inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...
It would be less likely [but not impossible for you to have developed the arthritis first and the rash afterwards.
niams.nih.gov/health-topics...
Best,
Thomas
Hi, sorry been walking the dog in a very soggy West Sussex.Right I was diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. I have raised esr and crp.Never had rf.So all the classic symptoms, very hot 🔥(get an egg on) joints but not a lot of swelling.
When I was first diagnosed they thought it was psoriatic arthritis.I had the rash, got swollen joints.
But then it was changed to.viral arthritis and finally to the current seronegative.
Thank you for the links will have a further read
Hi Spanelmad,
Never any apology necessary- especially when taking care of yourself and your furry family members.
Yup, sure sounds like they made a correct diagnosis in your case.
I'm sorry to hear that though.
Your skin eruption does sound like an allergic reaction, but I wouldn't have proffered any diagnosis sight unseen or on someone who is not my patient. 
Best regards,
PA
Eruption is definitely the term
Just to add I do think this is a drug allergy reaction, and not a change in diganosis.When I've been allergic to other medication s I've always had a skin reaction.
Hi all, pleased to say symptoms are improving rash a lot less angry and itchy!! Many thanks for everyone's support, will report again after bloodtest
Itchy Scalp with Anagrelide
bad itch and body rash
itchy skin
Skin rash 
Itchy and bitchy!
