Sulfasalazine and itching hands.

[Liberty43]

I have been on sulfasalazine for about 5 months and wondered if it was possible to get an allergic reaction after having been on it for this long. Wasn’t sure it was helping as my hands are in a terrible state with fluid filled knuckles. I have continued taking 4 tablets a day as my consultant thought my hands didn’t look bad when he saw them in April. The itching and horrible knuckles are keeping me awake at night and bother me throughout the day. Used various creams from pharmacy but nothing is helping.

Am concerned as l have bronchiectasis which has caused me to be hospitalised with both flu and community acquired pneumonia and my chest consultant put me on azithromycin 3 times a week. Have been taking them for about 6 weeks. I am really hoping that the itching is not being caused by that as there are not many options left for me.

As all my itching and swellings are in my hands l feel sure that the sulfasalazine is to blame.

Know l have to see GP and contact the rheumatology advice line on Monday but hoping others on this site have had these problems. Regards Maureen.

[Kalimers65]

It certainly sounds like an allergic reaction. I had something years ago like that pre RA days. It was due to lots of hand washing clothes . The itch is terrible isn't it - you just want to scratch until it bleeds. The dr gave me hydrocortisone cream a nd it went away immediately. My consultant wants me to go on sulphasalazine. Hope it goes soon for you.

[Mandalou]

Hi Liberty

If you have been on the Sulfa for five months and the latest drug for the other complaint for 6 weeks and the itch has come on recently this would lead me to believe it's actually the latest drug causing your itch.

Have you tried an oral over the counter antihistamine?

I suffer from a rotten allergy to Hydroxychloroquine and have to take Certrazine Hydrochloride in 10mg doses up to 50mg a day to counter the roving all over itch. The consultant says the itch is worth putting up with as the benefits outweigh the side effects.

I take them prophylactically now alongside my other tablets and am rarely bothered by what was something really troublesome.

I say the above just as something for you to ask a health professional about as I am not medically trained and nothing takes the place of qualified medical advice of course.

Good luck, as an aside I am horrifically allergic to Sulfasalazine but my allergy appeared immediately.

Mx

[oKerrio]

I would agree with Mandalou sounds like it could be more to do with the new recent drug. I have psoriasis on my hands elbows knees even in my ears and behind them. I found a totally natural product called dermaspray you can also get creams and serums etc but it was a god send! You can buy certain products from the range in boots but your best bet if you want to try it is buying directly from their website.

[Liberty43 in reply to oKerrio]

Thank you. I will look on their website. I really need the azithromycin as it is my best chance of avoiding further infections and visits to hospital.

[snis]

Hi there ,I had a rash on my body and hands last week could not stop scratching !!Had tablets off GP .I phoned my RA nurse she told me to stop the Sulfazalasine to see if it was the medication .I will see .I had been in the sun a few days before which is not recommended for those of us on it ..Take care x

[Liberty43 in reply to snis]

Hi. I had thought about the sun l must say. I am very pale skinned and do all l can to avoid the sun. I am contacting the rheumatology advice line in the morning. Thank you for replying.

[snis in reply to Liberty43]

Hope you ok today ! i am going to phone my RA nurse tomorrow as i have come out in small blood blisters on my arms near my wrists today and they are now bleeding !!!I was covered in the sun today .But my arms near my wrists were covered too !!Odd let you know what happens ..x

[Liberty43]

Seeing the doctor today. Still very itchy hands but no blisters. Itching is a side effect of at least 3 of my meds so all a bit worrying. Hope you improve soon and do let me know how you get on. The heatwave is not helping at all either.x