Rashes and Itchiness - Something to share

[Amy_Lee]

When I started mtx, I developed rashes on both my hands and legs. They were very itchy. I had hard time to deal with them. I could not scratch them to avoid bleeding.

Few weeks ago, not sure if it was due to heat now, similar rashes and itchiness came back on both my hands and legs. The very first week, I applied only moisturizer but they were getting worse. Then I remember I used sea salt to rub on them after shower, so I did. The itchiness reduced after I rubbed them with sea salt. I continued with the moisturizer after that. A few days later, the rashes and itchiness reduced a lot. Now they are almost gone.

I do know a lot of RA patients have these problems hence I would like to share my experience and hope it helps. No harm trying out.

[charisma]

I think you have come across a good tip there, Amy_Lee!

I bought a tub of sea salt body scrub and use it once a week; built in moisturising effect!

It helps tremendously with prevention of dead skin scales dropping like a shower from clothing.

Great to see it also reduced that rash. I used to get nasty raw patches that scabbed, as well as mouth ulcers and pin point rash etc, on high dose MTX. Not stopped for those reasons though.

Now on low dose MTX to help anchor Truxima (Rituximab biosimilar.)

[Amy_Lee in reply to charisma]

You are right. I bought the sea salt long ago when the rashes developed after I started mtx in 2014. It took more than a year to subside after I used the sea salt at the very much later stage. I had actually forgotten about the salt until I could no longer tolerate the itchiness then it trickled the memory of the salt.

Is there any sea salt with moisturizer effect? I found it very dry after using the salt. But since I use moisturizer after that hence it is okay to me.

[charisma in reply to Amy_Lee]

I bought mine from Amazon; PRA Naturals pink Himalayan dry oil body scrub. amazon.co.uk/PraNaturals-Hi...

You just moisten skin eg in shower then step out of direct flow, apply this in very small amounts and scrub all over if wanted. A small amount goes quite a long way.

Then gently rinse off but do not wash it off.

[Amy_Lee in reply to charisma]

I see. That means it is a kind of oil based salt then. When I finish my salt, I will try that in future. So nice to know more how other people handle similar problem in different ways.

[charisma in reply to Amy_Lee]

I have not had as obvious a rash as yours. Plus, probably not good to put body scrub onto any raw areas; just common sense, as you are sure to know. The one I tried contains oils from olive, jojoba and kiwi seeds and from avocado.

Really lovely, makes me feel wonderful!

[Amy_Lee in reply to charisma]

Both my hands and legs were that serious. That was why I started to take photo to track the progress. The itchiness made me crazy really.

[charisma in reply to Amy_Lee]

Did you try anti-histamines? Or do you think it was a temporary reaction to drugs? It does look quite a severe rash. Great that it slowly went away.

Severe itchiness suggests allergy but if it disappeared with no changes to cut out the cause, maybe just drug side effects.

I posted pics for you to identify the body scrub if you want to at some point in the future. And others might like to try it too. 🙂

[Hessie5]

Great! I am a great believer with my frequent epsom salt as well as magnesium baths. Another tip I felt extremely beneficial was rubbing Vitamin C serum over the scars - I was scratched quiet badly when I accidentally trod on my beautiful cat 🥱it was dark and I needed the loo. I felt so bad. My furry buddy is fine and my severe scratches/scars all but disappeared 😁. Take care.

[Amy_Lee in reply to Hessie5]

I am glad you use salt too to help you. Yes, vit-C help to reduce scars on our skin. Since I did not scratch them, so no scars were formed. I used vit-C occasionally on my face for spots.