Pinpoint spots and RA

[StormWolf]

Hi all, I started taking Sulfasalazine for my RA about 6 weeks ago. This week I’ve developed pinpoint red spots on my shins and arms and what looks like a blood blister under my tongue. I think it may be reaction to this medication but wondered if anyone else has had similar? Thanks

[Neonkittie17]

I usually had urticaria solaris from May to September from taking Sulphasalazine. That was many years ago and I’m not on the med now as it lost its efficacy after many years. It’s been quite a sunny week and wondering if you’ve been outside more. I Had to cover up and wear a strong Sunsense sunscreen. Even sitting near a sunny window would give me the rash and anywhere exposed resulted in little red raised dots, depending on how long I’d been exposed depended on how long they lasted. Annoying and uncomfortable, but nothing dangerous. It looked like your photo but hard to tell unless you see something in real life. Do they itch? Never had the blood blister and sorry to hear that. Hope you can soon get some advice from your rheumy nurse.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Neonkittie17]

I am just the same on Sulphasalzine NK. I have factor 50 on in sunny weather and stay indoors when the sun is at it strongest. The biologics nurse was saying to me to always wear factor 50 as Amgetiva can also increase photo sensitivity. x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Summerrain14]

Yes it’s hard when you’ve got to avoid walking out in it. I am no longer on Sulpha since many years. I’m never a sunbather as such though I like to sit out for a cuppa or a read for half an hour or do gardening in my shorts and even the sunlight would cause the rash if I sat under a parasol/table brolly, rather than sunrays. I’m often on Doxycycline too and it can cause the sun to affect you I’m told re skin pigmentation. I’m quite skin sensitive so others probably wouldn’t have as intense a Sulpha reaction as I did. I use a clear factor 50 Amber Solaire spray. x

[StormWolf in reply to Neonkittie17]

Hi, thanks for this info. It started at the weekend, I was completely covered as it had not been sunny and was wearing long boots and trousers when I first noticed it. I’ll definitely get advice from the rheumo team

[StormWolf in reply to Neonkittie17]

Hi, yes they itch too. Will get advice next week as have appointment booked in.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to StormWolf]

Glad not too long to wait. Good luck.

[LoneEra]

Agree with Neonkittie17 - sulfa can cause photosensitivity and even the briefest time in the sun can lead to a rash. There is someone on here who mentioned blood blisters in the mouth a while ago...can’t remember off the top of my head.

Chat to your rheumatology team or even a pharmacist about the rash. Hope it all clears up soon...but I’d definitely invest in some light long sleeved clothing etc for the summer. I have to cover myself pretty much head to toe every year due to being paler than magnolia paint and sunscreen it cutting it 👩🏻‍🦰

[Neonkittie17 in reply to LoneEra]

It’s all rather frustrating. 🤨 The clear factor 50 Ambre Solaire Spritzer works best for me these days. Easy to use and can reach my lower legs! Sunsense cream was hard to use/to rub in and I’m unable to reach my lower legs and feet anyhow. That was 20 years ago so I am sure the product has improved .. it hope it has. You can get some super UV protection casual/fashion clothing from companies like Rohan which can help.

[Boxerlady in reply to Neonkittie17]

Having read this thread - and the other one about sun sensitivity on our medication - I've just bought the Ambre Solaire Clear Protect spray so thank you for the suggestion 😉Now that I'm home and can use extra-strong glasses (!) I see that the lable says not to use it on your face so what do you do about that please? 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

I use la Roche-posay 50spf light weight non greasy a bit pricey but get no reaction to the sun at all.

[Boxerlady in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. This is all new to me as I've never used sun screen before. I've always avoided hot sun but realise from what I've read on here that I should use something even when in the shade. Interestingly, on close inspection I've got a slight rash on the back of my hand which is probably because I sat in the sun yesterday. 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

It took me awhile to find a sun cream that not only stopped me burning but getting that awful prickly rash it lasts forever.

[Boxerlady in reply to Hidden]

The thing is that although I was prone to prickly rash when younger, I haven't had the problem for years - mainly because I'm careful not to get too hot/go out in the sun. So I'm getting sunscreen simply because it's recommended now that I'm on these medications, not because I'm aware of any issues.

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

I never had a problem until RA medication but like you am more careful now.. it’s not cheap having RA🙄

[Boxerlady in reply to Hidden]

I'm kicking myself because I saw a Nivea factor 50 face cream on offer when I was in Boots earlier (and I use Nivea a lot) but was too mean to buy that as well!

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

🥺

[Hidden]

I got this on hydroxychloroquine. Was told it was an allergic reaction. Take some antihistamine and monitor it

[StormWolf in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I’m on Hydroxychloroquine too. Have to take 2 antihistamines daily for my asthma but will definitely keep monitoring it.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I reacted to the antihistamines! 😆

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

You would 😂😂

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I know! 😜 I was just so spaced out and drowsy on the antihistamines I didn’t care about the itchy rash! x

[StormWolf in reply to Neonkittie17]

😱

[Neonkittie17 in reply to StormWolf]

Sulpha worked so well for me I put up with the summer rash but back then we didn’t seem to have so many lovely summers as we do the last few years so it didn’t bother me as it was raining mostly and dull. You could ask to see a dermatologist if the rash persists (let’s think it won’t though!) and the fact you got the rash when you’d not been in the sun and we’re covered up seems to say it maybe wasn’t a direct effect of the golden glowing ball! You haven't eaten anything different have you? I ate a soya yoghurt a couple of years ago. No idea I had a soya allergy and my blood test said I was borderline but my GP who saw my rash and swollen “egg eyes” said you certainly have soya allergy. Real attractive!! 😝 I got some calamine lotion for the soya allergy on my arms and that sank into in the skin nicely and helped soothe the rash. Aloe Vera gel also good. Let us know how you get on with the rheumy. x

[Blackwitch]

Hi StormWolf. You’ve not recently had a Coronavirus jab, have you? I heard someone on the radio talking about coming out in a rash after having a jab, last night. Nic xx

[StormWolf in reply to Blackwitch]

Hi, I had the Pfizer jab beginning of March. I’ll look in to that too. Thank you!

[Beachwalk]

I had similar in the winter and was advised to come off after four weeks and that the side effects of skin rash did not suite me.

[keen_walker]

I have been taken off sulfasalazine because my skin reacted badly on the arms and back.

[Knip]

I have this too. I had to come off of Sulphasalazine six weeks ago because of a widespread rash on my back and very bad headaches, which was a shame because it worked well as regards joints, and the pain that comes from the stiffness. I'm back on MTX now. I have these small, 'non itchy', but sore, red pinpoint spots on my legs as well, but they are not from the drug specifically in my case but from the RA itself. They seem to be due to the sun. Because my skin is very thin I have to be careful that they don't join and open up. I didn't realise it was so common until reading the replies to your question, I am using a factor 50 babys sun cream at present. If you get a different widespread rash elsewhere, for example all over your back, don't soldier on like I did, let your consultant know straight away. Take care.

[Nuttyshirlz]

Hi I also get it when out in sun but it calms down when in doors. I kept saying to my nurse skin feels bumpy. I also wear factor 50 but doesn’t help because I’m fair skinned and have psoriasis. So itching is something I’m used to. But it claims down. I get itchy maybe once a day normally about an hour after shower. Don’t think it’s covid jab because I was doing it before mine. I’ve being on my 4yrs. But with any rash keep an eye on it. Try not to think about it. The more you think the more you will scratch and fret.

[Grubbypaws]

I've just got this on my legs too! I'm on hydroxchloroquine but I also had it slightly last year when I was on mtx. My rheumatologist said he thinks it's from the RA rather than the drugs and he's put me on a one week taper of Prednisolone. It's not from the sun because I haven't been out of long trousers yet this year, but I'm wondering if it's from the heat?