I get a red itchy rash when the weather is very warm and cannot go out in the sun, I believe it is due to the drugs i take, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine.
I spoke with an RA nurse and she says she believes it is an allergy or something I am using.
This only happens during very warm weather and goes away when the season changes so I am not convinced by her idea.
Anyone experience this and have any ideas how I can get help for it as it is driving me crazy each summer? Allergy tablets do help a bit but not enough
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catwoman4
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I have been on Hydroxychloroquine twice & both times I had the same symptoms as you.It took 3 weeks for my symptoms to settle down after they took me off of them. I can now go out in the sun without getting sun sensitivity.
I get itchy spots on my hands during the summer I finally found something online about it being a type of allergic eczema. I use over the counter hydrocortisone cream which helps.
I get this too but I was told by doc not to use a sun cream with oil in it and I don't get it now but as I use high factor and stay in shade no sunbathing now ,but then again I live in Scotland we don't get much 😏😏
My friend has a similar problem which she gets every year. Very much like prickly heat and she is a sun worshipper but doesn’t have hydroxy or MTX as she has MS. The way she gets around it without being driven mad by itching is she takes antihistamines every day for a least three weeks before the weather starts to warm up and especially every day whilst she’s away or enjoying the sun. Mtx most certainly affects your skin and makes you extra sensitive to the sun so high factor sun cream is a must and cover up if you can. That’s the only thing that keeps me sane I cannot bare hot weather and hide away from it when I can because I just swell like you won’t believe. I hope you find a solution maybe ask a pharmacist if there is a better antihistamine because there are lots.
Discoid Eczema can be linked to anti TNF meds and hates the sun. I've had it and it was diagnosed by GP and a cream prescribed. I was also advised to stop the Abatercept for a month but as I'd started it at same time of getting Covid and an infusion despite 4 jabs it was a bit confusing. Anyway rash did go but not because of GP's stuff but Aveeno and Clinique. I do think that the skin may become dry through the meds so it would be a good idea to buy some good moisturiser and apply liberally. And say out of the sun and no soap either. Ask RA team about doing a temporary stop of the med and see what happens.
I've got a great photo from the very late 1970s of the back of my hands covered in swollen "water" filled mini blisters. I was holidaying in the Balearics, and it was too darned hot. Fortunately, one of the folks I was with was skilled in herbal medicines, etc, and she gave me a treatment to discourage water retention, and it cured the problem for me. I haven't had prickly heat, or water blistering since. Nor have I missed them. I regret to say, I cannot remember what the treatment was (which does bug me). When I come across the photo....one day....I'll post it here. I can distinctly remember the level of discomfort however - almost unbearable - and very much sympathise with you Catwoman. I very much hope you gain some relief.
Methotrexate makes you photosensitive (sun sensitive) so you do get rashes and prickly heat. I’m on it and get this too. Sun cream makes it worse so I just try to sit in the shade or cover up by wearing something in thin cotton. Hope this helps.
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