Abatacept causing skin rash.

[premierscfc]

I've been taking abatacept for about 4 years without any issues, over the last 6 months I've developed a skin rash with patches on most of my torso. Has anyone else had this problem?

[medway-lady]

Yes Discoid Ezcema on both upper arms that spread. I saw GP who prescribed a cream but it didn't do much plus a steroid cream as well. Anyway I spoke to RA team as there is a link and stopped the Abatercept for a month. I also had it just after Covid and a Covid jab so it wasn't clear what caused it for sure. So I found Clinique body butter worked well and so did Aveeno shower gel for sensitive skin. So after a month i restarted it an so far some six months later it hasn't come back. I still don't know for sure it was the med which caused it but can also say avoid all perfumed lotions, hot water and swimming pools as the chlorine really made me itch. The blotches looked like hollow red raised penny sized areas, I hope that helps.

[premierscfc in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks for your advice, I do have rashes similiar to your description and I have had rashes to varying degrees (but not as bad) on all versions of anti-tnf. It is bad on my finger tips and I have to wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes. I use doublebase a number of times a day and it helps but doesn't prevent it.

[oldtimer2]

It may not be 'caused' by the abatacept. We do tend to assume that everything we have is either due to our Rheumatoid Disease or to the treatment we're on (I know I do). So treat it anyway as if you have ezcema or whatever you think it is. Using regular creaming with something that suits your skin (Aveeno for example is particularly good as already suggested), dry carefully, and look after yourself.

[premierscfc in reply to oldtimer2]

Thanks for your reply, the only thing I would say is that within 12 hours of the weekly injection it flares and is noticeably worse, by the 6th day it has eased a little.

[julie1908]

yes i had this both times after I had my covid jabs, so I put it down to them x