RA and rashes

[Sapphire1701]

hi, I’m just wondering if you can get rashes with RA..

I’ve developed a few patches of small rashes possibly a bit like hives, though one is a circular rash (which aware could be ringworm but don’t think it is).. also aware these may just be fungal rashes.

we have lupus in the family and although I was tested my titer was in the range for lupus but my consultant said that was common with RA.

im not overly concerned just wondering if these rashes are linked to autoimmune or something totally different!

[medway-lady]

I got drug induced Eczema with Abatercept. When stopped it went but looked like red circular areas and really itched. Very unpleasant.

[Gillybob19]

I had a reaction to adalimumab. Rashes on my legs and trunk. They said it might be fungal but it didn't improve with antifungal cream. They took me off it and I went on etanercept which was fine.

[Sapphire1701 in reply to Gillybob19]

Ah I started on Adalimumab 3 months ago so I guess could be that!

Thank you

[Gillybob19 in reply to Sapphire1701]

Well the rheumatologist wasn't convinced it was related. It disappeared when I came off the adalimumab though...

[Madmusiclover]

I get rashes on all sorts of drugs. But definitely if they contain E104. A food colouring banned in food; but not drugs. Just because drug is not yellow doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain it. My poor old pharmacist has to read all ingredients first!

[cyberbarn]

rashes are also common with psoriatic arthritis. But you don't have to have a rash to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

My son and I have a GP that thought all rashes were ring worm. We had to use the anti fungal treatment to show it didn't work to prove that it wasn't. As the rheumatologist subsequently diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis I gave up discussing it with my GP. I just use Vaseline now.

My son's rash is more extensive and the GP did say last time that maybe it needs a referral to dermatology, but my son is so fed up with the GP that he is refusing to go back. 🤷‍♀️

[J1707- in reply to cyberbarn]

Yes I agree psoriatic arthritis especially as a circular rash

[Blackberrywine]

I did get loads of weird rashes prior to being diagnosed. Pretty sure now it was to do with autoimmune issues. I have also had drug induced rashes.

[Seabird1]

Hello. I get odd ones now and again. My gp said it was an autoimmune rash and I use a cream he prescribed and it seems to ease it.

[Green230461]

I have teenage acne on my forehead I am 63😡

[Artfanatic]

Ironically I've had a series of weird rashes recently after going back on all my medication after coming off it for a couple months while I had a new knee operation. One was around my neck & this was a week after having my covid jab. Now recently I'm getting odds spots, one on my hairline that wouldn't go for weeks & now one on my nose & chin below my mouth! I'm 70 years old so it can't be acne!!! I'm not sure why or what is causing it but I'm also not getting on very well with my stomach & getting diarrhoea now I'm back on Methotrexate! Not sure whether to contact my RA nurse about this or not? Or do I just muddle on?

[Chris_O in reply to Artfanatic]

Hi. Are you taking oral methotrexate? I was a couple of years ago and it gave me the same symptoms. Changed to injectable methotrexate and no problems anymore.

Chris_0

[Artfanatic in reply to Chris_O]

Yes on 3 x2.5mg tablets once a week, so thats interesting & worth looking into thanks. I'll speak to my RA nurse when see her in Oct.

[Linysaurous in reply to Artfanatic]

It won’t hurt to contact your RA nurse if you are worried, alternatively you could ask the pharmacist for guidance. Best wishes

[DaliLove]

Hi. I've been getting shingles multiple times since 2019. My rhumy said my medications are effecting my immunity. I'd been on long term MTX and had started Leflunomide. I'm off MTX now and had the double shingle vaccine. I now get rashes still where my shingles use to be. My doctors have no answer to this. It's very annoying and frustrating.

[HeadInASpin]

hi sapphire. I have a cluster of itchy little spots that come and go on my left foot and toes. They came at the same time as my RA and way before I started any meds. It goes away when I have a steroid injection and itches like mad when my RA is at its peak. I’ve mentioned it to my gp, consultant and rheumy nurse…none of which were interested and said it’s nothing to do with RA. I beg to differ but hey ho!

[wilbertjellyfish]

Yes. I have a a weird rash that comes and goes this past three years. Sometimes small irregular slightly raised red areas, not itchy. It's been biopsied four times and very non specific results. Dermatologist thinks it's just eczema but I didn't have it when I saw her, previous one wasn't sure. Also this summer I had about a dozen really itchy big hives on my legs .

No change in medication.

[Chester1975]

It could be psoriasis as I get it especially on my face. I had to have antibiotics to clear mine as it became infected. Steroids are not advised if you have psoriasis. The doctor prescribed me a face wash / moisturiser with anti fungal in it Xx

[TwoH]

I went from a diagnosis with RA to an added diagnosis to Lupus and part of it was rashes. If you developed these due to sun exposure, it might be a clue but like everyone else said, there are many causes. These diseases are on a spectrum so it’s very possible to have more than one and more symptoms of one or the other.

[Portinatx17]

I have had itchy spots and hives that come and go, usually at bed time. Can last anything from 15mins to 3 hours! I had Amgevita added to Methotrexate about 18months ago . This reaction occurred within 3 days of start. RA dr and pharmacist say unrelated! I had 2nd TKR 4 months ago so had to stop Amgevita , no hives!! Theres defo a link, infuriates me that professionals dont listen or ?with manufacturer

[Otto11]

I developed small circular itchy areas a bit like Excema around my body. After patch testing they decided in was discoid Excema. It was discussed about coming off Abatacept as that was the suspected cause but I said I would cope with the rash. Oddly enough after about a year the areas started to reduce & have currently gone. I was a bit concerned about starting Abatacept infusions recently being 4 times the strength I thought it may re activate it but so far so good.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

I hope the Abatacept infusions are working well for you. 🩷

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks. I've been really exhausted since the last one but otherwise ok. I will have to chase Lloyds tomorrow as my next one is due next week & not had a delivery date. How are you doing? x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

Hi there, Oh no, 🙄😑 They tend to either be all over you chasing you or just forget you. Hope you’ll get this sorted asap. When do you think you’ll go back to sub-cut? I hope the skin issue remains calm.

I’m ok thanks. I had a missed call this morning from Lloyds at 8.38am. (I think that could be a bit too early on a bank holiday Monday.) I anticipate some cold calls .. and other people desperate to phone … so I put my phone on Airplane every night.

Apparently a nurse was phoning to see if I needed advice on how to inject the Abatacept syringes (despite me telling three people at Lloyds and a confirmatory email I have used syringes for Mtx for many years and didn’t need a nurse) which were delivered 1 August! Seeing as the next delivery will be pens the nurse is definitely behind schedule and not being told the info from Lloyds admins. I had Lloyds admins phone me Friday afternoon when I was in the car and couldn’t talk so I’ll sort it with them tomorrow. They said on Friday you can phone us on bank hol Monday! I declined and said I’d like a day off all this on bank hol but thanked them for phoning. It’s been full on the last 3 months with Abatacept, Lloyds and the hospital. Then Sciensus are texting and emailing me every day. 😳 I’m going to ask to opt out of this as it’s too much. I can remind myself to contact them. I’m not being ungrateful.

I hope you sort your next infusion delivery asap. x

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks. Poor you it’s so frustrating. Like you say it’s either a feast or a famine! I should have called them yesterday as today the message says unless your infusion is due in the next 7 days please hang up 🤷🏻‍♀️ will leave it a couple of days I guess. You will laugh. When I started with click pens a clinic Dr said he would show me how to do it. I had been to collect my first ones at the hospital so he took a pen & pressed the end saying just like this! I said I think you just injected it into your hand. He said I don’t think so but quickly realised his hand was wet! He was so embarrassed & I was a pen short! This was years ago when they first came out. They gave you cool bags back then too. I think the reps provided them. Anyway Good Luck 🤞 x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

Oh wow that was crazy re the doc injecting himself. 😳 I bet you were astounded he’d done such a thing. I wish you good luck too with your calls. I tried to get back to both today but no luck .. will try tomorrow. It’s been a very frustrating summer of Abatacept for many of us. 😑 Good luck too! x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

😫🤷‍♀️ I’ve just been told by Lloyds today when I phoned to arrange my next delivery, that it doesn’t say I’m to revert back to pens. The guy I spoke to said he’d chase it with their scripts team but I should chase it with my rheumy team as they’ll need to re-authorise this. Shouldn’t have to do this as it was said it was only ever a temp switch to the syringes and I’d be automatically transferred back to pens. I had a letter from Lloyds two months ago saying I’d automatically revert back when the clickpens are available which I understand are in good stock again. It’s silly now the amount of time being wasted, it really is. I am not a complainer but I am getting close!!!

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

For goodness sake! left hand right hand. My next infusion is next weekend & as I had no delivery date for Abatacept I called them on Wednesday to arrange it. (I'm not sure why I have had to call every month to arrange it but I have, otherwise I would still be here waiting) they arranged a delivery for early next week but did mention that the pens were now coming back into stock. I asked if my prescription was still valid for infusions & she said yes. I wonder if its an age thing 🤷 I did ask them not to bring another sharps bin though as I now have 5!! She said she cannot amend the delivery so 6 it is then!

[Peagreeen]

Hi. I developed drug induced psoriasis while I was on adalimumab. It was mostly on my feet but also had it a bit on my legs, torso and scalp. It's got much better since coming off adalimumab

[Otto11 in reply to Peagreeen]

I also developed Pustular Psoriasis of my nails whilst on Adalimumab. It took them 3 years to work out what it was but decided it was being caused by Adalimumab & not healing due to Methotrexate. They stoped meds & it went away. I find it all strange. Glad yours has improved x

[Peagreeen in reply to Otto11]

Gosh Otto 11 I'm sorry it took 3 years to work out what it was and glad yours has got better too. Yes it is strange, especially as adalimumab can be prescribed to help psoriasis x

[Otto11 in reply to Peagreeen]

Thanks. They thought it was Lichen Planus so had light therapy 3 times a week for 6 weeks. It would settle for a while then the cycle would start again. Eventually Dermy & Rheumy talked to each other & realised the problem. Isn’t it all weird. Or maybe I’m just weird 🤷🏻‍♀️

Nails at their worst

[Peagreeen in reply to Otto11]

Oo that looks sore. Glad it's sorted now.

[Otto11 in reply to Peagreeen]

Thanks. It was difficult to do certain things. Biologics certainly cause strange side effects.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

I’m glad that’s sorted out. Was it only fingenails or toenails as well? It must have been uncomfortable if catching them on anything. x

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

It was only fingers nails. Odd. The nail bed would get very red & inflamed then I would get holes in the nail sometimes the nail came off other times not. Then it would settle for a few months then the cycle started over again. Mostly left hand too which was better than right a least. I’ve also had BCC they said caused by Humira. I’m just odd 🤣

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

BCC in the fingernail? Gosh I’m sorry to hear that. xx

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

No on my leg. No idea how they can say it was Humira & not sun 🤷🏻‍♀️ Thanks xx

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

That’s what I was thinking - how can they know it was Humira? x

[Otto11 in reply to Neonkittie17]

🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️xx

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Otto11]

🩷xx