Hash Anyone Had a Rash Like This?

[srmika]

Hi all,

Three weeks ago I learned I was B12 deficient (numbers in the mid 200s) and started injections. I live in the U.S., so am getting 100 mcg every two weeks. The day before my second injection, I noticed a rash that started on the tops of my feet, then trailed up my legs. A week later (today), it has gotten a little worse, and now goes to the tops of my legs. It seems most concentrated at my feet, then gets lighter from there. It does not itch or burn - I have no symptoms other than the appearance of the rash. I did a little research and it seems the deficiency can cause a rash, as can the injections, but I'm curious if any of you have experienced something like this. And if so, is there anything to be worried about? Thank you for any help you can lend!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I'd really suggest speaking to your doctor - or to a dispensing pharmacist. It could be B12 or it could be something else.

Good that it isn't painful at all.

Rashes can be a sign that your immune system is working either properly or that it has gone into overdrive ... and if you have been B12 deficient for a long time then it won't have been working properly which tends to mean that loading shots can kick off a temporary overdrive.

B12 can cause significant acne but the mechanism there seems to be reaction of bacteria on the skin - responding by secreting a toxin that irritates the skin and is really painful.

Another possibility may be an alergy to something in the B12 shots that you are receiving - though in general I'd expect that to be painful and itchy.

[srmika in reply to Gambit62]

This is great info. Thank you! I spoke with my doctor's nurse but she didn't seem to be too worried about it -- told me to take Benadryl for a couple nights and see what happens. Your info is MUCH more helpful!

[bjhealing51]

Hi

I have recently had a rash very similar toy yours mostly on my feet and lower legs. I first went to the chemist who said he didn't recognise it and that I should see the doctor

The only difference is mine was itchy

Doc gave me steroid cream and Benadryl

This had no effect and its only just starting to go eight weeks later

This rash did happen after I had self injected and strangely when I scratched a spot the blood looked pink instead of red , all very strange

This doc doesn't know that I self inject and I have never had this problem before

I was wondering if I had a dodgy batch of hydro or maybe my levels were too high

Barb

[srmika in reply to bjhealing51]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I was advised to take Benadryl, too, and thought about trying hydrocortisone cream. I thought the rash might be a reaction to the loading doses, and your story reinforces that hunch. I also appreciate you sharing how long the rash lasted and that it didn't go above your legs. I'm hoping mine stays to that area as well. Sounds like I need to be patient with the progress - much like with B12 deficiency in general. Again, thank you!

[helvella in reply to srmika]

Be careful. Benadryl is a brand name - and it refers to different products in the UK and the USA (and elsewhere).

Best to be specific about the active ingredient(s) in order to (hopefully) avoid confusion.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benadryl

But I wouldn't trust any information except what is on the package itself - things change.

[srmika in reply to helvella]

Very good to know. Thank you! I should have been more specific in saying my doctor's nurse advised on the Benadryl. 😊

[Jeanettejackson]

Hi, am the same every time my injection is fue approx a week before i get this rash on my arms, neck,chest and face and legs. But i find it very itchy and have been on stetoids and creams for it but still every time my jab is due this rash appears all over me. So believe me i know what your going through.

[srmika]

That doesn't sound like any fun at all! Sure hope you're able to get rid of it eventually. I had mine for a couple months, then it went away and never came back.

[Mimimeows]

Hello, I see this is an old post now - but I’m getting this exact rash 6 months into b12 injections - did you figure out what it was? Thanks!

[srmika in reply to Mimimeows]

Hi! I'm so sorry you have it too and worse, that it itches! I'm sorry to say I never figured it out, but it did go away. I hope yours goes away soon!

[Mimimeows in reply to srmika]

Mine also doesn’t itch - if I didn’t see it I’d never know it was there - so odd! So yours went away and you were still continuing to inject b12? Spoke with an admin of a b12 group who believes it’s the b12 detoxing the body - so glad to hear it did go away. Thank you !!

[Cbrawlings in reply to Mimimeows]

Hello! I was just wondering if your rash had improved at all?

I've just finished loading doses, and this popped up on the inside of my knees. I thought initially it was prickly heat but seeing all of these posts males me think perhaps it could be due to the injections.

[Mimimeows in reply to Cbrawlings]

Yes! My rash lasted for about a week and travelled from my thighs and stomach all over my body then faded completely and haven’t had it again since. SO strange! It was painless, not itchy