Cortisone cream

[Blackcatlover]

Can I put cortisone cream on a very itchy injection site. I injected Actemra on Monday and site is ver itchy and red. Ugh!

[Chrisellie]

Do you use anti bacteria wipes before injection?

Do you wash the area first?

Which area are you injecting?

[Blackcatlover in reply to Chrisellie]

I use wipes before injecting, let it dry and then inject into a new area on my abdomen.

[Chrisellie in reply to Blackcatlover]

Maybe it’s the wipes?

Or try another area. I found the thigh the best for me.

Hope you can figure it out.

[Blackcatlover in reply to Chrisellie]

Thanks. Both good ideas.

[Blackcatlover in reply to Chrisellie]

Took your advice today. Injected into my thigh this morning. Had my husband squeeze the thigh and I placed the pen and it worked perfectly. Just a small red area- not like the orange size red area from last week on my belly. Thanks 😻

[PMRnewbie2017]

In uk you can buy hydrocortisone cream from a pharmacy but it is licensed for insect bites and stings. You will probably be asked a few questions before they sell it to you. However it wouldn't be appropriate if you have an infection at the injection site.

[SnazzyD]

I would ask about it because you don’t know if it is irritation that needs toning down or infection that definitely doesn’t.

[Rugger]

Have you got a Rheumatology helpline that you can ring? Injection site reactions are given as a common side-effect of Actemra. I've had this a couple of times in the last 7 months and it seemed to be under the skin, rather than on the surface. It eased in a few days.

I hope you get relief soon.

[Blackcatlover in reply to Rugger]

My first three injections were fine. These last two both were red and itchy. The first red area is fading and not itchy but this last one is redder and very itchy. Hopefully the next one will be better.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blackcatlover]

I think you should speak to the helpline before the next injection - in view of the increasing reaction.

[Blackcatlover in reply to PMRpro]

My doctor is in Germany now. Won’t be back till next week. I have an appointment with him on November 9. I hate to go to a clinic now with Covid numbers rising here. It is a common reaction but it’s the itch that I wish I could stop. I give just one more injection before I see him. I’ll try my thigh to see if that makes a difference. Thanks.