Itchy burning face, ears, neck : Just over a week... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Itchy burning face, ears, neck

HappyDiamonds profile image
18 Replies

Just over a week ago I started having watery diarrhoea. Have now spoken to my GP and taken a stool sample for analysis but thankfully it is now clearing up. Don't know whether its connected but the skin on my face is burning, very itchy especially when in bed or warm. Its on my face down my neck, behind ears as well as earlobes and its driving me mad. No apparent rash. Doctor prescribed citirizine but the most common side effect listed is diarrhoea (1 in 10) so I haven't taken any yet. I haven't changed anything and only use dermal 500 on my face, change my pillowcase every day and only use a towel on my face once and keep it separate.

Could this be medication or allergy? I mentioned it to the Nurse at the Hospital and she suggested the possibility that it is connected to the rise in my blood sugar although I am on a low carb diet.

It all seems to have happened since I started using the 2.5mg normal prednisolone tablets when I reduced from 20mg to 17.5mg as I need to take 3 x5mg dissolvable tablets and 1 x 2.5mg normal prednisolone (not coated). It could be just coincidence of course!

Now on 17.5 Pred, Adcal D3, Lanzoprazole 15mg. Thyroxine 75mg

Any ideas or help appreciated please.

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18 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Since accuracy really isn't that important - can you not halve the 5mg soluble tablets?

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toPMRpro

I only have one day left on 17.5mg as I should reduce to 15mg on Sunday so it will be interesting to see if things improve when taking just the 5mg again. Thank you.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply toHappyDiamonds

I often have stinging itches, mostly hands and feet but some nights all over my face and what feels like everywhere, and my bowel function is rarely normal. I do put it down to the drugs I am on - Coated Pred, Doxasosin, Atenolol, Tocilizumab . They all have these wondrous side effects. Unless they are intolerable I don’t bother reporting them to the doctor. The Doxasosin might have to go because of new urinary symptoms like cystitis and stomach pains, also some dizziness. All since I moved from 1 mg to 2 mgs. I wish someone knew of a BP med that worked and didn’t cause these miserable side effects. Sorry, I have used your post for another ranting moan, without adding value.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSheffieldJane

I've been on bisoprolol and losartan with absolutely no adverse effects ...

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toSheffieldJane

Thanks for your reply its always so reassuring when someone has the same side effects. I also have dry scaly itchy feet now too despite moisturising regularly. The doctor prescribed me some double base gel which I asked for after someone on the forum recommended it. I find it really strange that the minor problems get me down more than the serious ones.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toHappyDiamonds

Have you tried a foot cream containing urea? Much more effective than ordinary cream.

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toPMRpro

Thank you, just ordered online with delivery tomorrow.

Daffodilia profile image
Daffodilia in reply toHappyDiamonds

My grandson had it for eczema and I started using it when I had some problems - minor issues are annoying I agree - always seems to be something

Daffodilia profile image
Daffodilia

I use Avenocream for itchy skin

Hiibilly profile image
Hiibilly in reply toDaffodilia

Hi I just wondered if you had spent any time outside recently as it sounds very much like sunsensivity. I have suffered with this on and off since 2010 when had a hip replaced. Winter sun was always the worst. An antihistamine cold compress and lots of dermol and yes it always came with a tummy upset. This may not be your condition but worth a thought my worst attack was a bright Feb morning. Best wishes

Hiibilly profile image
Hiibilly in reply toHiibilly

I meant to say that Ibeprofen is the big trigger for me but many antibiotics are also bad.

Daffodilia profile image
Daffodilia in reply toHiibilly

Hi - yes I have been sensitive to sunlight but this is not the case now - I am in the UK - it started in October 2019 - had antihistamine and Betnovate from Doctor and then use Aveenocream to keep it under control - not much sun here at the moment and certainly too cold to reveal skin to it!

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toDaffodilia

Thank you for the recommendation I see it has a lot of 5 stars on Amazon.

PMRnewbie2017 profile image
PMRnewbie2017

If you are in the UK, I wonder are you allergic to the dye in the 2.5mg tabs. Yellow dyes are well known as potential allergens. The 5mg ones are white. Am intrigued as to why you gave been given soluble pred as they are fairly expensive and used to be reserved for children or those with swallowing problems.

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toPMRnewbie2017

I do suspect the 2.5mg tablets are the culprit but its so easy to blame Pred for everything! I am on the soluble ones (5mg) because I do have swallowing problems due to a partly dysfunctional oesophagus. Fortunately it gets cheaper for my Surgery as I taper but more difficult for me when I have to start using 1mg - lots and lots of Greek Yoghurt to get them down.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toHappyDiamonds

What about 5mg tabs and a pill cutter? They don't have yellow rubbish in them! WHY do they use yellow? It is such a common allergy ...

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply toHappyDiamonds

Did your oesophageal problems begin with your PMR/Pred. Mine definitely did. I feel as if my throat is narrower, I have a proneness to choking and the occasional oesophageal spasm ( painful and scary). I was going to have an endoscopy before the Pandemic. The problems seem less acute on the lower Pred doses.

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply toSheffieldJane

No Pred no guilty this time. I had an oesophageal manometry 5 years ago and was diagnosed with muscle problems (peristalisis ?) which was causing swallowing problems. It was a horrible procedure where they put a tube up my nose, down throat to stomach 72cm long and removed it half a centimetre at a time whilst recording on a computer. I also had to swallow a dry piece of bread and this didn't go anywhere, just stuck in the oesophagus. Ironically my GP told me to put my Thyroxine tablets in a dry piece of bread to assist swallowing when I went to him with swallowing difficulties - the mind boggles. Sorry that you are having spasms they really are awful.

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