I have Gca and have now been prescribed weekly injections of Tocilizumab (self administered). Lately I have found that should I be exposed to sunlight I have scabs appear on my face, is this a common symptom when using Toc ? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Michael
experience with Tocilizumab: I have Gca and have... - PMRGCAuk
experience with Tocilizumab
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Dermatological effects have been recorded with TCZ - everyone will be different, I have never had a problem I can identify.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....
In RA there are already dermatological problems so it does confuse the issue but I don't know of any in PMR/GCA. So yes, it is perfectly possible the TCZ is to blame and it is probably worth speaking to your rheumy team
I haven't had it, but I was warned before starting toc that I should be very careful about sun exposure as the effects can be more extreme. I was advised to take all the usual precautions, sunblock, hat, etc, only more so!
Interesting - never mentioned here and we do have a lot of sun!!!!! I don't go out in full sun if I can help it - far too hot!!
Exactly the same!! Weekly injections came up with scaby red rash on both sides of nose. Thought allergy to sunglasses initially. They come and go reacting to sunlight!! Now I know what they are! Dr didn't! I am never in full sun avoid where can.
I didn’t notice that at all with TCZ. However, I definitely couldn’t be in the sun with prednisone. I would get unsightly dark spots on my skin.
I've been injecting tcz for nearly 4 years now, and never had an issue with the sun. I live in one of the sunniest places in the world, Western Australia. But we all react differently.