itchy, rash, and psoriasis

[Maggie1313]

Reducing from 1&1/2mg to 1mg for last 3weeks. I have always been troubled with psoriasis, and my rheumatologist said I can expect my psoriasis to flare while I am reducing of my steroids, but I have now developed a a rash in different parts of my body like wee blisters or hives and they are so itchy is this a symptom of coming down of steroids and is there anything I can use to relieve the pain and itching. Also in last 2 weeks my top half of both arms are achy left one worse then the right, I can still lift them with no great discomfort just a little achy, I had been doing exercises think they made them worse. Don’t want to increase dose back up if don’t need to. Please can you give me any advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has a doctor seen the rash? It needs to be diagnosed really. Where is it - could it be shingles?

It is all very well refusing to increase the pred but you aren't heading relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose. Maybe you have reached it. If you go too low and the PMR is still active then over time the inflammation is likely to build up and over time you could end up back where you started and needing considerably more pred to get it under control.

[Maggie1313 in reply to PMRpro]

Hello PMRpro have been to the Dr and it’s not shingles the dermatologist, give me steroid creams for the psoriasis, but did not work. Should I wait one more week to see if arms settle down and if don’t what would you recommend I do. Thank you for your help

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maggie1313]

I wouldn't rule out slightly more pred - but that is me, quality of life is all. Are you using the creams consistently - I gather it may need several times a day to get things under control. But if that isn't working, you need more input from the dermy.

As you had a history of psoriasis - was it never considered it possibly wasn't PMR but psoriatic arthritis?

[Maggie1313 in reply to PMRpro]

On my last visit to rheumatologist he said he would like me of the steroids so he could test to see if I had Psoriatic Arthritis . Don’t know why he can’t treat me with Methotrexate or something similar. Iam due to see him again in 4wk all been well will keep you updated Thank you so much 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maggie1313]

How was he going to test? I didn't think there WAS a test - and the MTX bit was what I was thinking.

[Maggie1313 in reply to PMRpro]

🤞🥴thank you

[AtopicGuy in reply to Maggie1313]

Not all creams/ointments for psoriasis/eczema are the same. Steroids vary in potency, even if they both say "0.1%" on the tube. See the link below:

decodingtopicalsteroidwithd...

Class 7 cream has no effect on my eczema, but Class 5 is like a miracle drug. Once the rash flare is under control, I use less cream, but dilute it with E45 emollient to help it spread.

[Maggie1313 in reply to AtopicGuy]

Thank you so much

[SheffieldJane]

Has your doctor explored Psoriatic Arthritis with you? This would indicate that Methotrexate or similar is indicated. It is a disease that can present in a similar way to PMR.

[Maggie1313 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you SJ I have just replied to PMR pro reference the dermatologist thanking it was Psoriatic Arthritis ???🥴will keep you both updated when I have next appointment with him. Thank you so much

[SheffieldJane in reply to Maggie1313]

Good luck! PMRPro and I must have had the same thought at the same moment. This makes me feel I might be on the right track. My Rheumatologist explored it with me but my “Psoriasis “ turned out to be Athlete’s foot that had gone crazy - diagnosed by a Podiatrist with a sample taken. Best to rule it out though.

[Maggie1313 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you 😊

[Janstr]

My husband had a reaction to the first Covid vaccine & ended up itchy with a rash all over . He stopped using soap & aqueous cream instead. He was also told by a skin specialist to stop showering every dat

[Maggie1313 in reply to Janstr]

Thank you

[PinkertonCat in reply to Janstr]

CoViD followed by horrific hives twice now.. Hives will come and go for a few weeks. I don’t go anywhere without antihistamines now.

[Maggie1313 in reply to PinkertonCat]

Thank you

[Daffodilia]

Think you should see GP

[Maggie1313 in reply to Daffodilia]

Thank you

[Fries]

I m not sure I had the same thing. However, one of my 4 ventures to A&E involved a very bad rash that started down my arms, reached my trunk area and later almost all over. This was in the earlier stages of my diagnosis of Probable GCA and PMR. Because at the time I was never sure what was a flare or GCA symptom. Not knowing much about GCA other than that I had googled. I felt I needed to go to A&E. It was during a hot period in September? this year. This may be helpful to you but if not, maybe somebody else?

Good luck to you. Take care.

[Fries in reply to Fries]

A&E prescribed Piriton (or similar). I took it for a week and the rash gradually improved and was gone at the end of the week.

[Fries in reply to Fries]

Oh yes, I thought about a trigger when I got home. I used to have prickly heat when I was younger, so it may have been that?

[Fries]

Sorry, I keep on thinking of things to say - I am now diagnosed with definitely PMR but they cannot rule out GCA. Will keep you posted. My steroids have yo yo d. Currently on 20 mg until 13 Nov when I see the Rheumatologist. (Previously I got down to 17.5 mg, then one symptom (double vision) sent me up to 40 mg again. I had to start all over again. Hopefully, still going the right way by then. At present, feeling well, Far more positive. Fingers tightly crossed.

[Fries]

I have also had an itchy back at times - also itchy neck. I have tried moisturising cream, paracetamol, a bit of hydro cortisone, which relieved it for a while.

If that doesn't work - ezcema creams??? Consult pharmacist/doctor??

[Maggie1313 in reply to Fries]

Thank you

[Pesterfootbridge]

I had a similar experience when getting down to those low doses of steroid. I found the e45 anti itch cream helped. Eventually got to see a good dermatologist who prescribed Dermol 500 body wash which you can shower with or just rub on. Also prescribed Balneum cream which I have used successfully every day for the last 2 years or more.

[Maggie1313 in reply to Pesterfootbridge]

Thank you