worsening rash face ears elbows

[Jrob14]

hi husband has MCTD currently taking prednisolone mycophenolate and Hydroxychlorquine for the last 3 months, improved slightly but now the rash round his eyes has worsened and the skin has really thickened. Rash also now beginning on ear which is very painful-any ideas for treatment please, is steroid cream the only option? Thanks so much

[YT02]

A worrying time for you and your husband. MCTD diagnosis will mean an overlap of many symptoms! It can take many months for the body to accept medications and all sorts of interactions can occur. Steroids are frequently used.

I can only repeat medical advice to me - keep out of the sun (as medication interacts with rays), and always contact the 24/7 hospital telephone helpline with any concerns. Every part of the country is different. Hopefully you too, have access in this way to the lead consultant's department and the specialist nurses for advice and support.

I know from your previous posts you have nursing experience - trust your instincts and contact the hospital (or gp) or go up A&E if you are at all concerned about your husband.

It does take some time but treatments/medications do kick in and help improve life's balance.

[Clangerscat]

Hi Jrob, have you got this checked out by your doctor? I had to come off Mycophenolate because of a reaction which caused a facial rash. Might not be the Same thing at all but worth getting it looked at.

[Pomoc]

Sorry to hear about this. My wife had serious rashes and skin thickening for first few months of mycophenolate, plus other symptoms like sleep loss. The latter persists, but the skin did settle down with standard-type creams/Epimax.

[Lyndabickley]

Hi

The rash could be telangectasia. I have had scleroderma for 20+ years and developed these on my face. Apparently they occur elsewhere like the gut too. Early on I had several bouts of electrolysis which helped enormously but haven’t bothered lately. You can also use camouflage makeup which I heard recently can be prescribed. Hope this is helpful