Rash as side effect of Sulfasalazine

jelliebabe
jelliebabe Member Posts: 6
edited 8. May 2010, 12:03 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi Guys!

I took Sulfasalazine for approx 6 weeks. I then got very itchy and my GP told me to stop immediately and prescribed antihistamines. I did stop and the anti histamines worked so well I only took them until the following Saturday (5 days).

Last Sunday I broke out in a rash (re-started the antihistamines straight away) was worse on Monday (bank holiday) went to see GP on Tuesday morning(rash very ANGRY RED and Itchy by now!). I have now been taking steroids applying steroid cream (and taking the antihistamines) since Tuesday and GP said if I got any worse he would send me to hospital!!! It did get a tiny bit worse but is getting better mostly (still developing in parts). Particularly lovely on the soles of my feet and in my mouth!

Has anyone else had this sort of reaction and how long did it take for the rash to go away...? ( I know we are all different) Buuuuut its sooooooo Itchy its driving me demented...? HELP! :oops: :cry:

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Jelliebabe,

    Welcome from me as well but sorry you have the arthritis.

    I can't help you but i would either ring your gp or NHS Direct ( 08454647 ) or talk to a pharmacist cus it might be and if so you would have to stop taking it maybe.

    I do hope it gets sorted for you and nice to meet you. Cris x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,312
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi jelliebabe

    i LOVE the name :wink:

    You arent taking the sulfa still are you??

    I hope not.

    You may need to return to the Gp (or out of hours) if the rash doesn't subside. I had an allergy which was well-itchy a few years back and had to have oral sterooids two steroid jabs and different antiHs before it went. It was awful. Just be careful and dont let it get worse.

    As Cris said there is always NHS direct for advice??

    Hope you are ok today

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I have been on sulph for years with no ill-effects but this sounds severe - I'm on it to a) help my arthritis and b) keep psoriasis at bay, so if it's causing such a rash . . . get thee to your docs, or ring NHS Direct, this doesn't sound right at all. In your mouth? Nuh-uh. Stop taking them (what was the dose anyway?) until you've spoken to someone who knows more than me. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • carolanivey
    carolanivey Member Posts: 64
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    jelliebabe,

    Sounds like you're severely allergic to sulfa-based drugs (of which there are many) so I hope you're not still taking the sulfasalazine. I can't take a whole category of antibiotics because of my allergy, nor can I take some NSAIDs like Celebrex, because it too is sulfa based.

    You can develop an allergy at any time, even if you've successfully taken something in the past. Hope you're feeling better!
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi
    Aftetr increasing dose of Sulpha I came out in a terrible rash on my nack face and hands. I was given anti histamines. I didnt stop taking the sulpha becasue Iw asnt told to but then it got worse and then my rash got wrse and had a sun burnt type face and my nose split and swelled up along with my hands. I was also taking celebrex which i didnt realsie has sulpha in too and since not taking the celebrex i havent had a problem. I am still taking the sulpha and so far so good. I just felt that so long as it wasnt too bad my body would get use to it and i think it has. (not recommending this though).
  • jelliebabe
    jelliebabe Member Posts: 6
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Sorry guys! I wasnt very clear!

    I did STOP taking the Sulfasalazine straight away (about 10-11 days ago now!) I had just got up to taking four a day.

    It looked exactly like sunburn! I am even "peeling" now where the rash is going away. The rash is still quite active on my lower arms and my knees but still I am feeling much better today. Last day of steroids though... We will see what tomorrow holds!

    Thanks for the messages guys X
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    jelliebabe wrote:
    Sorry guys! I wasnt very clear!

    I did STOP taking the Sulfasalazine straight away (about 10-11 days ago now!) I had just got up to taking four a day.

    It looked exactly like sunburn! I am even "peeling" now where the rash is going away. The rash is still quite active on my lower arms and my knees but still I am feeling much better today. Last day of steroids though... We will see what tomorrow holds!

    Thanks for the messages guys X


    Hi, this was exactly what i had. If it wasnt for the fact it wasnt sunny you would have thought i'd been sunbathing all day without suncream!

Categories