Rash

[dreamintwilight]

Here's a picture of the rash I developed yesterday that looks like heat rash to me.

I started itching yesterday evening around 5 pm or so thinking it was just dry skin. I took a shower and noticed my torso had become all red and blotchy. So, when I got out of the shower I put on Eveeno lotion thinking it would calm down the dry skin. But it didn't go away.

So, I looked up heat rash thinking that's what it was since we went to a concert the night before the rash appeared. It was really hot and we were sweating for about 3 hours. We got home late, so I didn't get a chance to shower until the next day when I noticed I had the rash.

So, I washed off my torso and let it air dry because I read heat rash shouldn't have any creams or lotions on it. It seemed to lessen once I washed the area, but it would still get itchy and red in the places my skin folded depending on if I was sitting, standing, or laying down. It was a mix of red blotches with pinpoints. The skin was warm to the touch, but not raised really.

This morning it was significantly less red and barely noticeable at all. Blotches are gone and only a few scattered pinpoints remain on my sides. I called my GI's office today and the nurse talked to another doc (mine is out of town) to see if he thought it might be an allergic reaction to the Imuran. He said he didn't think so since it seemed to get better today and is localized to the one spot. They recommended I take something like Benadryl or Claritin or a topical hydrocortisone cream. I'm supposed to call back Friday to update them on the rash, unless it gets worse before then.

I've never had a rash in my life, so I have no idea what a heat rash looks like compared to an allergic reaction or any other type of rash. I saw pictures of heat rash and it looks similar to what I have. And I'm inclined to believe it is that based on the previous night's experiences with the heat and sweating.

Anyone have something similar whether it was Crohn's-related or not?

 

[mikeyarmo]

Hi Marisa,

The rash looks similar to one I have had in the past. I think I used to get that rash when I was younger and if I was swimming in a beach. If I did not wash the sand off of me well enough after a while that rash would develop and last for several days.

Obviously I can not tell if it is the same rash from the pictures alone and yours developed from a different source, however if the rash is continuing to improve it likely is not something related to Crohn's/your medication. It is best to be careful about these things so it was good to call your GI, but hopefully it will improve more by the end of the week.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Thanks, Mike! I agree about being careful with these things. I also was due for my Humira shot today and wanted to make sure it was still alright to inject into my stomach (which it was).

The Benadryl seems to be helping, so hopefully by Friday it'll be gone.

 

[InkyStinky]

Hey Marisa - Geoff (the new nursing grad, you know ) thinks this sounds a lot like heat rash.... But he was also wondering if you'd switched laundry detergents recently - he gets a rash kind of like yours from detergents that aren't the free and clear kind. His is usually around his neck where his collar rubs, not on his torso, though.

Glad the benadryl is helping!

 

[dreamintwilight]

Nope, nothing new detergent wise or anything. Only thing different was the sweating Sunday night before it developed. I had no idea the building we were in was going to be so hot and I had on long pants and a sweater-like material short-sleeved shirt. It was like a sauna for 3 hours. Guess I'll have to be more careful!

Thanks Sabrina and Geoff for your input!

 

[dreamintwilight]

Benadryl is working. It was barely visible this morning, so I took one more dose today and most of the leftover faded dots went away.

I'll probably take one more dose tonight before bed, and hopefully tomorrow I won't need anymore.

 

[Nicole]

Hi Marisa,

As you might know, I live in a pretty hot country, Trinidad. I have been experiencing skin irritation quite a bit lately. I suspect it's caused by my own perspiration. Once I break out in a sweat I begin to itch. I use a sulfur ointment for 2 days and the irritation clears up.

I also seldom suffer from chronic urticaria, mostly from pollen and some eateries but I doubt my recent break outs have anything to do with allergies.

Keep an eye out for recurrences.

 

[David in Seattle]

he gets a rash kind of like yours from detergents that aren't the free and clear kind

A lot of people have that problem. Why the heck do they have to put unnecessary "fragrance" and crap in things?!? I don't get a rash, I just hate the STENCH!

Maybe they do it so they can charge you MORE for the unscented variety!

Glad you're feeling better, Marisa.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Thanks, Nicole and David! It's funny I break out with a rash from sweat. I moved from Florida to Chicago 2 years ago to get away from the heat and humidity and then this happens, haha.

That was before my Crohn's was activated though, so perhaps my body is just more sensitive to things now. I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for anything similar happening again. And I guess I'll have to make sure if I ever do anything again that involves sweating I should at least rinse off in the shower afterwards.

I did once break out in a similar rash when I was a lot younger that could never be figured out exactly, but the doc suggested it was from a change in detergents or soaps (even though we could pinpoint no change in products). I think it could have been from wearing a shirt I bought from the store that I didn't wash before wearing it. Sometimes they have chemicals on them from when they were manufactured. Now I always wash anything from the store before I wear it!

I think I'm definitely going to get some kind of cortisone cream or look for that sulfur ointment for any future breakouts. Benadryl makes me too loopy, haha!

 

[Timbo]

could be an allergy / side effect to Pentasa (mesalazine)

Late reply but just been searching and came across your post.

I've been getting itching, rash and hives (like skin writing at times) mainly around mid area inc top of legs up to ribs, on off for a while over the past few years and mentioned it to my consultant as I bruise with it (may be a side effect of the scratching). He didn't think it was connected but there are two factors I am going to raise when I see him next month...

1. This appears to be a documented side effect of Magazine (I take 2mg/day Pentasa PR granules) and have had swolled face a lips previously also a side effect.

2. The swelling and raised area that comes with the rash appears to be an inflammatory response and psoriosis, RA and skin conditions run in my mothers family (my cousin on her side also has Crohn's so the is a def link).


Are you on Pentasa (Mesalazine) as it could be allergy to it?

 

[raindrop]

I have similar rashes and think mine is related to Humira. You can have a biopsy to see if it's a drug induced rash.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Mine only comes on when I'm hot. So, I've realized I'm just more susceptible to heat, which is one of the side effects of being on Imuran. I also have a hard time sweating, so that kind of exacerbates the heat sensitivity.

 

[Keona]

I remember you posting similar pictures before Marisa. Do you remember? You had a very similar rash all over your torso..

hmm...

 

[dreamintwilight]

Yup, Wendy. That's what I was referring to I actually haven't had it show up since last summer, so that's good.

Oh, and I didn't answer your question before, Timbo. No, I am not on Pentasa. Just Humira and Imuran.