Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I know this is a minor concern compared to the pain RA can cause but I'm just wondering if anyone has any issue's with RA or the med's for RA & your skin?
I'm on 7.5mg of MTX & 100mg of Plaquenil. I've suffered from sebhorric dermititis for a while now but it really flared up after being on MTX. I'm just assuming that since MTX lowers the immune system then whatever else you have that has anything to do with your immune system will flare up more aggressively.
Also, now that I"m taking the Plaquenil I got a case of Perioral Dermatitis as well. Constant itchy, red bumps around the nose/mouth. And what looks like hives on the cheeks every once in a while.
I've never had skin issue's other than the seborrhic dermatitis but that was mild until the start of the RA drugs.
If anyone else is going through the skin issue's & have found any remedies please share, it would greatly appreciated.
I'm on 7.5mg of MTX & 100mg of Plaquenil. I've suffered from sebhorric dermititis for a while now but it really flared up after being on MTX. I'm just assuming that since MTX lowers the immune system then whatever else you have that has anything to do with your immune system will flare up more aggressively.
Also, now that I"m taking the Plaquenil I got a case of Perioral Dermatitis as well. Constant itchy, red bumps around the nose/mouth. And what looks like hives on the cheeks every once in a while.
I've never had skin issue's other than the seborrhic dermatitis but that was mild until the start of the RA drugs.
If anyone else is going through the skin issue's & have found any remedies please share, it would greatly appreciated.
I'd see a dermatologist. It may be a matter of occasionally putting on a topical where you have the greatest issue. With the immune system cranked down, yes, I can see that external factors could contribute.
Recognize this as a sign that you need to avoid stores/school or take precautions from getting sick since you could get it easier than normal.
The only thing worse would be not taking the chemo drugs, as they help with the RA so well.
And its not environmental. Nothing has change in terms of soaps and such in the last 3 months to show an increase in the activity. The only thing that has changed is im not taking any RA drugs.
I hear ya buddy! Since my original post I've also noticed I may have this Tinea versicolor as well! I understand that the skin lives with certain bacteria & yeast in a balance that can be easily disturbed especially with anti inflammatory & steroid type medication wreak havoc on our skin but it's just driving me nuts!
But I guess I should be thankful that my stiffness & pain is almost non-existent.