Itchy rash related to warfarin?

A bit off-topic, but I thought maybe someone here might know about this.

My husband developed a flakey, itchy rash on areas throughout his body about a year and a half ago. It seemed to slowly spread to the various areas. He first saw our family doctor, who gave him several samples of Dove body wash and didn't have other suggestions.

I switched our detergent to 'free and clear' just to be safe. He didn't use any new or different product that would cause the problem. But---the rash continues to flare up, especially bad in summer when he perspires more, but it's nasty now, too, when he wears layers of clothes. It must feel miserable.

He then recently saw a dermatologist, who took skin samples. He doesn't have the results yet, though the dermatologist phoned yesterday and suggested he try a medicated (prescription) cream. I took the message and she'll phone again this coming week to talk to my husband directly.

My husband is convinced the rash is related to taking warfarin. I really have no idea, but since he was on it for 3 years, to me, it seems odd it developed somewhat later.

Hopefully, the skin samples will give some answers, but from what I was told yesterday, I'm guessing not. The dermatologist seems confident the cream will solve the problem; my husband isn't so sure. I'm hoping he'll give it a try, at least, but he feels sure the rash is related to the warfarin. Hmm...who knows?

Anyway.....does this sound at all familiar to anyone? The only itchy skin rash I've dealt with was contact dermatitis on my fingers many years ago, due to always wearing a wedding ring (I now only wear my ring occasionally). I had light treatments which did a good job clearing it up.

I hope I'm not making anyone feel itchy and scratchy! Just wondering if anyone has dealt with anything similar. Thanks!

Yes, it can be a response to an allergic reaction. Do get it checked out.

/www.drugs.com/answers/warfarin-itchy-skin-over-body-side-effects-559242.html

By the way, I took Amoxicillin for years and then developed an allergy to it....a rash...and I can't take this anymore.

Sherrine

Thank you, Susie, Sherrine, Lj, and Rockon. I really do appreciate the input and suggestions.

Well, the dermatologist phoned back today and told hubby that the skin sample does confirm that the rash is medication related! Since he takes no other meds except a daily baby aspirin, this narrows things down a lot!!

The next step is to check in with his cardiologist soon, and since he was due to do that anyway, this works out nicely. Hoping and praying that they can find something similar to the warfarin which wouldn't cause the rash.

He and I are both relieved that they had taken the skin sample and that it showed the rash to definitely be related to the meds. Always a "next step," though, isn't there?? Well, step-by-step is the way to go now, I guess.

Thank you all very much again! Lots of good info to chew on.

Luvzminis, at least now the puzzle is solved. My experience with my husband, no, they often leave out parts of the story, lol. Hopefully, the cardiologist can come up with another medication for him that will agree with him. Mine takes it because of a history of blood clots in his leg. I had one hit my lungs & ended up with one of the filters. Because I am at risk of falling they did not want me on a blood thinner.

Let us know what his dr decides.

Good to see you here, almost medfree! I did read your other post and am sorry to hear you're dealing with those issues. As always, Sherrine gave great advice.

Thank you for the info regarding your husband's reaction to Tegretol. It's always strange when those allergic reactions pop up. I'm glad they found what was causing the problem--such a huge step in fighting the battle!

It sounds like my husband is considering returning to the dermatologist and asking about further testing. So far, even going off the meds temporarily, there is very little, if any, change. So maybe, Susie, the puzzle isn't solved after all. I don't know why, though, they connected the skin sample to a medication reaction--haven't gotten the specifics on that one.

I talked to a nurse there today, as the doctor was gone for the day, and she said she thought they could probably look into further tests. We'll see.

Thanks again, and hope your husband is doing much better a.m.!

I developed a rash from my lisinipril after taking it for years for my blood pressure. My pharmacist is the one who helped me figure it out. We can suddenly become allergic to anything I guess.

The rash went away when I changed medications.

Luvzminis, have you noticed the times when Rockon mentioned that NSAIDs can trigger mast cells? Aspirin is an NSAID. Also mentioned having used aspirin and it triggering asthma ....once upon a time posted a video and Dr Theoharides mentioned aspirin being useful, in spite of problems, and sometimes worth the effort to desensitize to it. I just checked and there is a treatment review of aspirin by Rockon, but screen name "Blank" at her other forum. "Blank" wrote about trying to desensitize to it gradually. Funny, too.

I enjoy your contributions here, and hope this info is somehow helpful...but if it is, the credit of course goes to Rockon.

Post Edited (wayup) : 1/22/2018 2:59:53 PM (GMT-7)

wayup--Yes! That's so interesting about NSAIDS. And my husband is one who, before he had to start the baby aspirin, never even took anything after major surgery--he just toughed through it. He still is that way.
So, that baby aspirin he now takes with the warfarin is definitely suspect. He just checked with his cardiologist again, and will continue a bit longer off the baby aspirin.

almost medfree: I think a detox diet is a great idea, too. It's strange how each of us are so different as to how we react to 'everyday' foods.

I don't think my hubby has had any issues with sun sensitivity. I'll bring that up to him, as maybe he should be watching that more closely. Thanks for that heads up!