Rashes and medication.

I'm on remicade, entocort, and just started rectal meds last night. I have a big rash on my forearm that I got earlier and now I have it on the inside of my bicep. Starts as a bad itch and then turns into purplish/redish streaks. How normal is this or how bad does a rash need to be before it's considered a problem? Mine looks pretty bad, Is it necessary to call my doctor?

Interesting, would a delayed reaction with a rash to remicade be a dangerous thing? Thank you for the comment

An allergic skin reaction to a medication would be all over your entire body, not just on your forearm. I would check with your primary care physician (family doctor) but would not consider it an emergency.

Skin rashes are somewhat common with uc patients, especially auto immune skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, etc). A number of uc medications also mention rashes as possible side effects (along with diarrhea, blood in poop, and other things uc can cause). Take a look at pictures of eczema online, it sounds like it. Eczema is a raised rash. I had it in my upper arms and ribcage. It was treat with a steroid cream and went away. An over the counter cortisol cream 1.1 percent might be sufficient, if applied for several weeks. Having a doctor look at it may be helpful.

You need to contact your doc immediately....take a pic as well.

how it is now doesnt mean it will be limited the next time.

Curious if you were out in the sun, is it your left arm that might be exposed while driving?

What other supplements are you taking?

Call your GI. Keep us posted.
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You cannot post images on healingwell. Best you can do is put the photo on a photo sharing website, and post the link/url here. We're not doctors, so it might be better to just share the photo with someone who is.

You can get contact dermatitis as well, a rash that's the result of an allergic reaction to something your skin contacts. Poison ivy is such a reaction (unlikely in your case) but many other things can cause rashes in the same way: a new body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, lotion, perfume, cologne, and other things that contact your skin and stay there. Any changes in those products or perhaps a chemical you might have spilled on your forearm?

I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow morning. I have an infusion on Saturday. Is it typically safe or unsafe to have an infusion with a rash present?

Glad you're seeing the doctor tomorrow.

Has the rash changed at all? Is it on the arm where the IV for the infusion was inserted?

An allergic reaction doesn't necessarily affect the whole body. I'm allergic to many meds. One reaction was for my feet, only my feet, to itch. If I'd continued taking that drug, the itching may have expanded to more of my body but the initial reaction was localized.

Penicillin gave me a rash on my chest only. The hives from cephalosporins were on my upper torso only.

Anyway, speak to your doctor. If you do the infusion, ask for steroids/Benadryl up front to counteract possible reactions and tell them that you have a rash and there's a possibility that it's due to Remicade.

Also, pay attention to your body during the infusion. Watch for itchy mouth/tongue (got that during an iron infusion), swollen tongue, throat feeling funny, even nausea. Fortunately, the infusion folks are well-trained to deal with allergic reactions. You just have to tell them no matter how minor it seems.

How are the enemas going?