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What Causes Itchy Rash While On Prednisone And Colchicine?
Question: Over the last couple of weeks I suffered an acute flare up of a gout condition with which I've been dealing on and off over the last few years. This time it was concentrated on the knuckle of my right index finger. I've been taking 0.6 mg colchicine tablets as needed (usually twice a day) and the condition eases usually within a couple days. this time the inflammation lingered about 2 weeks so I consulted a doctor who advised I continue the use of the colchicine tablets and he additionally prescribed 10 mg prednisone tablets to be taken 1 a day for 5 days only. I complied and while the inflammation is not completely gone it seems to have been of some help. However, 3 days after the last dose of the prednisone I broke out in an itchy case of a rash (or hives) up and down my left arm. I've used the Aveeno powder treatment in addition to an hydrocortisone cream but there does not seem to be much improvement. In addition the lymph node in my left armpit aches a bit. So what should my next step be?.
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Brief Answer:
oral antihistamines, if no resolution may need another steroid course
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The next step that you may want to consider would be the use of oral antihistamines such as benadryl, cetirizine along with the steroid cream (though may need a stronger cream)
These should be available over the counter. They would dampen the allergic response.
They should be taken regularly for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Benadryl can be used as 25 to 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Cetirizine is once daily.
IF the oral antihistamines are not enough, your doctor may need to give you another course of prednisolone.
The fact that the symptoms have occurred in the left arm implies that they may be related to an agent that came into contact with this area.
This could be in the form of a cream/plant/soap/animal dander
Most of these however should cause a more wide spread reaction.
The lymph node increase is part of the body's inflammatory response to the allergic reaction and would gradually decrease after the reaction has resolved.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
oral antihistamines, if no resolution may need another steroid course
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The next step that you may want to consider would be the use of oral antihistamines such as benadryl, cetirizine along with the steroid cream (though may need a stronger cream)
These should be available over the counter. They would dampen the allergic response.
They should be taken regularly for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Benadryl can be used as 25 to 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Cetirizine is once daily.
IF the oral antihistamines are not enough, your doctor may need to give you another course of prednisolone.
The fact that the symptoms have occurred in the left arm implies that they may be related to an agent that came into contact with this area.
This could be in the form of a cream/plant/soap/animal dander
Most of these however should cause a more wide spread reaction.
The lymph node increase is part of the body's inflammatory response to the allergic reaction and would gradually decrease after the reaction has resolved.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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