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Itchy scabs on scalp/arms, Remicade

Hello,
I have Crohn's disease and have been on Remicade since December 2013. I have developed itchy bumps which have turned into blisters, scabs and red scaly marks on my scalp and arms. Some of it looks like eczema, but I am 56 and have never had eczema in my life. I called my GI doctor, who told me to call my primary care physician. I saw my PCP on Friday and he prescribed Cephalexin and took some blood. The antibiotic hasn't helped at all. I don't have a dermatologist, and to see one I would have to wait weeks for an appoinment as a new patient.
Has this happened to any of you, and if so, was there a treatment that worked? The itching is driving me mad.

Thanks.
 

theOcean

Moderator
Remicade can cause eczema or psoriasis, so even if you don't have a history of it, that doesn't mean you can't have it now. I got really bad eczema while I was still on Remicade.

Ask for pre-meds like steroids and antihistamines at your next infusion, and maybe call your GI and request an antibody test as well to see if that's a potential reaction to the Remicade.
 

theOcean

Moderator
For the eczema itself: if it's bad and turned into weeping eczema, you likely need hydrocortisone creams and you're probably better off in the hands of a dermatologist. If it's still at the scabby/itchy stage, you can probably treat it with applying good moisturizers multiple times a day or using tea tree oil on it. Avoid hot water and soap as this aggravates it, as well as touching it or using any rough materials (towels) on it.
 
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