Hello, I am new to the forum. I have been reading this for a while and have finally joined. i am being treated for Lyme and am on plaquinil and chlorethemycin two times a day for the past 14 days. I flew to FL for a vacation and two days after we got here I developed a REALLY HORRIBLE ITCHY red, bumpy raised rash. I did go in teh ocean for about five minutes and then the rash developed the next day. My sister, also being treated for lyme and who is doctor at first thought it was something called swimmer's itch. But now she is thinking that may not be it at all and it could be the lyme dying off. i called my LLMD and he advised that I go off the ABX just in case it's an allergy to the ABX. my sister talked to her LLMD and he feels the rash is probably the lyme. he also said it could last a very long time. My question is, has anyone ever had an ITCHY rash during their treatment? if so how long does/did it last? it is so horribly uncomfortable!! thanks!!
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I had a few little itchy bumps from mino.
Also vertigo. Stopped that one asap.
I would follow my LLMD's advice.
I wouldn't want to risk an allergic reaction that
May get worse or swell your throat up, etc.
There are other meds available.
Stop the meds. See if the rash clears.
It may take a couple of days.
You may want to move this post to Medical to get more answers.
Hope you get to feel better soon.
(did your doc advise benadryl?)
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
my bumps/itching started when i was taking water therapy and then jucuzzi afterwards!
yes, those bumpy red pimple like things are the pits; ITCH galore, and mine would bleed after i itched a long time.
CORN STARCH BATHS are good and help itching. i believe there are a couple more hints in my newbie package links, found below.
read thru table of contents, TOC, ...it will show you where it is or if a short comment, it shows in TOC and not body of links!
Posted by sandiet (Member # 15916) on :
Hi, yes, itching has been one of my worst symptoms.
It always comes with my herxing episodes.
Mine will get bad for a few days, than slowly subside, until the next herx.
Gradually, with treatment, it does get less frequent and not so severe.
The baking soda baths do help,I hope you get releaf soon. take care, Sandie
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
Laura,
You could have also gotten something fom the ocean-water, considering how the rash started right after your water exposure.
Obviously you need to let your doctor know about the ocean-water exposure was a brief one-time event and then the immediate rash afterwards.
My mom and her family go to the beach in the US and in other countries and they have gotten weird rashes from the ocean on several occasions. There can be tiny organisms in the water that cause this.
So I am just saying don't assume it is your meds or your Lyme. Let your doctor know the details of what happened and the timing, and that way he/she can make a well-informed decision.
You should definitely take some pictures of the rash in case it goes away before you can see your doctor.
--
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
Do I have it right? You have been on plaquinil and chlorethemycin for lyme for a couple weeks, but only just now got this symptom? "chlorethemycin"- are you sure that's spelled the usual way? Or is it "clarithromycin
Did it have brand name 'biaxin'?--'biaxin' is a brand of clarithromycin, and is often included in treatment of lyme; I found it quite helpful... I did not think I got any rashes from the 'biaxin' directly; I did get rashes, but I think they were part of the "herxheimer" reaction, which I did not have as much problem with from clarithromycin, but which was still quite noticeable. The timing would seem about right for this to be what's happening in your case. DaveS Posted by Schelyne (Member # 18920) on :
I have had a rash like this twice in the past 2 years. All over itchy red bumps that spread to my entire body except hands, feet and face.
They had no idea what it was. Just go it again a few days ago, about 1 week after my diagnosis of Lyme. Could this be from the Lyme?
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
michele, mine was that way, and it still comes/goes when it choses too .
Posted by johnnylight (Member # 18518) on :
Hi, If it's the Lyme it will move around and won't be spread out. Mine would be on my shoulders one day and on my hips and thigh's the next day or so. Die off will look blotchy and flatter than a raised rash. My Doc said that a reaction to abx would be more spread out when i first got sick mine where extremely itchy and Hot i wanted to scratch my skin right off.
Peace
Posted by laura_from_nh (Member # 18885) on :
Hi all, thanks for all the responses. The rash developed about 12 hours after I went in the ocean. My dad was also in the ocean and has no rash. Like l said I was also on ABX for two weeks so there is no way to know for sure if it was a herx or swimmer's itch. The rash is now spreading. I went in the ocean tuesday around three. The rash originally was on my left arm near the bend of the arm on the inside and on my right torso about 12 inches by 6 inches wide. Today, five days later, it is still there and has spread. It now is on my right arm in the same location and on both inner thighs, but more severe on my right inner thigh. crazy itchy! i go to see my new LLMD tomorrow in NYC.
DaveS, yes, I was on the abx for 12 or 14 days (i'd have to check) before the rash appeared. And yes, I spelled the medication wrong, oops, it is clarithromycin. I was told it was similar to biaxin, but not biaxin.
I will be curious to see what my new LLMD thinks. If this is a herx, i suppose it is a good thing, although I'd love to trade it in for something less frustrating! the fun of recovery, i suppose. thanks all!
Posted by B. Hall (Member # 10783) on :
Aveeno Oatmeal baths help. There are Aveeno body wash and lotion as well. I use it daily. Hope this helps.