Haven't posted before but have had AS for about 18years. to cut a long story short, I am not on any medication at the moment but was on cortizone and NSAIDS for about 7 years. I just recently developed a rash on my shins that is very itchy. Also the skin on my arms is very thin and also has some small itchy type bumps. Do you think this could be a result of having AS?

what does your rash look like?

i had a "rash" like that, very bad summer 2006, not quite as bad summer 2007. it was itchy bumps that came and went and came and went for a few months, each outbreak a little better each time, mostly on shins, also a little on calves, thighs, even a few on back of hands.

the rash kinda looked like lots of bug bites, but the dermatologist and i were able to rule out that possibility.

a combination of topical antihistamine cream and hydrocortisone cream helped. but ice on the rash helped the very most at bringing down the inflammation and getting rid of the itch. incredibly itchy though; that i remember!

the dermatologist never could figure it out. even a biopsy of a bump came back rather inconclusive: either some allergic response or autoimmune response.

the rheumy that dx'ed me was not too surprised. said those kinds of rashes were fairly "normal" for people with autoimmune disease. feels like if we can treat the inflammatory arthritis, these other secondary symptoms will get better as well.

does any of this sound familiar to you? or is yours different? have you seen a dermatologist or your rheumy about it?

Legg - try checking this out :-

ERYTHEMA NODOSUM
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a rash that occurs in a number of different conditions. It almost always occurs on the front of the lower legs (over the shin bones) but can ... Potential side effects of cortisone-like medicines are increased ...
apma-nc.com/httpdocs/PatientEducation/erythema_nodosum.htm - Similar

Eczema - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on head and scalp, neck, .... However, immunosuppressants can cause side effects on the body. .... even cortisone treatments and immunomodulation may often have only minor effects on what may be a ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema -

Legg - my guess is that it's a reponse to long term use of corticosteriods which causes thinning of the skin and can cause itchy rashes.

sue.. i have similar rash every year. check out sun poisoning its quite common for us northerners i guess. i believe thats exactly my prob. have mentioned rash to docs several times in the past = ignored = never figured out problem = looked it up myself = sun poisoning.

Thank you everyone just having you respond makes me feel much better and not so panicky. I dont have a doctor, rheumy or dermatologist. The specialist physician that originally diagnosed me has retired many years ago and when I asked for my file to be sent to my GP it somehow got lost. It's really different here in South Africa. I don't even know if there are many AS sufferers here.
I just don't understand that after having AS for so many years now suddenly I get this leg rash. I only take an anti-inflamitory called Myprodol or GenPain. I haven't even heard of the meds you guys take.

Sue22 its sounds just like yours.

hi sunny!

though it was in the summer, wasn't in the sun much (i work too much! ) and i looked at those rashes on google, doesn't seem to be that for me. plus they came with a flare each time. haven't had it since 2007 now, knock on wood!

hi, if it is the same thing, ice really helped with the itchiness i found. the creams were more convenient, but the ice was more effective.

as for the comment about why so many years after developing AS? don't know, but can relate. i started with the inflammatory arthritis (upper back / ribs and wrists) in 1998, SI joined in the fun in 2000. then other joints / tendon insertions (entheses) at the joints along the way. the occasional odd rash didn't hit til 2006. and since then i've noticed mouth sores (never noticed them before) and development of dry eyes that comes with the flares then goes. the reasons? not really sure. but can relate.

Legg - See if there is a Sth A. AS Association. Also, perhaps get to a doctor who can refer you to a rheumy - you had the DX in one instance, AS doesn't go 'away'... Rash on shins. Look to dietary factors. Greens, fresh fruits. Prob not 'scurvy' (<VBG>) but check diet for good balance.

Otherwise, topical creams, like cooling, soothing - Camomile readily springs to mind.