Bactrim caused rash, persting for a week after stopping meds
I was taking Bactrim for a UTI, only a three day dose. On the third day I noticed that my skin felt itchy, but to be honest, I live in high, dry Colorado where this happens all the time so I really didn't give it a second thought. This turned into a brutal, full-blown rash a week ago.
Now it's been a full week of antihistamines and oatmeal baths, and the rash really doesn't seem to be getting any better. I went back to the doc on Tuesday (this Tuesday) for a steroid shot, which may have slightly lessened the itching but the bumps are still there. And every shower is TORTURE- the rash responds very very badly to heat and moisture.
I have no other symptoms- no fever, no nothing. But this rash is making me insane. I've been on Benadryl AND Claritin, neither seem to help at all. Hydrocortisone provides only brief repreive from the itching.
Is there anything else I could do? How long can I expect this to last? I had heard of sulfa reactions after ten days or more of medicine, but three days and I get this?
Re: Bactrim caused rash, persting for a week after stopping meds
Are you sure that's the cause? I've had rashes last weeks and weeks, but usually when I have a reaction to drugs, the first nice big dose of benadryl straightens it out.
Does the rash now look/feel like a burn? Dark red, scabby, blisters, anything like that? Sometimes, when I have a rash for too long, I get skin damage, and then I just gotta wait for it to heal.
Re: Bactrim caused rash, persting for a week after stopping meds
I was diagnosed with "drug rash" at the doctor's office, and she didn't act like it was anything terribly unusual. But she still didn't give me any idea of how long this will last. I do have very sensitive skin, so I'm wondering if that's why it's lingering. I've found that ibuprofen does a lot to bring the redness and itching down, so I'm taking 2 in the morning and 3 before bed.
Re: Bactrim caused rash, persting for a week after stopping meds
Did the doctor give you any steroids? when i had my allergic reaction to sulfa, i was a camp counselor in the sun most of the day with no ac. I had a head to toe rash. The urgent care doc gave me a shot of steroid/benadryl. It cleared up pretty quickly. I had some leftover bumps/itching but not bad for a couple of days
