Prednisone and Rash: What Users Say

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2019

For Allergic Reactions "Had an allergic reaction to a hair conditioner; redness, itchy rashes, and swelling started on my ears, then neck, and face. I tried 3 types of antihistamines for about 4 days and it was only getting worse. Then my doctor prescribed prednisone 50 mg once a day for 5 days. I was so concerned about the side effects that I read in the reviews, but I was desperate and decided to start the treatment. Within 20 minutes after taking the first pill, my skin wasn't as itchy, and it stopped spreading on my arms. On the 2nd day, my face improved a lot, and by the 3rd day, the rashes were gone! I am very thankful for this medication and happy to report there were no side effects for me whatsoever! Hope that helps!"

• dax...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2014

For COPD "I have COPD. Experienced an exacerbation of the condition one evening. Went to ER. Coughing, shortness of breath, and difficult breathing. I was given a Nebulizer treatment with the medication Albuterol Sulfate in ER and sent home with a Nebulizer machine to do the breathing treatment 2x daily, AM and PM. Also, given 2 Prednisone before leaving ER with a prescription for 14 tabs taken at various intervals until gone. I really felt great, full of energy, but as down to the last of the medicine, feeling very achy all over, rather flu-like. I know it is going off the Prednisone, as I have taken it before some time ago, and you just kind of 'crash' when you stop."

• Dod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Skin Rash "I was prescribed a 5-day course of prednisone, 20 mg x 2 tabs per day. Prednisone did nothing to help alleviate my itchy rash. In fact, my rash accelerated and became inflamed, and significant swelling around my throat and face occurred."

• Rai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have stiffness in my lower back, pain in the neck area, and hips for many years, but the pain is tolerable. I also get periodic muscle stabs of pain followed by a twitch like when you fall asleep. From time to time, the pain would get bad, and I would need to take pain medications. Narcotics never worked, but Toradol would work well. HOWEVER, when I had an allergic reaction to Toradol with hives and itching and went to the ER, they gave me prednisone. Within two days of taking prednisone, I had SO MUCH energy and was pain FREE. I felt like I was 20 years old again. I had the ambition to get things done. I felt SO good. I felt like I discovered the fountain of youth. I don't know if it is coincidence, but I never had the pain until I contracted HSV."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "Taken for severe hives, rash, itching. Allergic to the world. However, it has also made my joint pain so much better, places I didn't realize were that swollen! Now I'm wondering what else is going on. Good experience this time around. Was on 60 mg/day for 5 days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "Taken for severe hives, rash, itching. Allergic to the world. However, it has also made my joint pain so much better, places I didn't realize were that swollen! Now I'm wondering what else is going on. Good experience this time around. Was on 60 mg/day for 5 days."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2009

For Sinusitis "I've been taking this on and off for a few months now (but taking as prescribed) for chronic and severe sinus infections. I recently had surgery for it and am still taking it. I am honestly hoping to be off it soon. I have noticed several side effects: I can't sleep well but always feel tired and without energy; I'm moody; excessive sweating with a horrible breakout or rash over my chest, shoulders, and back; my skin is dry and my face looks fuller."

• Jes...
• August 2, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "I had a really bad reaction to poison ivy on my knee. Huge blisters and burning. I started on 60 mg of prednisone, and after a couple of days, my knee cleared up a lot. I think I am having a reaction, though. My torso feels itchy, like wearing a cheap wool sweater. After two days, I noticed minor hives, but over a large area of my hips, waist, and chest."

• Alv...
• October 7, 2013

For Allergic Reactions "I had a severe allergic reaction to shellfish twice, and I took prednisone 10 mg for 5 days. The skin rash and itchiness were gone in 3 days. Six months later, I experienced the same condition. I suspect this time it was caused by taking vitamins. The rash and itchiness were gone in 3 days. I recommend this medicine."

• Chr...
• November 27, 2014

For Allergic Reactions "I'm very allergic to certain pet dander, my eyes swell shut and itch. I also get an itchy rash on my forehead, neck, inner forearms, and sides (probably I'm causing it to spread when I itch). When it gets bad, I get a corticosteroid shot and prednisone. Within 24 hours, all the inflammation has subsided. I would take it more often if it weren't so harmful for my body."

• Cat...
• February 16, 2020

For Allergic Reactions "On 50 mg of prednisone for five days, prescribed because of wasp stings, but was too afraid to take the medication, kept it around and had a bad rash and itch outbreak behind my knees, between my fingers, and eventually on my face, bad! Thought I would try the prednisone. I have to say I was blown away by this drug! After 3 days, the rash was 90% gone and then all gone. Had a rash for over a month using a corticosteroid Rx with Benadryl to no avail. What also happened is I got a lot of energy and felt really good, and it probably had a lot to do with my arthritis symptoms in other parts of my body virtually disappearing. I also have plantar fasciitis, and that caused a lot of pain whenever I walked, but for five days I was going for hour and 70-minute walks, walking very briskly without pain at all! All arthritic pain was gone too and plantar fasciitis pain! Relief!!"

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "Put on it as a trial basis for an extreme allergic reaction. Before, I could barely breathe, my face swelled, and my lips were massive. After taking it for one day, my facial swelling is almost gone. I'm a little hungry, and it's causing some restlessness, but it's helping with the hives so much. Glad it's a trial basis and that it's working."

• Jud...
• December 13, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "I'm taking Prednisone as follow-up to being hospitalized for pneumonia a couple of weeks ago. I was also taking an antibiotic, Clindamycin, when I developed hives. I immediately thought it was the Clindamycin because I'm allergic to Neosporin (Neomycin) and stopped taking it 4 days ago. I waited for the rash to clear, but it hasn't. Then I thought, 'Why do I have an allergic reaction to something when I'm taking a steroid?' Bingo! Looked up side effects of Prednisone and there it was: rare reaction of hives. Looked it up just right after I took my 2nd half-tablet. No more Prednisone for me!"

• Mar...
• June 28, 2017

For Skin Rash "I have a lower left leg rash, my doctor prescribed antibiotics twice, different strengths, no results. Then I was prescribed Betaderm Ointment for my leg and Prednisone 50 mg tablets, one daily for five days. After taking four Prednisone tablets, I got an itchy rash all over my body. That was the end of May. No more drugs for me. I still have the rash and try alternative methods."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

For Eczema "As a kid, I had eczema on the back of my knees, elbow creases, wrists, neck, and feet, which I grew out of as a teenager. About 32 years old, I started to get a rash on my chest, neck, all down my legs, and face. Drove me crazy. I was desperate. Went private, and the doc gave me prednisolone. Worked great for a few weeks (skin was all clear) until weaning off. Not only did it come back on my chest and legs, it came back where I had it as a kid and all over my head. Same doc then sent me for UVB treatment for 18 months. Worked great till I weaned off, then it all came back again. I found a food intolerance tester, tests told me I was intolerant to milk, tea (not caffeine), and blackcurrant. Cut them out completely for 3 months, and my skin all cleared up apart from my scalp. Scalp never completely clear but manageable with scalp cream. 5 years on, I've learned I can manage my eczema by the food I eat. Wish I never took prednisolone. I think it's called Vega testing. A machine measures your resistance to certain food in amps (I think)."

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2014

For Gouty Arthritis "Been experiencing large hives on feet and hands for several years due to chronic Lyme. When first started experiencing joint pain in mid-foot joint between small toe and ankle, I assumed it was more of the same but did not go away in the typical 24 hrs last week. In fact, it got worse over several days while traveling for work. When I got to my daughter's, she made me see a doctor immediately and I was diagnosed with gout. They prescribed 3-20 mg for 3 days with 1/2 tab reduction each 3 days until completing the script. Pain subsided within 30 min of the first day, but pain did reoccur approx 18 hrs later as prednisone wore off. I took the 2nd dose, same results, decreased inflammation and better mobility. It's been 13 hours and cannot sleep, foot feels hot."

• reg...
• October 31, 2016

For Allergic Reactions "I had hives. Got prescribed this. About 4 days into taking it, every time I shut my eyes, something I was scared of would fly at my face, making me jolt up and open my eyes. I didn't sleep for about 36 hours. Even me knowing and thinking it was not real did not help even the slightest. Nothing helped, I just had to wait until it was out of my system enough for it to stop. But every single noise was amplified and scary. My boyfriend would knock into something, and it would send me into a panic. He would say something or even move enough for my vision to catch it, and I would actually jump and get scared. Basically, everything was terrifying, and I couldn't shut my eyes for more than about 2 seconds without it happening."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Raynaud's. I have taken prednisone oral solution (Roxane Westward) for over 22 years. It worked very well. Unfortunately, when I picked up my new prescription, I experienced a red rash on my chin and facial swelling. My prednisone dose has not changed (5 mg/ml alternating with 2.5 mg/5 ml). My rheumatologist thinks that I am reacting to a new binder in the medication or that they have increased the amount of propylene glycol in the medication. (??) Just curious - has anyone else had an allergic reaction to the new prednisone oral solution made by Hikma? Thank you."

• kal...
• February 22, 2022

For Psoriasis "Had widespread psoriasis and prurigo. Rash and hives at night, so I could not sleep. Doctor gave me a steroid shot + 10 days of 20 mg prednisone. It was like magic, 90% clearing, and my skin had not felt this good in the last two years. It will be temporary, but gives me time to seek a biologic instead of the standard dermatologist treatment with clobetasol, etc."

• kal...
• February 22, 2022

For Psoriasis "Had widespread psoriasis and prurigo. Rash and hives at night, so I could not sleep. Doctor gave me a steroid shot + 10 days of 20 mg prednisone. It was like magic, 90% clearing, and my skin had not felt this good in the last two years. It will be temporary, but gives me time to seek a biologic instead of the standard dermatologist treatment with clobetasol, etc."

• Sar...
• July 9, 2018

For Crohn's Disease, Active "I have been recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I was advised to start Humira injections, but I was too scared. So, I decided to go for Prednisolone. I began with 40 mg per day. Symptoms of Crohn's soon improved, but the side effects of prednisone itself were really, really nasty. I have lightheadedness, spinning in my head, weakness of muscles, unable to walk normally, blurred vision, dryness of eyes and mouth, shaking hands, insomnia, increased appetite, skin rash, panic-like attacks. I eventually got Humira and am now tapering down the Prednisolone. I've been on Prednisolone for more than a month."

• Evi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2021

For Systemic Sclerosis "High dose initially got excessive swelling in my hands and an itchy rash on my legs under control, then reduced down to a 5mg maintenance dose. The medication also helped with chronic pain from an old back injury to a point it hardly bothered me anymore! The steroid made my joints ache, though, especially those in my hands, and my carpal tunnel was much worse. When there was a delay in my prescription, I reduced my dose (took half doses to make the tablets last longer): the rash stayed away, and joint pain reduced. Next prescription delay, I had no tablets left, so I had to go cold turkey: I was fatigued, but it was OK. I wasn't given Vit D or calcium, though, and was told I should have been as prednisone has depleted my Vit D levels, leading to other problems now."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "I was prescribed prednisone drops 4 times daily for 2 weeks, then 2 times daily for 2 weeks for cataract surgery. As soon as I stopped entirely, I started getting a rash on my shin, feet, hips, abdomen, lower back, arms/shoulders, and scalp. It's spreading and becoming more severe daily. Since there have been no other changes in habit, diet, or environment, I am attributing the rash to possible prednisone rebound. I had a similar rash 2 years ago after a course of penicillin. (Side note: while on the drops, the puffiness and drooping nature of my eyelid disappeared so that my two eyes looked very different. Too bad the drug has so many side effects-it could be used instead of eyelid surgery.)"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Been on Prednisone along with an antibiotic for a bronchial infection. Day 4 of Pred, I suddenly developed hives and itching skin everywhere. I am not sure if it was the antibiotic, but it's probably more likely that I was allergic to the antibiotic. My face and lip got swollen with hives. It came on pretty quickly. Ran out, got Benadryl, and the reaction is subsiding slowly. After sleepless nights with this drug, I’ll welcome the sleepy relief of Benadryl! I felt like it loosened up the mucus in my infection the first day and allowed me to cough off more, but this is the end of the road for this drug for me forever. Grateful it didn’t get any worse before I got Benadryl."

• MsZ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2022

For Skin Rash "I had surgery, and as soon as I got to the 5th day of my 6-day tapered pack, I started to see a rash develop. I thought it was from the adhesives used on the bandages and tape. Well, by day 7, I was popping Benadryl, and it was really doing nothing for the insane itching and rash that was growing everywhere. I had my husband pull back the sheets because I thought a spider was in the bed biting me or something. The rash was becoming lumpy and nodular to the touch. It looked as if I had mosquito bites and skin burns. My surgeon's assistant told me to go to urgent care. The urgent care doctor said, 'Yikes, that's angry, you need steroids.' I was put on 60 mg for 4 days, 40 mg for 3 days, and 20 mg for 3 days. I took my first dose the next day as my prescription wasn't available that evening after leaving urgent care, by nightfall, I wasn't trying to scratch as much. The next morning, 24 hours later, the rash wasn't as raised as it was initially. Day 2, I could still see red areas. Day 3, it's kinda gone."