Are you experiencing a skin rash with rheumatoid arthritis?
Skin rashes can occur with RA for several reasons. Some are related to the disease itself, while others may be side effects of medications.
Common RA-related rashes include:
- Rheumatoid vasculitis - A purplish rash that appears when blood vessels become Show Full Answer
Are you experiencing a skin rash with rheumatoid arthritis?
Skin rashes can occur with RA for several reasons. Some are related to the disease itself, while others may be side effects of medications.
Common RA-related rashes include:
- Rheumatoid vasculitis - A purplish rash that appears when blood vessels become inflamed, usually in people with severe, long-term RA
- Eczema - An intensely itchy, red or purple rash that's more common in people with RA
- Sweet's syndrome and pyoderma gangrenosum - Rare inflammatory skin conditions linked to autoimmune problems
Medication-related rashes:
Some RA medications can cause itching or rashes as side effects. DMARDs like methotrexate, biologics, and JAK inhibitors (such as Rinvoq) may all cause skin reactions. Raised, itchy rashes could signal an allergic reaction to medication.
A myRAteam member shared: "When I'm in a bad RA flare, my rash gets worse and has blisters."
If you're experiencing a new rash, especially one that's painful, blistering, or accompanied by numbness, contact your rheumatologist right away. They can determine the cause and adjust your treatment if needed.
November 29, 2025
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