Anyone get skin eruptions/bad rash from warfarin?

Hi: I'm new here. My husband (age 64) has a St. Jude valve, which was inserted about 7 years ago. Ever since he started warfarin, he has had itchy, bleeding skin breakouts all over his body. Very uncomfortable for him!

Worst of all, he ended up with a bacterial infection and high fever from the breakouts last year, causing small strokes. This even caused bacteria on the valve itself. He was hospitalized for a time, then went home and had to take strong antibiotics for several weeks. A medical procedure later showed the antibiotics, thankfully, did kill the bacteria on his heart valve.

His heart doctor and our family doctor have been working to find something else my husband can take, other than warfarin, for obvious reasons. So far, no success--because he has a mechanical valve. No real options, it appears. He could have the valve replaced with a non-mechanical valve but chooses not to have this major surgery (obviously, his current valve would have to be removed, also).

My husband is also seeing a dermatologist who had him try an oral medication for his skin, but it made little difference and may have even made the breakouts a little worse. My husband was told that skin tests show a fungi. However, we feel it's strange that the breakouts first occurred after he started warfarin, although perhaps the fungi is just the type of breakout, I don't know.

My husband is so hoping that another med, other than warfarin could be found. The doctors have looked into a few other things, but they are steroids and can't be used long term.

Has anyone else had this same issue? If so, any input/suggestions would be very appreciated. Thank you.

is his INR well controlled?

It sounds like this:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/petechiae/basics/causes/sym-20050724
but I see that its more likely exactly this

HisWife1982* said:

My husband was told that skin tests show a fungi.

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Generally its my experience after more than ten years here, more than ten years on warfarin and reading pretty extensively, that for a drug that has more than 2 million in the USA alone on it and has a greater than 70 years of usage in the US as well (President Truman was famously on it in 1952), if it had side effects which were even slightly common they'd be well known, studied and documented by now (as many are).

I think the issue is as identified ... a skin fungal infection. Bedding and chairs will also need to be treated for spoors as fungi are notoriously good survivors.

From a University press in Australia
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opin...g-people-pay-attention-to-deadly-fungal-.html

HisWife1982* said:

My husband is so hoping that another med, other than warfarin could be found.

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Why? I genuinely believe its the best medication we have.

if its because its improperly managed (which is pretty simple) then that can be fixed by properly managing it.

https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/09/managing-my-inr.html

Best Wishes

Petechiae don’t bleed thru skin, at least mine didn’t - they are under the skin, like bruises are. I’m wondering if your hubs’ rashes bleed more readily due to the warfarin, but are caused by the fungi? Is he taking any other meds? Poor guy that sounds terrible.

I have warfarin Petachie on the tops of my feet, ankles and now spreading up my shins,not much I can do about it.

Warrick said:

I have warfarin Petachie on the tops of my feet, ankles and now spreading up my shins,not much I can do about it.

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is it itchy?

Warrick said:

I have warfarin Petachie on the tops of my feet, ankles and now spreading up my shins,not much I can do about it.

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I can’t (and won’t) diagnose over the internet, but looks much like early stasis dermatitis. Could also have a fungal component. I’d recommend consulting with a podiatrist or dermatologist before assuming it’s due to the warfarin.

Lol it’s not dermatitis, it’s not itchy or a rash or dry, or flakey or fungal. It’s under the skin surface and been seen by a doctor years ago, where I was told something along the lines of that’s what you get being on warfarin lol
But thanks.

If it’s chronic it’s normal for you I’m sure, but when I had petechiae appear suddenly one evening, I was told to go to the emergency room as they can be a sign of endocarditis. Just so people know that’s a possibility esp with any other signs like fever. They’re under the skin surface, not itchy or painful like Warwick said, and if you press on them they don’t blanch or change color like rashes do. Mine looked like red freckles scattered under the skin. Good to know warfarin is a potential cause as well.

If your husband is also on Bisoprolol to regulate his hear rate as a beta blocker, then THAT has a very high impact on Psoriasis-types of skin issues. I was put on Bisoprolol myself after my mechanicals were installed and I came out with dreadful Psoriasis, until I was take off Bisoprolol. I was put on a replacement and the skin healed-up really quickly. Hope this helps..

Warrick said:

Lol it’s not dermatitis, it’s not itchy or a rash or dry, or flakey or fungal. It’s under the skin surface and been seen by a doctor years ago, where I was told something along the lines of that’s what you get being on warfarin lol
But thanks.

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You need to see a skin doctor, you may have dermatitis or allergic reaction to a med. Been years since you had it checked, time to have it looked at again. I get wounds from edema and weeping edema. Took 35 years before I was finally diagnosed properly.

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies! I will pass them along to my husband. Many things to consider and explore.
He doesn't take any other medications. He has an appointment next week with his dermatologist, so hopefully he'll get more answers.
Thank you again--very appreciated. I hope you are all doing well.