itchy, burning, recurrent rash from last RAI?

[Gringirl]

I had 3 RAI treatments in the last year and a half, after the last one I had a macular, papular rash all over stomach, arms and legs, looked and felt like a bad sunburn.  Since then, about every 2-3 weeks I get another one, not quite as severe as that first one, but very itchy and red and burns, it lasts about a week and then I peel and just as i am done I get another one.  Could this still be connected with the radioactive iodine treatment.  About 1 month after The last RAI I started a new RX for blood pressure, could this be a factor?   I haven't been able to find any helpful answers.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

An allergic reaction to radioactive I-131 or I-123 is very rare, so would be inclined to think the blood pressure pill is more likely.

[Gringirl]

Hello Dr. Lupo,

Thanks for trying to answer my question.  I did not make myself very clear.  I got a small-scale, itchy rash the day after my last uptake and then I had to have another larger dose of RAI, 150mCi.  The day after this dose is when the rash grew, covering my stomach, shoulders, arms and legs.  It was real red, like a bad sunburn, bumpy, itchy.  I was treated with a week of steroids which helped some but the rash stayed a couple of weeks and peeled.  I was okay for about 3 1/2 weeks and then every 2 weeks since I get a rash very similar to that big one.  I have tried to get info about it, the only thing that sounds somewhat like mine is a radiation rash or radiation recall.  I haven't found any info that says internal radiation causes a rash, but that is when I got the rash.  My first and second doses of RAI were 100mCi.  I wonder if it all was just too much for my body to take in 13 months.
Thanks,   Gringirl