Lymphoma rash: what to know

Some lymphomas begin in immune cells in the skin and are called cutaneous lymphomas. Other lymphomas may cause an itchy rash as part of the illness, while treatment, allergy, eczema, infection, or medication can cause similar changes. The rash may be localised or widespread, flat or raised, and may come with dry skin, plaques, lumps, or enlarged lymph nodes. A clinician considers its appearance, distribution, duration, medicines, and associated symptoms; a skin examination or biopsy may be needed.

Photograph changes as they develop, record new soaps or medicines, and note itching, pain, blistering, fever, or night sweats; the [Night Sweats](/symptoms/night-sweats/) page may help with symptom details. Use gentle fragrance-free skin care and avoid scratching or applying steroid creams unless advised. Seek review for a rash that persists, spreads, bleeds, forms a non-healing area, or appears with swollen nodes. If lymphoma is confirmed, the plan may include [Radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/radiotherapy/), systemic treatment, or specialist skin care; see [Lymphoma](/conditions/lymphoma/) for context.

Get emergency help for facial or throat swelling, trouble breathing, fainting, or a rapidly spreading rash with severe illness. Contact a clinician urgently for blistering, skin peeling, painful purple spots, mouth or eye involvement, fever, or signs of infection such as increasing warmth and pus. The urgency comes from these warning features, not from assuming that the rash is lymphoma.

Ask whether the rash looks more like a skin condition, a medicine reaction, infection, or possible lymphoma; whether a dermatologist should examine it; and whether a biopsy is appropriate. If lymphoma is diagnosed, ask how the skin findings relate to the subtype, which treatments may improve them, and how to protect the skin during therapy.