What does persistent itching feel like with graft-versus-host disease?

After a transplant, itching may appear with a red, dry, rough or sensitive rash. Skin can feel tight, hot, flaky or sore, and scratching may create cracks or bleeding. Graft-versus-host disease can also affect areas such as the mouth, eyes or digestive tract, so report new dryness, soreness, diarrhoea or abdominal symptoms. Other causes include dry skin, allergy, infection and medicines, making the timing and examination important.

Tell your transplant or oncology team about new or worsening itching, especially if it follows a new rash or other body changes. Record when it began, where it is, what the rash looks like, and any recent medicine changes. Use only skin products approved by your team, avoid fragranced products and hot water, and protect damaged skin from scratching. Do not change immune-suppressing treatment independently.

Contact the care team urgently for rapidly spreading rash, blistering, peeling, fever, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, painful sores, or skin that is hot and oozing. Report diarrhoea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or inability to drink promptly because graft-versus-host disease can involve more than the skin.

Ask whether the rash and itch fit graft-versus-host disease, which moisturisers are safe, how to protect broken skin, and which symptoms require same-day contact. Ask whether any current medicine could worsen dryness or itching.