What Does a Rash From Hodgkin Lymphoma Look Like?

While a physical skin rash is highly characteristic of certain types of lymphoma, it is a relatively rare symptom for individuals diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Instead, it often produces severe, persistent skin itching (pruritus) without any visible surface changes.

Quick Facts: Lymphoma Rash vs. Itching

• Systemic Itching (Pruritus): The primary skin-related symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is intense itchiness rather than a visible rash. This is caused by cytokines (immune system chemicals) irritating dermal nerve endings.
• Nighttime Spikes: This persistent itchiness typically concentrates in the hands, lower legs, or feet, and patients frequently report that the sensation worsens significantly at night while in bed.
• The Cutaneous Lymphoma Presentation: When a true lymphoma rash does occur, it is usually a sign of cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma (such as mycosis fungoides). Early stages present as small patches of dry, red, or scaly skin on the torso or buttocks that easily mimic eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis.
• Advanced Skin Progressions: If left unchecked, cutaneous lymphoma can cause the skin to thicken into itchy plaques, form small raised bumps (papules), or evolve into erythroderma (widespread skin reddening and scaling).

Other Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms

In addition to itchiness triggered by the release of cytokines, individuals with Hodgkin lymphoma may experience the following symptoms:

• Lymph node swelling, particularly in the neck, armpits, stomach or groin
• A low-grade fever accompanied by chills
• Severe night sweats
• Physical, mental or emotional exhaustion
• Unexplained weight loss
• Other issues specific to the location of the lymphoma, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a feeling of being full

I’m pretty sure my journey would've been different if I hadn't come to Moffitt.

Neisha

Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor

Rashes caused by skin lymphoma

Although Hodgkin lymphoma generally doesn’t cause a rash, other forms of lymphoma can. For instance, skin lymphoma—a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma—can cause skin irritation. There are various types of skin lymphoma, including T-cell skin lymphoma and B-cell skin lymphoma. The most common form of T-cell skin lymphoma—accounting for almost half of all skin lymphoma cases—is mycosis fungoides (MF).

It’s important to note that although skin lymphoma develops in the skin, it’s not a type of skin cancer. What’s more, another type of lymphoma that starts elsewhere in the body and then spreads to the skin is not skin lymphoma.

When a rash caused by skin lymphoma (also referred to as cutaneous lymphoma) is in its early stages, it often presents as small patches of dry, red skin on the torso, buttocks or another area of the body. At this stage, the rash often resembles dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis. Certain areas of skin may also thicken, harden and form plaques that itch and ulcerate. Typically, these plaques develop on the face or buttocks or within skin folds. As a skin lymphoma rash progresses, papules (small bumps) may start to appear. Some individuals with skin lymphoma also experience erythroderma, a reddening of the skin that’s often accompanied by dryness, itchiness and scaliness.

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Moffitt’s approach to lymphoma diagnosis and treatment

If you’re experiencing a skin rash, itchiness or any other symptoms associated with lymphoma, you can turn to Moffitt Cancer Center for a diagnosis and treatment. We take a multispecialty approach to cancer care, and our renowned Malignant Hematology Program includes board-certified surgeons and physicians, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurses, researchers and supportive care specialists who work closely together on behalf of our patients. Each week, our tumor board of cancer specialists meets to review complex cases and make any necessary treatment adjustments. Thanks to our collaborative approach, our patients receive the benefit of multiple expert opinions without the need for referrals.

To request an appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center, call us at 1-888-663-3488 or fill out our new patient registration form online. Something that sets us apart from other cancer treatment providers is our exceptionally quick turnaround time—we connect each new patient with a cancer expert as soon as possible.