Gold Bond reaction?

[pilgrim1951]

I know that many here have sung the praises of GB and I have been using it for a few weeks now.  Initially, it was very beneficial and soothing, but now it almost seems to be causing an irritation to the areas that itch.  I am covered, to one degree  or another, with a rash that started around week eight or nine while on the current teleapevir tial.  Only my feet, hands and head are free from the rash, but the itching is mostly confined to my torso, with some occasional areas on arms and legs.  For a few days now after the immediate cooling/soothing effect, my skin almost feels worse.  Has anybody found GB to be problematic like this?  I'm afraid that I am aggrevating the condition more than helping.    I'm just not sure if this is a natural progression of the rash or a reaction to the GB.  Thanks for all the info and support here.

Pilgrim    

[merryBe]

how much is hydration, how much allergic reaction to the drug is why one size doesn't fit all.

also, the water and oils in lotions can me problematic. Many lotions are compounded with emollients and other irritants that actually are designed to force a pore to open and absorb the water and/or oils the body normally won't absorb.

For instance mineral oil is a main ingredient of most lotions and creams, the molecule is to big to absorb through the skin, so they get around this by adding chemicals to irritate the skin, at which point the pore opens larger to try to flush away the irritant, and the big greasy unhealthy mineral oil can seak in.  They only use this method because it is cheaper to use mineral oil than oils that are good for you.

I use light olive oil in a tempid bath. a couple teaspoons in the water will coat your skin and hair, and leave them supple and less dry over time, helping reduce the rash, which is patrially due to dehydration.
Be sure you use tepid water, and don't stay in too long, as long soaks or showers can do more harm.

If you use an RX to help with the itch, at least you aren't getting unknown drugs that may be hard on your liver, and you aren't getting fragrances either. The trouble is EVERYTHING has to be processed by the liver, and so even the supposedly mild gold bond can be hard on the liver. My nose and eyes also reacted badly to it's perfumes,
I did try it, but it's not going to work for everyone.
mb

[Isobella]

Definately stay out of the sun.....I am even getting my car windows tinted this weekend.  I am a total vampire these days.

Complex 15 sounds like a good choice =)

Funny-our posts crossed....hope the atarax works well for you.  You will get some good sleep from it, too!

[pilgrim1951]

Thanks for the replies.  I did see the study team last Friday and the Dr. prescribed Atarax which I started on Tuesday afternoon.  There is some improvement in the itch and my wife says the rash is better on my back, but that is where the itching is the most constant and irritating.  I haven't bathed since Tuesday morning (yuch!) to try and give my skin a chance to heal a little, but was wondering if the GB might be too strong for my skin, which has always been on the sensitive side.  I think I'll stop the GB for a while and give Cetaphil a try.

Has anyone use Complex 15 by Schering Plough?  It's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.  I have used it on my face after shaving for years  

It's funny, I have become very sensitive to the sun (even mentally) and that's before knowing how photo-sensitive we can become while on Tx.  Makes me feel like a vampire!  

Thanks again, Pilgrim

[Isobella]

I have always found that the one thing that helps my skin usually ends up irritating it after some point so I can relate to that.

On tx tho, definately try something organic...or with no added fragrance, ect.  Eucerin may be a good choice to try.  I have been using no moisturizers at all on the areas where my rash is...just a mild cortisone cream from the dermatologist.  Cortisone creams are allowed in this trial.

The study nurse says my rash is from the riba, not the telaprevir....but I guess we'll see if it gets better next week (12) when my triple therapy ends.  Hopefully you will get some relief at that point as well.

Almost forgot...I take atarax for the itching-it's not as drying as benedryl.

I hope you find some relief soon.  Hang in there :-)

Isobella

[FlGuy]

Some people in prior teleprivir trial report that little relief was to be found.  But in your ongoing spirit of experimentation, try different products on each arm or leg to compare which, if any, may provide more relief.

How may weeks do you get the teleprivir.  For example, it it elimated after 12 weeks?

[jmjm530]

It's contains menthol and other ingredients that can be very irritating to treatment sensitive skin. This is not a dig at "Gold Bond" but true of almost all moisturizers, at least for some of us. My dermatologist recommended the Cetaphil moisturizes and the Cream (not lotion) was the mildest. At one point my skin was so sensitive that all I could use was a Cetaphil mild cleanser without water per my derm's suggestion. Even water was irritating/dehydrating  my skin (water ironically can be dehydrating). Bottom line if it works, fine. If it doesn't dump it.