Itching

[Jenge]

Is itching a sx? What can you do to ease it?

[Sentinel13]

For me, Zyrtec worked for about a week, but then I needed a prescription. My "itching" felt like I was being poked with pins (especially on my legs and especially at night when my legs got warm under the covers). My body also became super sensitive to static electricity. My GI doc used to be in general practice and she correctly prescribed Gabapentin to address this "being poked with pins" side effect. Cheers, GB

[ninjamonkey]

I can't use ice and cold stuff it hurts my skin makes me feels more on fire. Like chapped hard to explain

[BoceprevirGal]

I had been using the Tide Unscented Detergent, when I first started my Tx, but I found myself itchy, with tiny lil bumps where my fabric was touching my skin, like end of (short) sleeves, so I switched to an even milder detergent, it's a powder, called Country Save, it's also unscented. Your clothes wont smell "fresh" but they will be clean, and it cleared my itching right up, to switch detergs.
   Also, I only put natural products on my skin, organic, etc. Avoid scented products, and deodorants, and wear soft, loose clothing, with natural fibers~
   In other-words, go Hippy, lol

[belle19]

if i felt a little itchy i'd use gold bond medicated lotion.  the green bottle with the red cap.  at night i take 1/2 benadryl.  it helps.  also drink a lot of water.  best wishes.  belle

[flcyclist]

I was also taking just Interferon/Riba and had a few bouts of a very nasty rash.  It didn't start getting bad until a month into tx until the body was saturated by the meds.  For me, it was the heat/sun/sweating that seem to trigger the rash.  So do your best to try to stay cool and avoid sweating too much.  As mentioned above, don't take hot showers or baths.  Stay well hydrated and apply lotion often, before you notice your skin is drying.  Antihistamines helped me, just figure out what works best for you.  If the rash starts getting worse, don't delay talking to you doc for an rx as some mentioned above.   Even without telap, the rash can be a real bugger and make tx a bigger challenge if left unresolved.  Good luck.

[Advocate1955]

My husband's doctor prescribed Atarax and Triamcinolone ointment.  She also told him to use Eucerin body wash in the shower and Eucerin cream after showering.  Sometimes he would stand in front of an open freezer door, stand outside, or put ice on especially itchy spots.  It is a side effect of Incivek.
Advocate1955

[belle19]

i had a bad rash in the beginning of tx.  it turned out that i had changed laundry detergents.  i had bought "ecos" from costco.  it has coconut oils in it and it turned out i'm allergic to the oils.  i had to rewash all my tops with all free and clear.  i had never been allergic to anything before that.  go figure.  since then, no rash.  i'm now in my 45th week, so nearing the end.  best wishes.  belle

[brianmo]

Oh my,the itching. That was my worse SE.  I used every lotion that was suggested, 3 dermatoligist, LOTS of water and antihistamines. That was a trial and error also, I found Zertex worked the best but that is just me. Benadryl wiped my already wiped out body out so that was no longer an option.  A few times I got so bad my husband would pack me in icepacks to cool me down.  The funny thing is, I never had a rash I could show a doctor.  Felt like creepy crawly things on my body.  What worked for me the best from a doctor was as uncledudeness stated earlier, Clobestal. I did not find a doctor who suggested this until last week of tx.  Its now been 24 days since EOT and my scalp still itches but skin is about 90% better. What a relief.  And, oh yes, I am UND since week 4.  That is the most important part.

[Revalation]

I took Benadryl and it seemed to help.
Haven't been itching lately.
Keep your skin "lotioned up."
Also tried Gold Bond Lotion in the green bottle with the red top.
It's for itchy and dry skin. It also helped. I got it at Target, but
I think you can find it at most large dept. stores,

Reva

[hepchubby907]

My wife used the skin cream from a company called Seacret, which reportedly contains minerals from the Dead Sea.  Its over the counter and the company has numerous differant products, some of which are very expensive.  I'm not associated with the company at all and I'm not promoting them, I'm just letting everyone know that the minute my wife used the skin cream her itching stopped.  She uses it a couple of times a day now with zero itching.  The skin cream is not too expensive, you can get some on Amazon and other web sites, including the Seacret company's.  The company also has small booths in shooping malls, in bigger cities.  We live in Texas and I have seen them through the state.

[uncledudeness]

i had and still have itching. my DR prescribed Clobetasol ointment. i use it as when the itch starts; usually on my arms or legs. it helps a lot. i think it is from bile salts being carried to the skin...not too sure on the "how it happens", but that's what i came across when i googled it...i also have allergies and i take antihistamines too. with me, it's like someone is taking a needle and poking me a thousand times...it sux....hey, maybe someone has a voodoo doll and they are poking me....hmmmmm, how do get rid of a curse.....oh i know, my next round of treatment will do it....good luck

[suezeeque]

I would get REALLY itchy after my shots.  A few hours after.  

I took Benadryl 1/2 hour before the shot.  Again before I went to bed.

I found something that works for me:  menthol.  If you don't have a rash or any broken skin, try rubbing a little muscle rub on the itch.  Something like A535.  "Counter irritant".

[ninjamonkey]

Also have u changed your soap or laundry soap? Or check and see if you change it if it helps I had to change laundry soap once I started treatment and most dented lotions and oils mess with me bad. But my skin is actually pretty good I'm blessed in that regard. Oh use sun block even if you don't have a rash the sun can cause u to itch and cause rash to worsen if someone else reading this does have rash. If you can avoid it don't stay in sun for long periods of time.

[orphanedhawk]

I had the itching the first time I did tx.
What worked best was using oatmeal based skin products, oils or lotions without fragrance.
I found wearing soft cotton or silk and taking cool showers helped as well.

[Jenge]

Just RIBA & peg , no rash. It started when I first began tx, then went away. And now is back. I told the nurse about it, they keep  asking about it, but last time I was there I told her it was gone. I wonder if it's from my soap or lotion or ??? I thought I read something about tx causing sensitivity ??
Thanks Jen

[helphubby82]

What medication are you on ? the soc or the new triple tx? do you have a rash along with the itch?